A new railway depot in Bletchley has completed a major, multi-million-pound redevelopment, marking a key milestone in the rollout of one of Britain’s newest train fleets. The £80 million investment will enable the depot to stable and maintain London Northwestern Railway‘s (LNR) new Class 730/2 electric trains.
The completion was officially announced by LNR and Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, at a special event on Friday, 12th September. The new fleet, consisting of 36 five-carriage trains, entered service on routes to and from London Euston over the summer, bringing a 20% uplift in capacity to the West Coast Main Line. The trains feature open gangways, charging points at every seat, and intelligent air conditioning.
To accommodate the modern fleet, Bletchley depot’s main shed has been extended with new servicing sidings, improved inspection facilities, and new train lifting equipment. The overhead electrified lines have also been replaced.
The upgrades will benefit passengers on routes between Crewe and London, and Northampton and London.
John Doughty, engineering director at London Northwestern Railway, said: “We are so pleased to celebrate the completion of these important and transformative upgrades. Having cutting edge equipment and more space in our sidings means our trains can be serviced and maintained more quickly, so we can offer a more reliable service for our passengers.”
Lord Peter Hendy, the Minister of State for Rail, said: “I’m delighted to see the transformation that has taken place at Bletchley depot, made possible by significant government support and a great collaborative effort between London Northwestern Railway and its delivery partners. The new trains entering service will provide a much better experience for passengers along the route, connecting millions of people to jobs, education, and leisure opportunities. I look forward to seeing their smooth introduction being completed and enjoying a journey myself in the coming months.”
The upgrades were primarily funded by rolling stock company Porterbrook, with additional support from the Department for Transport. The work was carried out by Taylor Woodrow.
Stefan Rose, chief investment officer at Porterbrook, said: “Working in partnership with London Northwestern Railway and the Department for Transport, these impressive upgrades highlight the important role that private finance can play in maintaining and enhancing rail infrastructure to deliver a better service for passengers.”
This project is part of a wider £1 billion investment into new trains and infrastructure by LNR and its sister company, West Midlands Railway. Separate upgrade work is also underway at the company’s depot in Tyseley, Birmingham.
