Spencer Rail Engineering is progressing construction of Greater Anglia’s new £17m wheel lathe facility at Clacton Depot, a project set to reshape how the operator maintains its fleet and improve long-term reliability across the network.
Delivered with support from the Department for Transport, the scheme has moved steadily through key construction stages, with close collaboration between all parties helping to maintain momentum on a highly constrained site.
A wheel lathe allows trains to have their wheels re-profiled on site, removing flat spots caused by daily wear and tear. Each wheel is precisely measured, the required material removal calculated, and the profile restored before final checks confirm compliance with operational standards. The result is smoother running and faster return to service.
At Clacton, Spencer Rail Engineering has completed the majority of complex underground works, including drainage installation, enabling above-ground construction to advance at pace. The steel frame is now erected, internal servicing pits are prepared for fit-out and roof cladding has been completed. Side cladding works are under way to make the building fully watertight in the coming weeks.
The wheel lathe itself, manufactured by German specialist Hegenscheidt-MFD, has been integrated into the facility design to ensure seamless installation and long-term operational performance. The project also involves new track infrastructure adjacent to live passenger lines, requiring careful sequencing, rigorous safety controls and detailed stakeholder coordination to limit disruption.
Ryan Jones, Delivery Director at Spencer Rail Engineering, said:
“We are pleased to see our Clacton Wheel Lathe project progressing strongly through the construction phase. The project has presented a significant number of engineering challenges, particularly due to the extremely constrained nature of the site.”
“Meticulous planning, sequencing of works and close collaboration between all stakeholders has been essential to safely deliver the scheme whilst having minimal impact on surrounding operational infrastructure.”
“A special mention to the project team for their persistence and getting us to where we are now. We are currently targeting EIS (Entry Into Service) in July 2026, and the team remains focused on the remaining stages of the build, commissioning and engineering assurance to achieve the end goal.”
For Greater Anglia, the facility marks a first. Andrew Goodrum, Infrastructure & Major Projects Director, said:
“The installation of the new wheel lathe at the Clacton Depot is the first time that Greater Anglia has had its own permanent wheel lathe facility.
“Not only will this £17m investment into Clacton improve the performance and reliability of services in the region, but it will also provide many new, highly skilled jobs.
“Once complete, trains will be able to be serviced much quicker than before, allowing them to return to passenger service faster.”
Scheduled for completion in summer 2026, the 5,000-square-metre facility will provide Greater Anglia with its first dedicated in-house wheel turning capability. Once operational, it will support the maintenance of the Class 745, Class 720 and Class 755 fleets, strengthening resilience and performance across the network.
