Porterbrook is continuing with its ambitious plans for Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire as it confirmed it will be electrifying and renewing the £3.5 kilometre (5.6 miles) test track.
The development which Porterbrook anticipate will be finished by the end of 2025 will take the company’s investment to £75 million since it took over operations at the centre in 2021.
The company announced last month that it had taken over the freehold of the site from property company St. Modwen after overseeing the transformation of the site including improving access, training and office facilities enhancements and replacing old storage buildings.
Once complete, trains will be able to be tested at speeds of up to 50mph and crucially support the new European Train Control System (ETCS) in cab signalling. The £1 billion East Coast Digital Programme currently under development on the East Coast Mainline has the installation of ETCS at core of its programme and it is anticipated that ETCS will be rolled out across other main lines in the future.
As well as the digital signalling capabilities, several traction modes will also be compatible on the test track with hydrogen, diesel, and battery all possible.
Mary Grant, CEO of Porterbrook commented: “With the future of Long Marston now confirmed we’ve wasted no time starting the next phase of the site improvements to reinforce our commitment to being a long-term partner for the rail industry.
“Substantial replacement of life-expired vehicles is needed over the next decade, and the track upgrades mean that we can deliver the best level of service with our manufacturing partners to provide a full turnkey solution for new rolling stock entering service.”
Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre will continue to host RAIL Magazine’s annual two-day Rail Live event, the UK’s largest outdoor rail exhibition taking place on 19/20 June.
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