West Midlands Railway Completes £5 Million Depot Upgrade in Coventry

West Midlands Railway (WMR) has successfully completed a £5 million upgrade at its Coventry North Yard depot, enhancing the maintenance and stabling facilities for its new Class 730 electric trains.

The upgrades, showcased to local authorities and industry representatives on Friday, include new toilet waste extraction technology, improved walkways, smart lighting, enhanced CCTV, and upgraded staff rooms. These improvements will streamline maintenance operations, allowing for the simultaneous cleaning of six Class 730 trains and ensuring the fleet remains clean and operational for passengers.

The Coventry North Yard depot plays a crucial role in supporting the Class 730 fleet, which entered service last year across the operators Midlands network. The upgrades are part of a broader £1 billion investment by WMR and its sister company, London Northwestern Railway, in new trains and infrastructure across the region.

"Investing in our depots is paramount to improving the quality of service for our passengers," said John Doughty, Engineering Director at West Midlands Railway. "This upgrade at Coventry North Yard not only enhances our operational efficiency but also supports the creation of new jobs within the local community."

The project has also led to the creation of four new full-time positions at the depot,

Councillor Pervez Akhtar from Coventry City Council said: “We are very impressed with the work carried out at Coventry North Yard to improve the site and are pleased to see that new jobs have been created as a result. Gaining a position at the depot offers a fantastic opportunity to be part of the railway industry, where workers can expand their skills and enjoy a career for life.”

The Class 730 trains serve numerous locations across the West Midlands, including the Cross City Line in Birmingham, routes between Rugeley and Birmingham International, and services between Wolverhampton and Walsall.

This is the first of several upgrades that WMR is planning, along with ongoing improvements at Soho depot in Smethwick and Tyseley depot in Birmingham.