Long Marston could become home to a test track for Hitachi Rail Europe and Bombardier, if plans receive local authority approval.
The two manufacturers are planning a partnership with QRTC to invest in the Warwickshire site, and create up to 50 new jobs. It is planned the site would be operational from 2022.
Type approval, endurance testing, commissioning and acceptance, and signal integration testing would be carried out at the site.
The aim is to create a “world-class test centre” for commuter trains built at Newton Aycliffe and Derby Litchurch Lane. The companies are bidding for the Deep Tube Upgrade train contracts as a Joint Venture, while both are also bidding to supply new trains for the next South Eastern franchise.
A planning application will be submitted to Stratford-upon-Avon District Council, and a public consultation has been carried out already.
- For the full story, read RAIL 847, published on February 28, and available digitally on iPad and Android from February 24.
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James miller - 16/02/2018 10:01
Looks like a sensible idea!
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AndrewJGwilt1989 - 16/02/2018 15:11
Sounds good. That’s where Vivarail are based at and are continuously converting the former LU D78 stocks (Class 230 DEMU D-Trains). With some to be transferred to WM Trains for the Bletchley-Bedford Line that will start service from late this year.
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