Construction has now commenced to further modernise Porterbrook’s Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre (RIC) in Warwickshire with a 3.5km electrified track.

This major development to the UK railway’s only test loop will open the site for electric fleets at speeds of up to 50mph, alongside hydrogen, battery and diesel vehicles. There will also be the capability to support European Train Control System (ETCS) in cab signalling in the future.

Mary Grant, Porterbrook CEO said: “We’re pressing ahead with our ambitious plans at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre, investing over £75m to deliver exceptional facilities for our customers and manufacturing partners. With these significant upgrades we can provide the best level of service and a full turnkey solution for new rolling stock entering service.”

The company has overseen a transformation of the 135-acre mainline connected site, including tarmacking roads to significantly improve access, upgrading lighting and installing a new state-of-the-art security system. There are now enhanced training and office facilities, and old storage buildings have been replaced with similar structures to maintain the heritage of the former Royal Engineers’ WWII supply depot.

The fully renovated Asset Management Facility opened in April 2023, providing a high-quality space for maintenance and upgrades complete with three pitted roads, able to accommodate vehicles of up to 23 metres. Chrysalis Rail, the UK rolling stock service supplier, is a valued partner to Porterbrook with a permanent presence at the site.

Siemens Mobility will design, supply, install and commission all electrification and signalling works. In a UK first, the company will introduce the innovative Rail Charging Converter (RCC), a containerised solution that plugs directly into the local power grid using an 11kV charge, cutting delivery times for traditional electrification projects from seven years to as little as 18 months. Their Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) solution, Sicat SX, will provide span lengths of more than 110 metres between supports, a 50% increase compared to standard solutions, making it cheaper to install and maintain.

Rob Morris, Joint UK&I CEO and Managing Director for Rail Infrastructure, Siemens Mobility said: “This project is a testament to collaboration, integrating track, signalling, and trains together to transform rail travel and transport for Britian. As a technology leader, Siemens Mobility is excited to be playing a key role in providing game-changing electrification and signalling solutions that will reduce overall costs, lower carbon emissions and enhance efficiency.”

Trackwork has been appointed to design, supply and install in excess of 11km of track, including sidings, as well as modifications to the existing road layout and level crossings.

Simon Lee, Rail Director of Trackwork said: “We are incredibly pleased to collaborate with Porterbrook on this high-profile project. With a proven track record in delivering complex test track and depot projects, we are excited to bring our expertise to this significant redevelopment. This partnership highlights our ability to deliver tailored, innovative rail solutions, and we look forward to working closely with Porterbrook to bring this vision to life”

Notes

About Siemens Mobility’s Sicat SX and Rail Charging Converter:

Sicat SX, is Siemens Mobility’s proven innovative and reliable OLE, providing span lengths of more than 110 metres between supports, an increase of more than 50% compared to standard solutions currently available in the UK. This means it’s cheaper to install and maintain, cutting costs for electrification.

Siemens Mobility’s Rail Charging Converter (RCC) is a containerised solution that will be deployed to site already assembled and tested. It creates a 25kV by plugging directly into the local power grid, instead of using the high powered 275/400kV electricity network, cutting delivery times for traditional electrification projects from seven years to as little as 18 months.

The original development of the Siemens Mobility’s RCC was supported by the Department for Transport through Innovate UK’s First of a Kind programme.

The RCC forms an important part of Siemens Mobility’s Desiro Verve battery bi-mode train and discontinuous electrification solution that could save Britain’s railways £3.5 billion and 12 million tonnes of CO2 over 35 years.

The trains, which would be assembled at Siemens Mobility’s new Train Manufacturing Facility in Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire, would be powered by overhead wires on already electrified routes, then switch to battery power where there are no wires.

This means only small sections of the routes and/or particular stations have to be electrified with OLE, making it much quicker and less disruptive to replace diesel trains compared to full electrification.