Rail operator invests £5m maintenance facility for new electric train fleet

West Midlands Railway (WMR) is celebrating the completion of a major £5million upgrade at a key depot in Coventry where the region’s newest fleet is maintained.

The works at Coventry North Yard, near the city’s railway station, mean WMR’s Class 730 electric fleet can be maintained and stabled more effectively. The fleet entered service in the West Midlands last year and has already carried millions of passengers.

Depot managers at WMR showcased the upgrades to representatives from local authorities and the wider rail industry at a special event on the site today (Friday 24 January).

The upgrades are part of a major £1billion investment in new trains and infrastructure by WMR and its sister company London Northwestern Railway. Separate upgrade work is under way at Soho depot in Smethwick – the primary base for the Class 730s – and Tyseley depot in Birmingham, where diesel trains are maintained.

The improvements will benefit passengers across dozens of locations in the West Midlands served by Class 730s, including the Cross City Line in Birmingham, between Rugeley and Birmingham International, and between Wolverhampton and Walsall.

The renovations include new toilet waste extraction technology, enhanced walkways, smart lighting, new CCTV and improved staff rooms. Since the upgrades were completed, WMR has been able to recruit four full-time employees, bringing new jobs to the local area while protecting the roles of existing workers already stationed there.

The upgrades and new recruits allow for six Class 730 trains to be cleaned simultaneously, maximising turnaround time for maintenance to ensure facilities are clean and operational on board.

John Doughty, engineering director at West Midlands Railway, said: “Investing into our depots is a major priority for us so we can improve the quality of service for our passengers across the region. West Midlands Railway is a major employer in the West Midlands and we were delighted to be able to recruit further and improve our efficiency and capacity at Coventry North Yard.”

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.”

For more information on WMR's investment programme, visit the website.

Pictured (L-R): John Doughty, West Midlands Railway; Rosie Coyle, Coventry City Council; Cllr Pervez Akhtar, Coventry City Council; Edward Hughes, National Skills Academy for Rail; and Dave Ellis, RailForum viewing upgrades and a Cl.730 at Coventry North Yard