05 May 2011
Depot integration puts Arriva’s LNWR on track for future growth
Leading train maintenance specialist LNWR is on track to grow its business after expanding operations to include four new depots.
Four Axiom Rail depots have transferred from DB Schenker Rail (UK) Ltd to Arriva’s LNWR rail maintenance operations.
The transfer of the passenger train servicing and rolling stock maintenance depots at Bristol, Eastleigh, Cambridge and Tyne Yard (Gateshead) to the Crewe-based business gives it a combined turnover of £30 million with a 210 strong workforce.
The combined business increases LNWR’s strength and geographic presence on the UK rail network.
Mark Knowles, managing director of LNWR, said: “Bringing the expertise in the five depots together will help us to grow our operations in the years ahead.
“By working as one company we can offer more to the industry. We have highly skilled people at all of our depots ready to deliver and are already looking at how we can use our joint capacity to offer more overnight fuelling, repair and servicing plus quality routine maintenance, as well as major refurbishment and overhaul work for train operators and rolling stock companies.”
LNWR is working on plans to enhance facilities for staff at the sites and invest in new equipment and people to assist in future bids for more heavy maintenance and refurbishment work in addition to its established train servicing activities.
Bob Holland, managing director of Arriva’s UK Trains division, said: “Developing our LNWR maintenance business is essential if we want to progress and continue to compete with some of the largest international maintenance companies for major contracts.
“The new combined operation strengthens and enhances our business. It will help us to achieve our long-term vision of offering the complete package of professional maintenance and refurbishment services to the rail industry.”
LNWR was founded in 1996 and, following significant investment in its Crewe facility, has become a leading servicing facility for modern electric and diesel trains. It services one of the most diverse fleets of trains in the UK and is one of the largest depots and stabling facilities on the West Coast Main Line.
The four former Axiom Rail depots, which transferred to LNWR on 21 April 2011, primarily maintain and fuel CrossCountry’s Voyager and Class 170 fleets. They also carry out maintenance and servicing programmes for Riveria Trains and some light maintenance work for DB Schenker Rail (UK) Ltd on wagons and locomotives.