Work progresses on Gosforth Underground depot ahead of the arrival of 46 new trains UK News

Progress is being made on the construction of the new £70million Gosforth Metro depot ahead of the delivery of the first new Tyne and Wear Metro train this year.

The depot, which will house the 46 new metro trains manufactured by Stadler, is undergoing a huge transformation. It will see the complete demolition of the old depot, which dates from 1923, and the construction of a brand new depot, as well as the replacement of new tracks throughout the site.

These tasks should be ready by October 2022 and the project is now entering phase three of the six-step process, which will see more of the old depot building demolished and the introduction of three additional lines.

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The second phase of the Gosforth depot project was completed in time for Jubilee weekend, and three additional new sections of line to serve the new facility were successfully installed. As phase three of the six-step process begins, more of the old depot building will be demolished.

The first two stages of the project saw the demolition of the garage sheds to the west of the depot, the partial demolition of the main depot buildings and the start of construction of new ones, as well as the removal and renewal of six garage lines . .

The construction works have been configured to allow the current Metro fleet to continue to operate from the Gosforth depot, whilst the construction works take place. And Nexus is also using a smaller temporary train depot in Howdon as it transitions to the new Gosforth facility. VolkerFitzpatrick is constructing the new Gosforth depot on behalf of Stadler.

Michael Steiner, Program Manager, Newcastle from Stadler, said: “With the first new train arriving in Newcastle at the end of the year, work is underway to build a modern facility, fit for purpose and state-of-the-art technology. , with a focus on sustainability. It has been future-proofed to allow it to operate effectively for the duration of Stadler’s 35-year contract, which gives us priority to local people, local assets and to local services.

“We are delighted to have reached another milestone in the work, and thank our partners, Nexus and VolkerFitzpatrick for their continued collaboration with us.”

The new depot will include roads and inspection pits, cranes, jacks, test facilities and a wheel lathe. Other features include a washing facility to clean train exteriors and other dedicated areas for daily and periodic deep cleaning.

The outdoor space is adapted to optimize the circulation of trains, while limiting noise for the benefit of local residents. The new facility, covering 12 acres and located in the suburbs of Newcastle, has been designed to ensure maximum fleet availability and reliability for decades to come.

It will significantly improve the working environment and house a wide range of activities, including preventive and corrective maintenance, overhauls and train presentation. There will be a warehouse for spare parts and hardware supplies, as well as offices for training and support functions.

The building will promote sustainability, providing an attractive environment for employees. It will make the most of natural light and all workspaces will have windows. On-site recycled water and rainwater will be collected and used for train washing facilities and toilets.

There will be a dedicated and secure area for bicycles, and showers will be provided for people who cycle to work. Charging stations for electric cars will be installed.

Stadler is committed to supporting the regional economy and involving as many Tyne and Wear-based businesses in the project as possible. Over 90% of the suppliers used for the depot construction project are based in the UK, with key suppliers from the North East region including Thompsons of Prudhoe and A&M Electricals in Washington.

Stadler is making a total of 46 new subway trains for Nexus, which are currently in production, with the process of building bogies – structures with attached wheels that carry the bodies – well advanced. The first train is due to arrive in Newcastle for a rigorous testing program in November 2022.

The new metro trains, which will be 15 times more reliable and reduce energy consumption by 30%, will be equipped with modern features such as charging stations, air conditioning and a radical change in accessibility. Among the new features, an automatic sliding step at each door of the new trains will facilitate the movement of Metro’s 50,000 wheelchair passengers as well as people with strollers, luggage or bicycles.

Fleet Replacement and Depot Program Manager for Nexus, Michael Richardson, said: “We are delighted with the progress being made on our new £70 million Gosforth depot, which will be a modern new home for the new trains. metro.

“The second phase of the repository project…