Major upgrade works to the Manchester International Depot, transforming it into a modern train servicing and stabling facility, have been completed.
Hull-headquartered Spencer Group M&E was selected by Northern as its delivery partner for the £1.8 million building and facilities upgrade, bringing the maintenance depot back to life.
It had been built in the early Nineties as part of a plan to operate international Eurostar train services from Manchester via the Channel Tunnel. However, the plan never came to fruition and the depot has remained underused. Train firms have commissioned new fleets there, but it has never been an active, working depot.
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Now, extensive upgrades will allow it to accommodate Northern’s new Class 323 electric units, supporting services in the North West.
The depot, which features two roads, two sets of tracks and a 300m-long storage facility, will also alleviate congestion at other depots, further improving services.
Dan Whittle, Spencer Group’s operations director, said: “This project is an example of Spencer Group providing a complete solution which meets our client’s needs. We’ve taken it from feasibility to implementation and completion utilising our in-house design capabilities. We’ve also developed and installed a bespoke control emission toilet system ourselves, based on extensive research.
“Our skillset means we can deliver projects like this in their entirety. We’re adaptable and flexible too, meaning we’re able to tailor our delivery to the client’s needs.”
The company removed all redundant and expired equipment, adding energy efficient LED lighting, heating ventilation and air conditioning, CCTV and a new fire alarm system.
David Manifold, Spencer’s principal design engineer, said: “We’ve worked in close collaboration with Northern from the very first stages of this project, providing detailed designs for all their requirements. We’ve also been able to identify and implement maintenance and energy saving improvements throughout the design process, ensuring the depot will be a modern, fit-for-purpose facility.
“These works are a further demonstration of Spencer Group’s wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary capabilities to deliver projects like this from start to finish.”
Northern and Network Rail are also planning to re-energise the depot’s overhead electric wires.
Craig Wood, Northern’s project manager, said: “These works to upgrade Manchester International Depot will have a positive impact on services across the region. We’ve worked with Spencer Group before and they have an outstanding reputation across the industry for their professionalism and the quality of their work.
“They’re extremely focused on safety, which is clearly of paramount importance in the rail industry, and we’ve been really impressed with their work.”
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