An extension to the Etches Park rail depot in Derby has been successfully integrated into East Midlands Railway’s business thanks to the joint efforts of HBPW and Kier Transportation, who stepped into the breach when Buckingham Group ceased trading last August.
HBPW has had a long association with the site, providing engineering support on a raft of projects including the original site development in 2009 alongside Spencer Group.
However, last August Buckingham Group’s financial troubles left a number of projects hanging in the balance including the £35m improvement scheme at Etches Park, for which HBPW provided a range of engineering drawings.
However, despite temporary concerns, Kier Transportation completed the work and Etches Park is now proud home to a fully operational 150mx14m service shed extension as well as train servicing canopies and an overhead line equipment testing track.
Partner Emyr Parry, said: “You cannot always see clouds on the horizon and the Buckingham Group situation was just that. Nevertheless, everyone rallied together to deliver a solution and I am delighted to report that Etches Park is not only fully operational, but an amazing example of a state-of-the-art rail servicing and test facility.”
In 2009 HBPW and Spencer Group joined forces to design and construct the original Etches Park rail depot, featuring the North Shed, a 400m2 storage/workshop area with office and staff welfare facilities, and upgrade and new fuelling roads to provide routine servicing for rolling stock.
Then, when East Midlands Railway decided to upgrade the facility further, as part of a £35m scheme, tendering contractor Buckingham Group turned to HBPW for help, Kier Transportation later coming to the rescue when Buckingham’s ceased trading.
“Our prior knowledge of the 2009 engineering drawings and Kier’ss expertise meant we were able to bring the job to a successful completion,” added Emyr. The new shed, part of a side extension to the original structure, will be used to service the operator’s new bi-mode Class 810 Aurora fleet from Hitachi, which will be used on inter-city routes to St Pancras International.
Client: East Midlands Railway
Contractor: Kier Transportation