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the rail engineer • November 2014
Collaborative solutions T
he London & North Western Railway (LNWR) was founded in 1993 as a train maintenance company based in Crewe. It enjoyed early success, allowing it to grow impressively and to develop a range of skills and services that would enable it to meet the growing demands of the rail industry. In 2008, the company was acquired by its current owner Arriva plc within which Arriva TrainCare (ATC) operates as an independent, stand-alone business. Today the business has five strategically placed depots across the UK, located in Crewe, Bristol, Eastleigh, Cambridge and Newcastle. Facilities in Bristol, Eastleigh, Cambridge and Newcastle were acquired from Axiom in 2011 and this allowed ATC to expand rapidly with a minimum of development costs. It is this pace of growth and expansion that has helped identify ATC as a dynamic and effective organisation.
Geographical spread The main services offered by ATC are the highquality overhaul, maintenance and servicing of passenger rolling stock, locomotives, freight wagons and on-track plant. This sees the company working with leading train and freight operating companies, rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCOs) and train manufacturers although the company is continuously looking to expand its horizons. Managing director Sean Forster stated that: “ATC is actively looking to develop contracts with all the major rolling stock companies and indeed we already work with a variety of operators to help them in delivering modifications over and above the statutory heavy maintenance that is required.”
ATC’s five locations employ around 200 staff and possess combined workshop facilities with space for more than 70 vehicles. All five locations boast extensive servicing facilities as well as overnight servicing and fuelling capabilities. “ATC offers train presentation services through each of its five depots including light maintenance servicing to approximately 180 vehicles per night for key passenger service customers such as Bombardier, Siemens, Arriva Trains Wales and East Midlands Trains,” added Sean. “Freight vehicle maintenance and servicing, as well as the company’s wheel lathe capability, are based in Crewe, while heavy maintenance services are carried out at both the Crewe and Bristol depots. This is likely to expand to further sites in the near future.
Professional approach “During 2014, we have continued to add to our heavy maintenance order book with new contracts. We have secured Angel Trains’ Class 142 and Chiltern Railways’ Mark III Overhaul and APU work for our Bristol facility and we are supplementing the existing C6 and structural maintenance activities on Porterbrook’s Class 150 fleet with Porterbrook’s Class 170 and Arriva Trains Wales’ Mark III Refurbishment which will be completed at our Crewe depot.” The execution of the various service requirements of ATC customers depends on the correct application of dedicated equipment, a skilled workforce and the use of the company’s different locations. The strategic spread of depots across the UK means that ATC can offer its customers greater and more readily available options in terms of fleet locations, while providing the company with an excellent base of potential future growth and diversification opportunities.