HistoricTest Facility Undergoes Transformative Upgrade
The Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire isundergoing a significant transformation with British Steel at the heart of thesupply chain. The facility, home to the UK railway's only test loop, representsa crucial asset for the British rail industry, enabling the testing andtrialing of new traction technologies, secure storage of rolling stock, andprovision of training in a live environment. Porterbrook, the centre's owner,has committed £75 million ($94.5 million) to modernize the site, creating acutting-edge facility that will support the future of British rail transport.The ambitious redevelopment will enable testing of electric fleets at speeds upto 50mph, alongside hydrogen, battery, and diesel vehicles, with futurecapability to support European Train Control System (ETCS) in-cab signalingtechnology.
BritishSteel Secures Strategic Rail Supply Contract
As the UK's only manufacturer of rail, British Steel hassuccessfully secured a contract to supply 350 metric tons of rail for theproject through Trackwork, the project's principal contractor. The supplyagreement highlights British Steel's strategic importance to the UK's railinfrastructure and demonstrates the company's continued competitiveness indomestic markets. Deliveries of 56e1 profile rail began earlier this year, withthe project already well underway. The contract was successfully tendered forby British Steel's UK rail team, reinforcing the company's position as a keysupplier to major infrastructure projects across Britain. This partnershipbetween British Steel, Trackwork, and Porterbrook exemplifies the collaborativeapproach needed to advance the UK's rail capabilities.
Comprehensive Track Installation TransformsTesting Capabilities
Trackwork has been appointed to undertake an extensivescope of work at the Long Marston facility, including the design, supply, andinstallation of over 11 kilometers of track and sidings. The contractor willalso implement modifications to the existing road layout and level crossings toaccommodate the enhanced capabilities of the modernized test center. Thiscomprehensive track installation represents a significant engineeringchallenge, requiring precise planning and execution to ensure the facility meetsthe exacting standards required for testing advanced rail technologies. Theinstallation of British Steel's rail products forms a critical foundation forthe site's future operations, providing the robust infrastructure needed tosupport next-generation rolling stock development and testing.
Multi-Modal Testing Advances UK's GreenTransportation Goals
The redevelopment of the Long Marston Rail InnovationCentre represents a significant advancement in the UK's capacity to develop andtest alternative propulsion systems for rail transport. By creating a facilitycapable of supporting electric, hydrogen, battery, and diesel vehicle testing,Porterbrook is establishing a crucial resource for the industry's transitiontoward more sustainable transportation solutions. The investment aligns withbroader national goals to decarbonize the rail sector and reduce emissionsacross the transportation network. The ability to test multiple tractiontechnologies in a controlled environment will accelerate innovation and helpovercome technical challenges associated with new propulsion systems,potentially shortening the timeline for commercial deployment of greener railsolutions.
Strategic Investment Strengthens UK RailInfrastructure
Porterbrook's £75 million ($94.5 million) commitment to theLong Marston site marks a significant vote of confidence in the future of theUK rail industry. This substantial investment enhances Britain's railinfrastructure at a critical time when the sector faces pressure to modernize,improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. The redeveloped facilitywill provide vital testing capabilities that might otherwise require sendingrolling stock abroad for evaluation, keeping expertise, jobs, and innovationwithin the UK. The project demonstrates how strategic investment in railinfrastructure can create long-term value for the industry while supportingbroader economic and environmental objectives. The enhanced testingcapabilities will benefit train operating companies, manufacturers, andultimately passengers through the development of more reliable, efficient, andsustainable rail services.
BritishSteel Highlights Sustainability Credentials
British Steel's involvement in the Long Marston projectaligns with the company's increasing focus on sustainability within the railsector. Darren Cole, UK Account Manager for Rail at British Steel, noted thecompany's role as the headline sustainability sponsor at Rail Live this year,expressing enthusiasm about seeing the newly supplied rails in place as part ofthe modernization scheme when the event takes place in June. This sponsorshiphighlights British Steel's commitment to promoting sustainable practices withinthe rail industry, complementing its role as a supplier of essential materialsfor infrastructure projects. The company's participation in Rail Live willprovide an opportunity to showcase how its products contribute to moresustainable rail networks while supporting innovation in the sector.
Future-Proofing with Advanced SignalingCapabilities
A key aspect of the Long Marston redevelopment is itspreparation for future signaling technologies, particularly the European TrainControl System (ETCS). This advanced in-cab signaling system represents thefuture of rail traffic management across Europe, offering improved safety,increased capacity, and enhanced cross-border interoperability. Byincorporating ETCS capability into the redeveloped test facility, Porterbrookis ensuring that Long Marston remains relevant and valuable for decades to come,capable of supporting the testing and implementation of next-generationsignaling technologies. This forward-thinking approach demonstrates anunderstanding of the rail industry's long-term technological trajectory andpositions the UK to maintain competitiveness in rail innovation despitechanging technical standards and requirements across Europe.
KeyTakeaways:
• British Steel is supplying 350 metric tons ofUK-manufactured rail for the £75 million ($94.5 million) redevelopment of LongMarston Rail Innovation Centre, reinforcing its position as the UK's only railmanufacturer and a key supplier to critical infrastructure projects.
• The upgraded facility will enable testing of multiplepropulsion technologies, including electric trains at speeds up to 50mph,alongside hydrogen, battery, and diesel vehicles, supporting the UK railindustry's transition toward more sustainable transportation solutions.
• Trackwork is implementing over 11 kilometers of new trackand sidings as principal contractor, with the redeveloped center designed toaccommodate future European Train Control System (ETCS) in-cab signalingtechnology, ensuring long-term relevance for UK rail innovation.
