Latest Rail News

21.03.17

Stadler awards £20m contract to BAM Nuttall for Kirkdale depot

Swiss manufacturer Stadler has today struck a £20m deal with BAM Nuttall to construct a brand-new train depot in Kirkdale, as well as refurbishing an existing depot in Birkenhead North to bring it up to modern standards. 

The announcement of the deal is the latest step in Stadler’s efforts to build its UK supply chain, as it follows news that the company signed a contract for the new fleet of 52 metro trains for the Liverpool region, despite Bombardier launching a legal challenge against Merseytravel after it missed out on its bid for the contract in December.

Kirkdale’s new depot will be dedicated to the fleet of metro-trains, which should be in service by 2021 and are estimated to have a 35-year life cycle.

The combined value of the contracts for the depot and rolling stock amounts to £700m, which may increase subject to an optional clause that includes the maintenance of an additional 60 units being triggered.

Stadler is also planning to transfer around 150 Merseyrail engineering staff into its operations to work on the new developments.

Jürg Gygax, executive vice president of Stadler, said: “Having just signed the contract with Merseytravel to provide a new generation of metro trains for Liverpool, we are very pleased to already be able to confirm BAM Nuttall as the primary subcontractor for the depot works.”

Gygax added that the deal underlined Stadler’s commitment to the UK. “It will help the majority of the overall value of our contracts retained in the UK and the north west, both in the supply chain and in the employment of engineering staff,” he explained.

“With the modern maintenance facilities, these works will provide, Stadler will be able to maintain the fleet to the highest standards of reliability and customer presentation.”

Alan Cox, pre-construction director at BAM Nuttall, spoke of his enthusiasm about being awarded the contract: “We have been working collaboratively with Stadler during the tender stage of this exciting programme.

“From our Warrington office we have been able to provide locally based staff to support the bid and develop the programme.”

The BAM Nuttall director added that the company would continue with its “locally based approach” throughout the delivery phase and will provide opportunities for BAM’s north of England supply chain.

“We look forward to delivering this key piece of infrastructure for Stadler and Merseytravel and supporting the local economy,” he said.

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Comments

Andrew Gwilt   21/03/2017 at 16:55

Well Bombardier have lost out to the preffered winner-Stadler as they are to build and manufacture the new "Flirt" Electric Multiple Unit trains for Merseyrail and also new Flirt Electric Multiple Unit and Electro-Diesel Multiple Unit (Bi-Mode) trains for (Abellio) Greater Anglia.

Andrew Gwilt (Continued)   21/03/2017 at 16:57

Also the new Merseyrail Flirt EMU's could be classified as in the Class 7xx category (either numbered as Class 701, Class 703 or Class 705).

Lutz   21/03/2017 at 23:13

Cuckoo-Clock makers about to meet Scouse working practices.

Jimbo   22/03/2017 at 12:17

@Andrew Gwilt - FLIRT should really be capitalised as it stands for "Flinker Leichter Innovativer Regional Triebzug" or Fast Light Innovative Regional Train. It is only in english that it is a real word. Do you have any insider knowledge on the classification, or are you just guessing ? There are plenty other number ranges in 7xx range they could be, or even the 4xx range as these are DC units.

Andrew Gwilt   22/03/2017 at 12:39

@Jimbo. Well yes they might be in the Class 4xx classification but as new trains are to be built then I guess they could be numbered in the Class 4xx or Class 5xx category if these new trains for Merseyrail are DC 750v only then yes they could be numbered in the Class 4xx or Class 5xx category.

Ryan   22/03/2017 at 20:51

Don't egg him on...

Andrew Gwilt   22/03/2017 at 22:17

What! Ryan?

Isabel Kinghorn Brudenell   28/03/2017 at 15:55

The Merseyrail new trains have to be dual voltage compatible (provision for later 25kV kit to be fitted) to future-proof them for desired extensions to the Merseyrail network. This suggests that they could therefore be in the 37X series, which opens all sorts of new possibilities!!!!

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