A cutting-edge £46.5 million rail maintenance facility has officially opened in Huddersfield, marking a major milestone in the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU). The newly developed Hillhouse Light Maintenance Depot, located on the historic 175-year-old Hillhouse Sidings, is set to play a pivotal role in enhancing train reliability and passenger experience across the North.
Operated by Northern Rail, the depot is now fully operational, with staff working around the clock to maintain, repair, and clean trains—primarily overnight—to ensure services are ready for passengers each morning.
State-of-the-Art Rail Maintenance for a Modern Network
The 24-hour facility features five maintenance lines, each capable of accommodating up to 24 carriages. Initially, engineers will focus on servicing diesel trains across two lines, with plans to expand to three additional lines in the coming years. These will support electric and bi-mode trains, aligning with the TRU’s long-term vision for a greener and more efficient railway.
Paul Sumner, Senior Sponsor for the TRU, added:
“The opening of Hillhouse Light Maintenance Depot is another fantastic milestone for the TRU.
By transforming this site into a modern, state-of-the-art facility, we’re helping to ensure trains are kept in the best possible condition for passengers across the North.
This depot will not only support more reliable services today, but it’s also future-proofed for electric and bi-mode trains, making it a key part of building a greener, faster and more dependable railway for years to come.”
Supporting the Wider Transpennine Route Upgrade
The Transpennine Route Upgrade is a transformative infrastructure programme aimed at modernising the 76-mile corridor between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York. The goal is to deliver faster, more frequent, and more reliable rail services across the region.
As part of the TRU, Huddersfield Station is undergoing a major redevelopment. Earlier this week, the station reopened to passengers with three rebuilt and extended platforms. Phase two of the works is now underway behind a sectioned-off area, where teams are completing the remaining platform, canopy, and track upgrades.
Once completed in early 2027, Huddersfield Station will be equipped to handle longer trains with increased seating capacity, offering passengers a more comfortable and efficient travel experience.
Image credit: Northern and iStock
