West Midlands Railway (WMR) and Transport for Wales (TfW) have marked a significant milestone with the completion of a £3 million infrastructure upgrade at a key rail depot in Shrewsbury.
This major investment is part of a broader initiative to enhance services along the Shrewsbury line. It follows the introduction of WMR’s modern Class 196 trains in 2022 and TfW’s new Class 197 fleet in 2023, both of which now operate on the route between Shrewsbury and Birmingham.
To celebrate the completion of the project, WMR and TfW hosted a special event at the depot, welcoming representatives from local authorities and the wider rail industry to showcase the improvements.
The upgrade includes a range of enhancements such as:
- A cutting-edge smart lighting system
- New fuelling facilities
- Expanded servicing capacity
- Clearly marked safe walking routes
- Refurbished staff amenities
In addition to the infrastructure improvements, WMR has created three new full-time roles at the depot, contributing to local employment and economic growth.
This project forms part of a wider £1 billion investment in new trains and infrastructure by WMR and its sister company, London Northwestern Railway. Further upgrade work is also ongoing at Tyseley depot in Birmingham, where the Class 196 fleet is maintained.
John Doughty, engineering director at West Midlands Railway, said: “We are committed to investing in our depots across the network, so we can provide our maintenance and presentation team with the facilities they need to improve the train fleet and therefore continue to enhance the passenger experience.
"As a key employer across the West Midlands, we are pleased to have recruited three new technicians, allowing us to improve performance and ensure our fleet is in tip-top condition when it starts its day in service.”
Arnaud Dewally, project manager at Transport for Wales said: "Shrewsbury is a key location on the Wales and Borders network for Transport for Wales and this multi-million-pound investment is vital for the roll out of our brand-new Class 197 trains on the Cambrian Line, as part of an £800m in new trains on behalf of the Welsh Government."
Image credit: West Midlands Railway
