Work begins on £1.5m loco maintenance facility

Construction work has officially begun on a major new locomotive maintenance facility at UK Rail Leasing Ltd’s (UKRL) depot in Leicester.

The £1.5m facility has been designed to maintain new classes of locomotives. It will give UKRL extra capacity to expand its maintenance business and support 15 highly skilled jobs once complete.

It is expected to be completed this year before becoming operational in early 2024.

Mark Winter, managing director at UKRL said: “This expansion in Leicester means we will be playing our part in developing a more efficient rail network by providing maintenance services for clients where they are needed. The new shed also increases our capacity for all our customers who know our expertise in maintenance and servicing rail vehicles ensures reliability.”

Leicester’s City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “UKRL’s expansion with this new locomotive shed is good news for the city. Since founding in Leicester almost ten years ago, this important and innovative engineering company has gone from strength to strength, making major local investment, creating new skilled jobs and helping to put our city on the map as a fantastic place to do business.”

John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight, added: “For the rail freight sector to grow, we need investments like the one that UKRL are making in Leicester. This state-of-the-art depot will provide a new facility for locomotive maintenance that will improve sustainability and efficiency for freight operators, in addition to driving jobs and growth in the East Midlands region.”

The build is being supported by a development loan from HSBC UK.

Mark Lupton, area director at HSBC UK, said: “We’re pleased to be working with the business to help the team meet their sustainability goals. We’re committed to helping local businesses innovate, thrive, and grow in their respective sectors.”