Ardwick train depot

The Ardwick train depot, is a passenger multiple unit maintenance depot opened 2006 for the servicing of Siemens Class 185 diesel multiple units used on the Transpennine franchise. It was electrified in 2012/2013 to allow the servicing of Siemens class 350/4 electric multiple units.

Location

Ardwick depot is located ~500m east of Ardwick railway station, north of the Manchester-Glossop Line and south of the A635 road.

The depot code is AK.

History

File:Ardwick railway yard - geograph.org.uk - 828186.jpg

Ardwick railway yard in 1989, prior to the depot's construction

In the 1840s the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester Railway was constructed between Manchester Store Street station (Manchester Piccadilly) and Sheffield Victoria railway station; Initially the site of the depot was just outside the urban spread of Manchester - the area being used for brick manufacture. Subsequently the area east of Ardwick station and north of the line was used for extensive railway sidings, including goods sheds, the wider area becoming known as 'Ardwick West Goods depot and mineral yard', later 'Ardwick West freight terminal'. The site remained in railway use through most the 20th century, becoming disused by 1990.

In 2003 Siemens became preferred bidder to supply and maintain a fleet of diesel multiple units for use on the Transpennine franchise - the £260 million contract included the provision and supply of maintenance facilities, with the primary facility in Manchester, as well as a secondary depot in York (see Leeman Road depot, York). In 2004 Siemens applied to construct sidings, train facilities and offices at the Ardwick site. Construction began in March 2005.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place in March 2005, the depot was constructed on the 10 acres (4.0 ha) site over 13 months, being completed 3 April 2006, at a cost of ~3£0million; the designers were Burks Green; Taylor Woodrow the main contractors; NG Bailey and Atkins Rail subcontractors. The main shed was a 6,000 m² (65,000 sq ft) building capable of holding 8 trains (a four road shed with two three 23m car trains per road.), with facilities including wheel lathe, train jacks, and bogie and engine drops. The depot was officially opened on 16 May 2006 by Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander.

In Feb. 2012 Siemens obtained a contract to build and maintain 20 Desiro class 350 25kV AC electric trains including 10 class 350/4 units for First TransPennine Express, the contract required the electrification of the depot at Ardwick. Work to modifiy the depot began September 2012, with Spencer Rail (Spencer Group) as main contractor. The depot was extended westward by 10 m (33 ft) to allow four 20m car electric multiple units to be accommodated; with one of the shed roads electrified, and all outside track electrified. The estimated cost of the project was £5million.

The depot electrification was ceremonially opened by Lucy Powell (MP) on 27 Sep. 2013. The first of the class 350/4 trains arrived at the depot on 28 November 2013.