OS grid SJ863973 Type DMU, EMU | Depot code(s) AK | |
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Location Ardwick, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom | ||
The Ardwick train depot, is a passenger multiple unit maintenance depot in Ardwick, Greater Manchester. The depot was opened in 2006 for the servicing of Siemens Class 185 DMUs, which are used on the Trans-Pennine franchise. It was electrified in 2012-13 to allow the servicing of Siemens Class 350/4 EMUs.
Contents
Location
Ardwick depot is located approximately 500 m (550 yd) east of Ardwick railway station, north of the Manchester-Glossop Line and south of the A635 road.
The depot code is AK.
History
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.
Siemens use
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 York Leeman Road depot). 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 about £30 million; 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-23 m (75 ft)-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 February 2012, Siemens obtained a contract to build and maintain twenty Class 350 Desiro 25kV AC electric trains including ten Class 350/4 units for First TransPennine Express, the contract required the electrification of the depot at Ardwick. Work to modify 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 20 m (66 ft)-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 September 2013. The first of the Class 350/4 trains arrived at the depot on 28 November 2013.