British Steel is supplying 350 tons of rail for a major redevelopment at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire, the company announced in a press release.
Home to the UK’s only railway test loop, the facility is a key asset for testing new traction technologies, securely storing rolling stock, and providing hands-on training in a live environment.
The redevelopment, led by site owner Porterbrook, will enhance the centre’s capabilities to accommodate electric trains operating at speeds of up to 50mph, as well as hydrogen, battery, and diesel-powered vehicles. The site is also being prepared to support future in-cab signalling using the European Train Control System (ETCS).
British Steel is supplying the rail through Trackwork, the project’s principal contractor, which has been tasked with designing, supplying, and installing more than 11km of new track, including sidings, along with upgrades to road layouts and level crossings.
Deliveries of 56E1 profile rail began earlier this year, and construction is already well underway, the company said.