Welsh Government reveals ambitions for rail test track
A test track for the rail industry is being planned for Wales.
Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport Ken Skates revealed the plans on June 25, as part of the Welsh Government’s ambitions for an integrated ‘Global Centre of Rail Excellence’.
The centre would cost around £100 million. Private sector investment is required, along with the commitment of manufacturers, rolling stock companies, network operators and stakeholders, according to Skates.
The Welsh Government said the UK has limited test facilities and that there are no electrified test ovals for continuous running. Manufacturers have to send trains across to Europe for testing before bringing them back to the UK for service.
Currently, the only UK test tracks are at Old Dalby, which is largely used by Bombardier, and at Network Rail’s High Marnham facility.
Therefore, the plan would be for two fully electrified test ovals - a 4.5-mile oval and a smaller 1.9-mile oval (capable of 100mph running). The aim is for it to rival Siemens’ Wildenrath facility in Germany and the Velim site in the Czech Republic. Each of these has waiting lists for up to a year, Skates said.
The Welsh Government is aiming for the site to “play a key role in the development of nextgeneration hydrogen and batterypowered trains as the rail industry, like the car industry, moves to decarbonise”. Infrastructure will also be able to be tested at the site.
Skates said: “From a standing start a few years ago, Wales is now developing as a home for our domestic rail industry. There is more we can do. I want our country recognised across the UK and Europe as a major hub. Our Economic Action Plan signalled a new approach to creating opportunities for developing our economy. I’m now signalling the next chapter of implementation of that plan.”
Locations for the centre are being assessed, but the preferred option is the mothballed open cast mine in Nant Helen, on the border between Powys and Neath Port Talbot. There is also the adjacent and operational coal-washery site in Onllwyn.
Skates explained: “This area, at the top of the Dulais Valley, has been reliant on the coal industry for generations. With this era drawing to a close, there is great potential for investment drawing on existing and new skills.
“This is also a project that could make an important contribution to the work of the Valleys Taskforce, providing good-quality jobs and the skills to do them.”
Skates said he has instructed the Welsh Government to continue with the business case development: “If we can consolidate the very considerable levels of enthusiasm communicated to us, we will commit our best endeavours to the next stages of this project - working towards the completion of this exciting, integrated global centre of rail excellence.”
These plans follow on from Hitachi Rail Europe and Bombardier’s intention for a test track at Long Marston ( RAIL 847), involving the Quinton Rail Technology Centre.