HNRC acquires Worksop site for new maintenance facility

UP to 45 jobs will be created at Worksop Wagon Repair Depot, after Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC) formally acquired the site on February 6.

HNRC plans to invest £6 million in the former DB Cargo UK facility, as well as creating a future apprenticeship scheme that could eventually cater for up to 60 apprentices.

When operational, the Worksop site will be able to house 20 locomotives for repair, overhaul and maintenance. HNRC Managing Director Harry Needle told RAIL that the first locomotive was likely to arrive at the site in early March.

The 12-acre site will be used exclusively for new business. HNRC contracts currently carried out at its Barrow Hill headquarters will continue at that facility.

HNRC has received support from Sheffield City Region Growth Hub Access to Finance team to obtain funding from the Rail Supply Growth Fund. Bassetlaw District Council is also working with HNRC to create a dedicated team that will help grow the business at the site.

“Acquiring the Worksop Wagon Repair Depot means that we have fulfilled our aspiration in owning our own large-scale depot,” said Needle.

“We now have a 12-acre site that is perfect for our needs and will allow us to significantly expand our operations.”

David Pidwell, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “It’s fantastic that the Wagon Repair Depot site will be brought back into use. Having met with Harry and his team, and heard the plans for Worksop, there is very significant investment going into the site with new jobs created and scope for apprenticeships in the future.”

Speaking to RAIL on February 18, Needle was unable to confirm contracts for the site, but said negotiations were ongoing and that details should be released “soon”. He added that he has signed Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) regarding work at the site.

Elsewhere within his business, Needle confirmed that HNRC will no longer maintain Class 37s for Colas Railfreight.

He said the company did not tender for the work, which will now be carried out at Nottingham Eastcroft by Boden Rail Engineering Limited.

Within his fleet, Needle said 37607 and 37612, which have been hired to Colas for infrastructure monitoring trains, have returned to Barrow Hill for wheelset replacements.

They will be used on IM trains in the future, but discussions have taken place regarding new contracts for them.