Exciting times at Worksop

depot and yards has been transformed in the past two years, with more change to follow in 2021.

Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC) is spending more than £ 6 million on its 15-acre site - including the construction of new maintenance facilities using equipment acquired from the Heathrow Express Old Oak Common depot, which closed its doors in February.

HNRC intends for Worksop to be a ‘onestop’ shop for operators of fixed formation trains and yellow plant. Eventually up to 45 jobs will be created at the site, working across three shifts. The depot is already open 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Along with space for the safe storage of 700 vehicles, Worksop also already boasts a 35,000-litre fuelling point, controlled emission toilet (CET) and cleaning facilities, and battery-charging equipment.

A 20-ton crane and a ten-ton crane are on site, while jacks capable of lifting a fivecar train have been installed. An 80-metre maintenance pit has been built, while there will also be two 50-metre pits built in the nine-car vehicle concrete apron that is nearly complete (near the latest shed to be constructed).

By December this year there will also be a wheel/bogie drop facility, while painting and bodywork repairs will also be possible.

Both Worksop Up Yard and the Down Yards can be used for warm storage of trains.

The first new-build unit to arrive on site was a TfL Rail Class 345 in June 2019. Examples of South Western Railway Class 701 and Class 720 Aventra electric multiple units are currently stored in both yards awaiting delivery. There are also around 40 TfL Rail Class 345 intermediate vehicles awaiting delivery.

All these vehicles make use of specialist equipment installed to ensure the trains can be powered when necessary. They are also regularly moved around the site to ensure wheel bearings don’t seize.

Former LNER Mk 4s are also to be found at the HNRC facility, awaiting a decision on their future. @Richard_rail

■ For more on HNRC’s plans, see RAIL

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HNRC. Looking west across the Harry Needle Railroad Company site at Worksop. In the foreground is an office block, while a new shed takes shape next to the main running lines. Class 701 and ‘720’ electric multiple units await delivery, while examples of HNRC’s Class 08, ‘20’ and ‘25’ fleets await maintenance. On the left is a shed already in use for fixed formation trains and yellow plant. In the distance, on the right, is Worksop Up Yard - also part of the HNRC site and used mainly for storage.