MINISTER OPENS STATE-OF-THE-ART WABTEC PAINTSHOP

Wabtec Rail has invested more than £1 million in two outstanding facilities.

The first of these, a state-of-the-art paintshop costing £750,000, was officially opened on Friday12th September 2008 by the Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP, Minister of State for Transport and MP for
Doncaster Central.

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said: “It is a real pleasure to officially open this important new facility. Wabtec’s enhanced ability to refurbish trains from all over the country will directly improve the experience of passengers throughout the network."

The paintshop, which took five months to build, complements Wabtec’s existing vehicle painting facility and more than doubles the company’s current painting capacity. It has been designed to accommodate the most modern production techniques and uses the latest environmentally friendly products. Features include permanent access platforms and travelling cradles to give unrestricted access to all vehicle areas.

“I am delighted that our strategy to improve performance whilst expanding the range of our services, continues to be supported by the Wabtec Corporation with significant investment such as this” said John Meehan, Wabtec Rail’s Managing Director.

At the same time as building the paintshop, Wabtec has installed a 25kV overhead line to allow the testing of electric locomotives and multiple units. Both this and the paintshop are the latest in a series of investments by the company that have helped turn Doncaster into a leading centre for rail vehicle overhaul and refurbishment, attracting work from all over the country and creating employment for more than 800 staff.

The opening of the paintshop coincided with the handing over of re-liveried passenger coaches to National Express East Coast (NXEC), as part of a £21 million refurbishment contract started in 2006 and scheduled for completion in 2009. In addition to the re-livery and corrosion repairs of 122 NXEC HST trailer coaches the refurbishment programme includes the complete re-finishing of the coach interior with the fitting of new seats throughout, with 240 volt power sockets at each seat position, the design and supply of new lighting in the saloon and vestibule areas, the fitting of new floor coverings, the installation of new universal access toilets and new buffet bars.

Susan Goldsmith, National Express East Coast’s Deputy Manager says "We are delighted to be the launch customer for this superb new paintshop facility. Our trains are gradually being re-liveried in the new National Express colours.

"Doncaster has a proud railway heritage and we enjoy a strong partnership with Wabtec in the area. In addition to our support for this new paintshop, Wabtec is undertaking a major project to refurbish the interiors of our entire diesel High Speed Train fleet, which helps to secure skilled employment and boost the local economy."
more (pdf)