Cairn Cross complete new Tonbridge facility for GB Railfreight

Cairn Cross recently completed a new state-of-the-art Locomotive Maintenance Facility in Tonbridge for Freight and Rail Logistics Operator GB Railfreight.

 The new £2.5m 35-metre-by-10-metre superstructure facility, clad in GB Railfreight’s signature blue, was built to support GB Railfreight in maintaining its Class 73, 69 and 66 locomotive fleet.

 This new facility was designed and built by Cairn Cross.

Cairn Cross developed this project from the feasibility stage to project completion, with the design requirements supported by our design partner Hexagon Consultancy Limited.

John Smith, Chief Executive Officer at GB Railfreight, said: “Our new facility at Tonbridge demonstrates our commitment to continued investment and innovation in the rail network. The Tonbridge site will lead to increased efficiency for our locomotive fleet, which will benefit our customers, and operation of rail head treatment services will improve passenger experiences and safety across the region.”

Adam Southern, Delivery Director Track Treatment at Network Rail, said: “Tonbridge is a key location for Network Rail’s autumn and winter services, helping the Southern Region battle against poor adhesion due to leaf-fall and the effects of frost on the running lines. GB Railfreight’s new Maintenance Hub will provide a greater level of resilience and reliability for the seasonal fleet, right where we need it.”

Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General at the Rail Freight Group, said: “The rail freight sector is committed to growth – it’s fantastic to see private freight operators like GB Railfreight investing in facilities such as the new maintenance hub at Tonbridge. These facilities will provide additional capacity, reliability and resilience for rail freight customers across the country.”

The facility is a 35-meter-long by 10-meter-wide superstructure supported on CFA piles and a steel reinforcement concrete ring beam and slabs. To allow the construction and completion of the facility, an existing single p-way track was removed, diverted, and re-laid.

A closed-sided 25-metre length inspection pit allows access to the underside of locomotives for critical and planned maintenance activities. The facility also includes an exhaust extraction system, high bay lighting, full electrical fit-out, a compressed air system, fluid dispensing points, CCTV and fire alarm integration, access and roller doors, along with painted floor finish and branded external signage.

To the exterior, a full 360-degree walkway was formed, along with suitable areas to house the fume extraction unit, oil storage tank, air compressor, fluid-dispensing pumps and storage, surrounded by an Armco barrier. A drainage system for stormwater and water discharge was also designed and built.

Adam Horton, Delivery Manager at Cairn Cross for the project, expressed, “We feel very proud to deliver this Project on behalf of GB Railfreight, offering new Maintenance Facilities for their growing fleet of Rolling Stock across the country. This facility is a testament to the growth of investment within the freight industry.”

Learn more about our rail infrastructure experience and capabilities by clicking here and about GB Railfrieght by visiting https://www.gbrailfreight.com.