Crewe Rail Firm Makes Progress (From Crewe Guardian)

Crewe Rail Firm Makes Progress

9:15am Thursday 4th March 2010 in

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CREWE-based train maintenance specialist LNWR has delivered a refurbished coach for use on Arriva Trains Wales services.

The vehicle now provides a First Class saloon together with kitchen and buffet facilities on the train.

Taken out of front line service with Virgin Trains some four years ago, the vehicle had not turned a wheel making it a challenge to carry out the refurbishment and repair to the very high standards demanded.

The project took LNWR just over three months to complete including stripping back to a bare shell, and carrying out the necessary repairs before refinishing the vehicle in striking livery.

The passenger saloon was completely overhauled and refinished, and equipped to provide at-seat power and table lamps.

The final result is a complete transformation of the vehicle inside and out.

This project is the latest confirmation of LNWR’s arrival as a major supplier of rail vehicle overhaul, refurbishment and repair services.

Managing director Mark Knowles is optimistic about forward prospects in the market.

He said: “Refurbishing and overhauling 10259 demonstrates that LNWR can undertake complex projects and, despite the many complications faced, deliver on budget in a very compressed timescale.

“We now have a vibrant and growing heavy maintenance and refurbishment business to go alongside our established train servicing activity.

"We are now the complete package.”

LNWR occupies a 35-acre site south of Crewe station.

The company commenced operations in 1998 following an initiative by rail enthusiast and music entrepreneur Pete Waterman OBE.

The business was acquired by Arriva in November 2008.