Where will the trains be maintained?
The trains will be maintained in Glasgow at ScotRail’s Shields Depot, with technical support from Siemens. The depot buildings and facilities are being upgraded to increase capacity, and the workforce required to maintain the new fleet will also be expanded.
What is being created at Shields depot?
A new maintenance facility is being constructed to enable ScotRail to maintain the new Class 380 electric trains.
In addition to improved maintenance facilities, a replacement wheel lathe building and associated equipment was completed in November 2009. This lathe - used to cut and maintain wheels to ensure they are perfectly circular – services the entire ScotRail fleet.
How much is this costing?
Transport Scotland is investing £24m in improvements at the depot. The enhanced facilities also provide for future use of the facility to cater for planned projects that will impact on Shields Depot in future years such as fleet renewals and network infrastructure projects.
What are the key dates?
The construction project is taking two years to complete.
The Traincare building is due to be finished in time to support the maintenance of the new Class 380s - due to enter service in mid September this year.
Will there be any jobs created as a result of the depot expansion?
The depot expansion will create up to 40 new construction jobs for the duration of the building project. In addition, some 30 new permanent engineering and support roles will be created, and a further 120 train crew jobs.
Who’s involved in the project?
Engineering company Siemens is the main contractor and is managing the project on behalf of train operator ScotRail and Transport Scotland. Clough Smith Rail is contracted to build the depot, with Turner & Townsend project managing. When completed, the depot will be used to maintain the new design electric trains, which will operate on Ayrshire, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire services, bringing much needed extra capacity to these routes.
