North Pole Intercity Express Depot Rail Construction
The London North Pole depot is one of three depots selected by Hitachi to house its new fleet of long-distance intercity express trains that will operate on the Great Western Mainline (GWML). The depot had been dormant since 2005 and required significant re-configuration and refurbishment to meet Hitachi’s needs, including creating two new connections to the GWML.
VolkerFitzpatrick was appointed as principal contractor to deliver the key facilities needed. To support the timely construction of the depot experienced JBA Rail project managers were engaged to help meet the deliverables. These included the main servicing shed, a 400m long, six track shed for light maintenance and cleaning and a repair shed approximately 200m long with four tracks, to carry out major repairs. We also delivered a dedicated wheel lathe building to re-profile wheels and an additional bogie shed that will primarily be used for single bogie changes.
A range of specialist cleaning and servicing equipment was also installed, including a train washing machine, toilet emptying facilities and water replenishment equipment.
A new 60m long bridge, constructed in only 16 weeks, carries the access road over the port's new railway, connecting the southern and northern parts of the port development.
To address poor ground conditions, the bridge was constructed on DCIS piled foundations to achieve the high working load tolerances required in weak subsoil conditions. Due to the bridge span being within 16m of a non-load bearing sea wall, we developed a bespoke bridge embankment solution. This was constructed using lightweight polystyrene fill combined with an 86m long 'skinny' facing wall.
Facts and Figures
- Client:
Hitachi Rail Europe - Dates:
August 2012 – December 2014 - Location:
Old Oak Common, London
