Porterbrook, the UK’s leading rolling stock financier and asset management company, has sealed the acquisition of the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre from St Modwen, aiming to bolster Warwickshire’s rail infrastructure.
Since assuming operational control in June 2021, Porterbrook has injected over £13 million into revamping and modernising the facilities sprawled across the expansive centre.
“This deal provides absolute clarity for our business, our shareholders and the wider rail industry over the long-term future of Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre,” stated Mary Grant, the CEO of Porterbrook.
“It gives us the certainty to move forwards with our plans and invest further to deliver an exceptional facility for testing, training, maintenance and storage for the railway,” she added.
The transformation of the 135-acre mainline-connected location over the past two and a half years included tarmacking roads to significantly improve access, upgrading lighting and installing a new state-of-the-art security system. Moreover, the centre boasts enriched training facilities and office spaces, and old storage buildings have been replaced with similar structures to maintain the heritage of the former Royal Engineers’ WWII supply depot.
Porterbrook shared in a statement that this transformation is the unveiling of the £3m Asset Management Facility in April 2023. Featuring three pitted roads capable of accommodating vehicles spanning up to 23 meters, this state-of-the-art facility offers premium space for maintenance and upgrades, setting a new benchmark for industry standards.
The site also secured ISO 14001 certification in acknowledgment of the business’s positive approach to environmental management.
