Crewe Works downsizing

[lyndhurst25]

I don't think that this news has been posted on the forum. Bombardier are planning on reducing the size of Crewe Works, with the traverser and everything west of that being demolished to build a housing estate. The planning application can be seen here -

http://planning.cheshireeast.gov.uk...9N&query=d30a2c7b-7526-4674-8a2f-23bba460f92a

Location
BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATIONS, WEST STREET, CREWE, CW1 3JB
Proposal
The demolition of the existing industrial buildings and structures (including the boundary wall along West Street) and the construction of 269 dwellings comprising 24 apartments and 245 houses, together with other associated works, including the provision of public open space, the laying out of roads and footways (with two new accesses from West Street), and hard and soft landscaping

I'm not sure what work currently goes on at Crewe. Is it just component overhauls or do they still have rolling stock in and out? Once the traverser goes then getting actual trains into most of what remains of the works looks tricky.

 

[gordonthemoron]

I wasn't aware that Crewe works still existed

 

[E_Reeves]

It was acquired by Bombardier in 2001 and used for overhaul jobs. https://uk.bombardier.com/en/about-us/bombardier-in-country/sites/site.transportation-crewe.html

 

[Mikey C]

According to that link they do

Component Re-Engineering & Overhaul
(Bogies, Wheels & Traction – including Rewinds and Electrical Controls)

That doesn't sound like something that needs an actual connection to the rail network?

 

[Ash Bridge]

I'm sure that I'd read somewhere that the mainline connection was removed around three or maybe more years ago now?

 

[lyndhurst25]

I'm sure that I'd read somewhere that the mainline connection was removed around three or maybe more years ago now?

I'd read that it was removed (by mistake?) and then relaid. Not sure if it was ever used though.

Found it -
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/77346-crewe-works-whats-currently-in-there/page-2

 

[Ash Bridge]

I'd read that it was removed (by mistake?) and then relaid. Not sure if it was ever used though.

Found it -
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/77346-crewe-works-whats-currently-in-there/page-2

Ah thanks very much for providing that, good to know it's been reinstated although after reading your first posting it now sadly seems even less likely that those railheads will ever have a shine on them again

 

[sw1ller]

Is this the same place the wheel turning lathe is? Or is that somewhere different? I know Chester depot hasn’t got one so will only leave canton for the wales and border franchise (whoever that will be next year)

 

[snowball]

Either the current issue of Rail magaine or the previous one has an article about train maintenance at Crewe but I'm not sure if it's the same establishment this thread is about.

 

[Elecman]

Either the current issue of Rail magaine or the previous one has an article about train maintenance at Crewe but I'm not sure if it's the same establishment this thread is about.

No that was about the Arriva Traincare depot which is South of the Station. Crewe works is North and West of the station.

 

[ag51ruk]

A large amount of the site was sold for housing a few years ago, and that is mostly complete but with some building work continuing. This latest application will be another large chunk, there won't be a lot left compared to the works in it's heyday

 

[Ash Bridge]

A large amount of the site was sold for housing a few years ago, and that is mostly complete but with some building work continuing. This latest application will be another large chunk, there won't be a lot left compared to the works in it's heyday

So if I'm thinking correctly, everything west of the traverser includes the former main erecting and diesel & electric locomotive repair shops that would be earmarked for redevelopment? if so that's another huge chunk of railway history biting the dust, shot below taken during happier times (1976)

 

[edwin_m]

With so many TOCs getting new trains the future for the overhaul business is probably pretty bleak.

 

[Western Lord]

With so many TOCs getting new trains the future for the overhaul business is probably pretty bleak.

Are these the new maintenance free trains? New trains don't stay new for long and will at some point require overhaul, or are we adopting a use once and throw away system?

 

[edwin_m]

Are these the new maintenance free trains? New trains don't stay new for long and will at some point require overhaul, or are we adopting a use once and throw away system?

A few years ago we would have been expecting the 1980s-vintage EMUs in particular to be refurbished and re-engineered about now for another 20 years service. But although a few have been done, franchises such as SWR, Anglia and West Midlands have gone for new trains and the prospect of further use for even the ones that have been re-engineered already is pretty limited. In that sort of market it's unlikely anyone will commit to further large-scale refurbishment and re-engineering. So there will still be overhauls but probably not the sort of major mid-life re-build that some people might have been expecting.