A new 3.5km electrified test track has been opened at Long Marston by rail minister Peter Hendy.
Lord Hendy was joined by Porterbrook CEO Mary Grant. The rolling stock leasing company acquired the 56 hectare site at Long Marston, between Honeybourne and Stratford-upon-Avon, in 2021, and bought the freehold three years later.
Porterbrook said it had invested more than £75 million in the site, and another £14 million to build a hydrogen-powered train, HydroFLEX, which was developed in conjunction with the University of Birmingham and is a converted Class 319 unit, now known as Class 799.
Rail minister Lord Hendy said: ‘The Rail Innovation Centre at Long Marston is a brilliant initiative which will support the next generation of trains in Britain.
‘It was an honour to launch the centre’s new testing loop today and as a passenger, I look forward to travelling on the trains that have benefited from being tested at the site.
‘This kind of innovation is exactly what we want to see as we move towards Great British Railways so we can build a railway fit for the future which the public can rely on, and be proud of.’
Mary Grant said: ‘Long Marston is for the benefit of the whole industry. A site tailor-made for innovation that demonstrates how private capital can work hand-in-hand with Great British Railways to deliver an exceptional service to the travelling public.
‘We’re making clear, long-term commitments to UK rail, not just as a financier, but as a genuine partner adding value now and for the future.’
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