Hexagon Consultancy is delighted to announce the successful completion and opening of the new Tonbridge depot maintenance facility. The project, undertaken in partnership with Cairn Cross, involved the design and construction of a 35m by 9m maintenance shed within the depot existing sidings.
The new facility is equipped with essential infrastructure, including an exhaust extraction system, lighting, electrical sockets, and a compressed air system. To ensure a seamless integration with the surrounding rail network, Hexagon Consultancy worked closely with Cairn Cross to ensure a compliant design to railway standards.
Hexagon undertook a feasibility study and developed this into outline and subsequent detailed design. The building has a reinforced concrete base supported on CFA piles and a 25m long inspection pit. The superstructure is a steel portal frame with insulated cladding and a roller shutter door on the eastern elevation. Permanent way track realignment was designed to allow locomotive rolling stock access to the shed whilst maintaining gauge clearances to the adjacent siding road.
The Tonbridge rail depot officially opened on Friday, August 30, 2024, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by key stakeholders, including John Smith, Chief Executive Officer at GB Railfreight, Adam Southern, Delivery Director Track Treatment at Network Rail, and Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General at the Rail Freight Group.
“This new facility underscores our commitment to investing in the rail network and enhancing our operational efficiency,” said John Smith. “The Tonbridge depot will not only benefit our locomotive fleet but also improve passenger experiences and safety across the region.”
Adam Southern added, “The Tonbridge depot is a crucial addition to our autumn and winter services, helping to combat the challenges posed by leaf-fall and frost. GB Railfreight’s new maintenance hub will provide greater resilience and reliability for our seasonal fleet.”
Maggie Simpson expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “The rail freight sector is thriving, and it’s fantastic to see private operators like GB Railfreight investing in facilities like this. The Tonbridge depot will enhance capacity, reliability, and resilience for rail freight customers nationwide.”
Hexagon Consultancy’s expertise in structural engineering played a pivotal role in delivering a high-quality and sustainable rail depot that meets the specific needs of GB Railfreight and the wider rail industry.
Learn more about Hexagons services. Images curtesy of Cairn Cross.
