Network Rail has donated four vehicles loaded with equipment to Ukraine to help keep the Ukrainian railways running.

A request for help from the international railway family came from Ukrainian Railways, Ukrzaliznytsia, via the International Union of Railways (UIC). Following the invasion by Russia, equipment and spares were needed to help keep their railway running.

The railways provide vital routes for evacuation and humanitarian aid, but there has been significant damage to railway infrastructure and obvious safety risks for workers.

Network Rail heeded the call and donated four vehicles, loaded with spares and railway tools, including generators, drills, jacks, and cutting equipment. Helped by partners in the supply chain, they were delivered on Monday, 16th May.

Five Network Rail staff drove the four vehicles through six countries to Poland. They covered some 2,000 km in three days, although the final part of the journey, across the border into Ukraine, was managed by Polish Railways.

This is not the first time that Britain’s railway industry has come to the aid of Ukraine. Earlier this year, UK Rail for Ukraine assembled a train-load of humanitarian aid donated from many businesses to help the many thousands of people displaced and at-risk victims of the war.

Allan Spence, Network Rail’s director of regulator liaison, said:

“We didn’t hesitate when the request for help came through. We often talk about the railway family here in Britain, but the family has international connections too. Anyone who has watched the news over the last few months has been moved by what they’ve seen and that spurred us into action.

“We took the vehicles loaded with much-needed equipment, to a depot near the Polish-Ukrainian border. We had lots of help along the way – like complimentary travel through the channel tunnel, radios loaned by High Motive and help to get back from Polish Railways (PKP). And the loads we took included lots of kit from our contractors.”

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

“It’s inspiring that Network Rail have used their knowledge and expertise to help keep the Ukrainian railways moving by providing vital equipment and aid for their evacuation routes.

“Our fantastic transport network continues to demonstrate huge amounts of support and generosity to those fleeing Putin’s brutal invasion.”