On Tuesday, 16th July, Porterbrook held a Supplier Day 2024 at its Rail Innovation Centre at Long Marston in Warwickshire.

With close partnerships and collaboration throughout the supply chain essential to the future of both Porterbrook and the wider rail industry, representatives from 50 of Porterbrook’s suppliers assembled to discuss how they could enhance and sustain the railway together.

In the morning session, the Porterbrook team discussed their view of the outlook for the years ahead in terms of its passenger and freight strategies.

Jag Maitala from the Department of Transport also gave an insight into the wider extent of strategy and planning for rolling stock.

During the afternoon session, Iain Rae from Brodie Engineering described Brodie’s business and its vision for their future partnership with Porterbrook.

Another speaker was Russell Fletcher from Arriva Train Care, who gave the supplier’s view of the key to a successful collaboration.

Attendees also heard about Porterbrook’s digital offerings before issues about enhancing and sustaining the railway were discussed.

After lunch, many attendees were given a guided tour of the Rail Innovation Centre to see at first-hand the recent upgrades and significant investment that Porterbrook has made in the site.

The Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre covers 135 acres and is connected by rail to the Oxford to Worcester line near Honeybourne.

It provides a site where new traction technologies can be tested in a live environment, and has facilities where rolling stock can be stored securely and training can be undertaken away from the operational railway.

Porterbrook acquired the site in June 2021, since when it has made significant investments to modernise and enhance the facilities.

These include a 3.5 km test track loop, high-quality office and conference spaces, rolling stock storage, an Asset Management Facility, and a training centre. The company finally purchased the site earlier this year.

The site was established by the Ministry of Defence in 1940 as a Royal Engineer’s Supply Depot in World War II for storing equipment and creating training facilities and workshops. The Royal Engineers continued their use of the site for storage and supply until 1999.

Polish Servicemen were housed at the site from 1948 until 1974 as part of a resettlement programme; although that accommodation closed in 1974, a chapel for the Polish Community remained in use until 1999.

St Modwen acquired the site from Defence Estates in 2004 and much of the former Royal Engineer’s Depot became a new community called Meon Vale.