An important aspect of the operation and maintaining assets in the rail industry on the national rail network or in the Heritage Rail sector is Engineering.

With that in mind, Greater Anglia has announced that a brand-new wheel lathe will soon be delivered to Clacton Rail Depot, Essex, as part of a £17m project.

In collaboration with the Spencer Group, which is responsible for the design and construction, Greater Anglia is set to have its own permanent wheel lathe facility for the first time.

A wheel lathe enables train operators to service their fleet on-site, revolutionizing the preparation of trains for service.

Trains experience daily wear and tear, leading to minor flat spots on the wheels. A wheel lathe precisely re-profiles each wheel to correct this issue.

It starts by measuring each wheel’s dimensions and determining the amount of metal to remove. After precise calculations, the wheel is re-profiled to restore its roundness. Following the cutting process, the lathe reassesses the wheels to confirm their condition before the train is cleared for service.

The installation of the new wheel lathe at Clacton Rail Depot enables quicker wheel maintenance, reducing the downtime of affected trains and thus offering a more dependable service to passengers.

It also saves Greater Anglia time and money by having such a facility on their own network, where, as before, Greater Anglia trains had to be sent to another workshop on a different rail network. A process that the Tyne & Wear metro came to avoid in 2022 when their own wheel lathe was delivered.

Also, as part of the £17m project, a new building will be situated on the site formerly used by the old Clacton Steam Shed and the disused approach road from the current Shunting Spur.

During the construction phase, there will also be alterations to the tracks, the local points system, signals, and overhead line equipment. Preparatory work for the new 5,000 square metre (54,000 square foot) development has been finished, and the physical construction of the housing complex by specialized rail and civil engineering teams is set to start shortly.

Spencer Group, acting on behalf of Greater Anglia, will deliver a new welfare facility for maintenance staff, complete with utility services and connections, in addition to a walkway for drivers and lighting facilities to support preparation activities.

The facility is slated to open in the summer of 2025 with support from the Department for Transport.

“The installation of the new wheel lathe at the Clacton Depot is the first time that Greater Anglia has had its own permanent wheel lathe facility.

Andrew Goodrum, Greater Anglia Client & Programme Director

The £17 million project represents a significant investment in Clacton. The new facility will not only enhance rail services but will also provide employment for over 9 highly skilled workers.

These professionals will become part of the current workforce of 87 in Clacton, which comprises 42 drivers, 8 depot drivers, 27 conductors, 4 customer sales staff, and 6 cleaning staff.

“We are delighted to be delivering this project for Greater Anglia to enhance the facilities at the busy Clacton depot.

Tony Wells, Spencer Group Pre-construction Project Director

The entire Greater Anglia fleet, encompassing the Class 745, Class 720, and Class 755 units, will be able to utilize the wheel lathe facility.

The lathe itself has been manufactured in Erkelenz, Germany, by Hegenscheidt-MFD a company that specialises in creating tools and machinery for the railway and the automotive industry.