Transport Secretary Louise Haigh marked the official opening of a new £200m train manufacturing facility in Goole, East Yorkshire, yesterday.
The cutting-edge plant is set to be a key hub for building the UK’s next generation of trains, including the much-anticipated new trains for London’s Piccadilly line, with up to 80% of the production happening in Goole. Siemens Mobility also plans to assemble all future UK train orders at the facility, including their latest battery-powered models. The factory is further expected to cater to global markets by 2030.
Alongside the initial investment, Siemens Mobility committed an additional £40m to developing a Bogie Assembly and Service Centre. This new centre will boost Siemens’ capabilities by maintaining and overhauling bogies for UK trains, including a fleet of 572 trains they already service. For the first time in the UK, the site will also feature production lines dedicated to assembling bogies for newly manufactured trains.
The wider Goole Rail Village is anticipated to bring around 900 new direct jobs to the region, while supporting up to 1,700 more in associated supply chains.
The Goole Rail Village includes multiple components: the Train Manufacturing Facility, responsible for assembling and commissioning trains; a Components Facility, where Siemens maintains vital parts like traction motors and gearboxes; a Logistics Centre; and the Rail Accelerator and Innovation Solutions hub (RaisE), a business centre. The newly opened Bogie Assembly and Service Centre now joins these facilities, further cementing Goole’s role in the UK rail industry.
During the opening ceremony, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh emphasized the impact this new facility will have on the local economy: “This world-class facility is a game-changer for Goole, bringing new jobs and supporting economic growth in the region. Its opening is a clear signal of the value that long-term investment can have in driving forward both employment and prosperity.
“Rail manufacturing is vital to our national economy, and it’s essential that we support its continued growth. For too long, this industry has been held back by fluctuating investment cycles, but we are determined to change that and ensure a more stable, forward-looking approach.”
Image credit: Siemens Mobility
