Preparation underway for Severn Tunnel electrification

Network Rail is making preparations for the electrification of the Severn Tunnel at a state-of-the-art training facility in Wales.

From Monday 12 September, the 130 year old passage will shutdown for six weeks to ready it for electrification – a critical milestone in delivery of electric trains for passengers in South Wales, and an integral part of Network Rail’s ongoing Railway Upgrade Plan.

The cutting edge training facility at Coleg Y Cymoedd in Nantgarw has been jointly funded by the College itself and the Welsh Government. It houses a life size mock-up of the overhead equipment that will be used to power the fleet of innovative new electric trains through the tunnel. Crucially, it is the only facility in the UK to offer training on a specially designed piece of equipment – the Rigid Overhead Conductor Rail.

Minister for Skills and Science, Julie James commented: “Coleg y Cymoedd delivers first class training in a first class facility, ensuring there is a skilled workforce to deliver the major improvements Wales’ rail infrastructure will see over the next five years. When the facility in Nantgarw opened in September last year, we knew our £1.54M investment would be put to the best possible use. Network Rail, with support from the Welsh Government, will spend more than £1Bn modernising the rail system in Wales. The fact we can support Network Rail in this way as it moves into its new era is something of which we can be rightly proud.”

Judith Evans, Principal of Coleg y Cymoedd, added: “The College could expand off the back of the electrification programme. We’ve got four campuses across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly, and the Rail Centre at our Nantgarw campus is easily accessible from the M4. I’ve already started discussions within the College as to whether or not in the next year or two we might even consider expanding. If the growth continues at the speed it is, I can see us having to put on an extension in the future.”

During the six week closure, 200 members of Network Rail’s famous orange army will be working day and night to install over eight miles of conductor rail.

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