Alstom has marked a major milestone in Crewe's rail heritage, with the opening of a new train component overhaul and repair facility at Crewe Works.

The global transport leader has invested more than £2 million in new technology and modern offices at the historic site, boosting capacity and creating new skilled jobs.

A new state-of-the-art area for refurbishing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units has doubled output. The facility can now process around 35 units per week and is expected to reach 50 by January when expansion work is complete.

Seventy new skilled roles have already been created, rising to around 110 in the new year.

The new HVAC area and offices were officially opened on 28 October by Managing Director UK and Ireland, Rob Whyte, Services Director UK and Ireland, Steve Harvey and Project Director at Alstom, Steve Hadfield (Photo: Richard Gennis).

Operatives are currently overhauling HVAC units on Class 334, 375, 377, 387 and 390 trains, with Class 222 and 378 units to follow in 2026.

Services Director UK and Ireland at Alstom, Steve Harvey, said: "As the UK's leading supplier of train services, we are proud to have invested more than £2 million in new technology and offices at Crewe Works.

"This expansion not only futureproofs our operations but also enables us to better serve customers across the country with enhanced capacity and capability.

"Crewe has played a pivotal role in Britain's rail history and this latest development will ensure it remains at the heart of train maintenance in the UK. We're excited about the opportunities this creates, it is a landmark investment in both technology and talent."

Crewe Works was opened by the Grand Junction Railway in 1843 and helped shape the town's growth from a population of 500 in 1841 to over 40,000 by 1900.

Today, it remains central to Alstom's UK operations as the company's Centre of Excellence for Bogie, Wheel and Traction Motor Overhaul.

Seventy new skilled roles have already been created, rising to around 110 in the new year (Photo: Richard Gennis).

More than 20,000 bogies have been overhauled at the site over the past decade.

Bogies for the new High Speed Two (HS2) trains will also be manufactured in Crewe, the first time in nearly two decades that this work has been done in the UK.

The investment also includes a full refurbishment of the site's 20,000 sq ft General Office, delivered with design partner Woodhouse.

This project has created a modern workspace that celebrates the building's industrial heritage with exposed steelwork, new meeting rooms and open-plan areas.

Project Director at Woodhouse, Ralph Dummer, said: "It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside the team at Alstom to deliver this inspiring, future-ready workspace that reflects the company's values and vision."

The new HVAC area and offices were officially opened on 28 October by Managing Director UK and Ireland, Rob Whyte, Services Director UK and Ireland, Steve Harvey and Project Director at Alstom, Steve Hadfield.

Bogies for the new High Speed Two (HS2) trains will also be manufactured in Crewe, the first time in nearly two decades that this work has been done in the UK (Photo: Richard Gennis).

Crewe Works will remain in the limelight as the facility is set to star in an episode of 5's popular documentary series, 'Britain's Most Scenic Counties: Cheshire'.

Joining Mark Derbyshire for a shift, viewers will get to see the work involved to successfully carry out a bogie overhaul and return it to passenger service within the space of a week.

The episode featuring Crewe Works will be broadcast in the UK at 9pm on Friday 7 November before being available on-demand.

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