Article: Major mobilisation work underway at Toton Traction Maintenance Depot
Construction has started at several locations across the site to ensure the company can hit the ground running when the first locomotives arrive for retrofitting in July.
In total, nine of DB’s Class 66 locomotives will be fitted with ETCS by March 2026.
To accommodate the work, significant modifications are being made to the inside of the main engineering shed at Toton.
Four lanes have been set aside to accommodate the new fleet fitment work, with the heating system being removed from the roof to accommodate new cranes.
New track infrastructure is being installed in the north end yard to accommodate the construction of a second, additional load bank, where locomotive engines are tested.
A new, fully-automated wash plant is also being built in the north end yard to replace the manual operation, which currently takes place in the main engineering shed.
Vegetation clearance work has started next to the oil tanks adjacent to the main crossing, where new modular office accommodation will be sited alongside the new ERTMS Mobile Training Facility.
This work was scheduled to be completed outside of the nesting season to minimise its impact on the site’s abundance of bird life.
The office accommodation will provide a base for colleagues from Siemens Mobility, who will be working alongside DB on the fleet fitment contract.
Siemens Mobility is the East Coast Digital Programme’s chosen partner, responsible for designing, integrating and installing its Trainguard 200 Onboard unit onto freight locomotives.
The onsite preparatory work at Toton is being co-ordinated by Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Manager James Bodill, who said there was a real sense of excitement around the start of the new contract.
“We’re working to a challenging timetable while ensuring that the mobilisation work does not impact on the other important engineering and maintenance activities that take place on the site,” said James.
“Running alongside the infrastructure improvements is a recruitment drive to ensure we have the necessary resource and skills to fulfil our growing portfolio of work,” he added.
James said the new contract would ultimately require the recruitment of an additional 24 new engineers and maintainers.
“This year the UK is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway. Well here at Toton were proud of the role we’re delivering in the rollout of ERTMS here in the UK which will inspire the next generation of pioneering young rail talent,” said James.
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