Date: 08/02/2020

A much-needed state-of-the-art rail depot which cost £46 million to build has opened in Wigan.
The existing freight train yard at Springs Branch, Ince, has been transformed by Network Rail to provide a huge base for Northern trains to be stored overnight.
It is hoped this will help the troubled operator, which will enter public ownership from March, to manage its fleet more effectively and improve the reliability of its services.
The depot, funded by the Department of Transport (DfT), was built as part of the Great North Rail Project, an industry-wide effort to improve train travel for customers across the region.

External links

Huge new £46m rail depot aims to make Northern services more reliable

Manchester Evening News

Train bosses say the 'much-needed' base in Ince will make services more reliable

Related images

Grab shot, from a passing EMU, of work proceeding at the site of the new Springs Branch multiple unit depot on 19th March 2019. The new facility will be built on the trackbed of the former Springs Branch, alongside the old depot, part of which is still used for maintenance of Network Rail MPVs.
Location: Springs Branch Shed
Company: Springs Branch (North Union Railway)
19/03/2019 Mark Bartlett

MPVs dominate the maintenance facility at Springs Branch on o8 March 2019, although one Class 08 shunter was also noticed outside the left hand shed door. Some track renewal (and upgrade) has been taking place in recent months to facilitate access to a new Northern maintenance base for diesel units. This is believed will be located to the left of the existing sidings on the formation of a former freight line serving collieries, canal basins and the Wigan Wagon Works. The WCML line is to the left and the Class 319 is coming off the St Helens line with a service from Liverpool to Wigan North Western.
Location: Springs Branch Junction
Company: Wigan Branch Railway
08/03/2019 John McIntyre