Coventry-based MNB Precision has continued its diversification into the rail market after supplying precision engineered parts to be fitted into new axle mounted locomotive gearboxes for Clayton Equipment, a UK manufacturer of battery, trolley, and diesel locomotives for mining, tunnelling and mainline applications. This is a time of unprecedented growth for the company. This is what’s created this second wave of investment,” said Hughes. Nevertheless, the two big projects for the Deep Tube (for which Hitachi and Bombardier are bidding jointly) and HS2 will be “once in a generation programmes” which the main players will be in contention for. “So we could actually build there as well as just carrying out servicing,” Hulme continued. With Alstom and CAF looking at establishing new train building facilities in the UK, they are both going to find stiff competition from Bombardier and Hitachi. But, he added: “What IEP gave us was that opportunity to build a new manufacturing plant in the UK. The company has bids on the table for the coming West Midlands and Southeastern competitions, and the “building blocks” of Aventra are being used for commuter train bids in India, South America and Australia. The Railway Shop - manufacturer and supplier of high quality products at competitive prices for the UK's railway industry and beyond. The new manufacturing and assembly plant in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham is being developed to support the DfT-led Intercity Express Programme and future Hitachi Rail projects. Visit TRSL today to see what we can do for you. Rail Sector Deal Setting out how the rail industry and the government will work in partnership to transform the rail sector - to increase the use of digital technology, boost productivity, improve services for those using our railways, and build the skills of the UK workforce to capitalise on these opportunities. Now it is turning out Aventra trains for Crossrail and a number of other clients. And CAF’s announcement came two weeks after the official opening of Alstom’s new train maintenance and technology centre in Widnes, which the company says could be extended to manufacture trains in the future if it wins a significant order. Hitachi’s Nick Hughes said the UK market has “exploded” in recent years. CAF follows in the footsteps of Japan’s Hitachi, whose Newton Aycliffe plant opened in 2015 and is now turning out Intercity Express trains for the Great Western and East Coast main lines. That allows you to think about the supply chain, employment, and young people we want to train to be engineers in the factory in the future.”. All comments are moderated. “We needed a facility we could invest in and gain capability for the longer term,” he said. Our work together demonstrates that there is still demand for UK-manufactured goods in the rail sector and our machining capabilities put us in a strong position to work with similar businesses as the UK regains its position as a world leader in rail.”. It set up a small bidding team in London and came close to winning the contract to supply rolling stock to Connex’s Southeastern franchise. “It’s under consideration. We could see oversupply, if too many new plants spring up.”. “It allowed Hitachi to demonstrate its technical expertise.” The trains had to be capable of running at 100mph on third rail electrified track and at 140mph on HS1. Hitachi Rail is looking for candidates with the right attitude and values; professional experience does not need to be drawn from the rail sector. Two well established UK manufacturing businesses are giving the nation’s rail sector a much-needed boost by collaborating on a project for a new fleet of rail haulage locomotives.