Siemens Mobility’s Goole Rail Village: A New Era of Train Manufacturing in the UK

IntentTech Pub Staff Writer |
October, 2024

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Siemens Mobility is set to revolutionize train manufacturing in the United Kingdom with the grand opening of its Goole Rail Village. This state-of-the-art facility, spanning an impressive 67 acres (equivalent to 35 football pitches), marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to local production and innovation. The opening of the Goole Rail Village in East Yorkshire marks a significant milestone for Siemens Mobility’s commitment to the United Kingdom, following an investment of €230 million. Siemens also announced a new up to €50 million investment in addition to the up to €230 million investment in the Goole Rail Village, creating up to 300 more jobs at the site.

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At the heart of the Goole Rail Village lies a cutting-edge train manufacturing plant. This facility will be responsible for assembling the London Underground’s new Piccadilly line trains. These modern, high-capacity trains will play a crucial role in transforming rail travel across the UK’s capital, offering passengers improved comfort, reliability, and efficiency.

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Siemens Mobility’s investment in the Goole Rail Village extends far beyond the factory itself.

By 2030, the project is expected to create up to 700 new jobs in the region, providing a much-needed boost to the local economy. Additionally, the facility will generate 1,700 supply chain opportunities, fostering growth and development among local businesses.

This strategic investment not only strengthens local production capabilities but also positions Siemens Mobility to serve global markets. The Goole Rail Village will serve as a hub for advanced train manufacturing, showcasing the UK’s expertise in this vital industry.

Commenting on the investment, UK Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: “This impressive, world-class facility will be transformational to Goole and its people, providing a boost to the region’s economy and supporting hundreds of skilled jobs. Its opening demonstrates the importance of high quality, long-term investment to pave the way for employment and growth. I know how vital rail manufacturing is to our economy, which is why we will not sit on our hands when it comes to supporting it. For too long, the cycle of boom-and-bust has held back this sector. That’s why I am determined to put an end to the stop-start approach to investment and provide the industry with the certainty it needs to deliver a railway that is fit for the future.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “This train manufacturing facility in Goole is a fantastic example of the expertise we don’t have and how investment in London benefits the whole country. This factory, where the new state-of-the-art Piccadilly line trains will be built, will create up to 900 direct jobs and support another 1,700 in the supply chain, delivering great benefits to the wider UK economy, showing that where London succeeds, the whole country succeeds and vice versa. I’m excited to continue working together with the new Government to build a better, fairer and more prosperous London, and country, for everyone.”

“We are celebrating the opening our Rail Village in Goole, East Yorkshire, where we are investing up to €277 million in building a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for the Piccadilly line as well as for future UK train fleets and a host of other facilities. This great moment builds upon our significant investments in a modern signalling manufacturing facility in Chippenham, further solidifying our long-term commitment to the advancement of the UK’s rail industry,” said Karl Blaim, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of Siemens Mobility.

Karl added, “Siemens Mobility has a proud history of over 180 years in the United Kingdom and has been transforming rail, travel, and transport in Britain. We have delivered every fourth passenger train in the UK, are pioneers in digital signaling technology and provide leading service solutions. Our dedicated team of 5,500 UK employees is committed to delivering top-quality transportation solutions, from Britain, for Britain.”

Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “The opening of the Siemens Mobility factory in Goole marks a new stage in this transformational project. The new Piccadilly line trains that are being assembled in Goole will change the experience of millions of Tube customers every year, helping to drive growth and revitalise communities not only in the capital but across the country thanks to the supply chain. We are working with Siemens Mobility, the Mayor of London and the Government to ensure that the benefits felt from this project will continue through funding for new Bakerloo line trains to replace the existing fleet, which at more than 50 years old is the oldest operating in daily passenger service anywhere in the UK. We look forward to welcoming the first new Piccadilly line test train to London later this year and for customers to start using them when they come into service from next year.”

The Goole Train Manufacturing Facility, with its cutting-edge technology, highly skilled workforce, and strategic location, is set to become a cornerstone of the British and global rail industry. It will bolster the UK’s rail manufacturing capabilities.

The Goole Rail Village consists of the Train Manufacturing Facility which assembles and commissions trains, the Components Facility where Siemens maintains gearboxes, traction motors and other parts for train and tram fleets, the Logistics Center warehousing facility and the Rail Accelerator and Innovation Solutions hub for Enterprise (RaisE) business center, all of which will now be joined by the Bogie Assembly and Service Center.