Story Contracting, on behalf of Network Rail and Northern, has successfully delivered a state-of-the-art wheel lathe at the Allerton TrainCare Centre in Merseyside, enhancing train maintenance efficiency.
The advanced machine reshapes, balances, and repairs train wheels without requiring their removal, reducing downtime and minimizing disruption to passenger services.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘Tina’ by Northern staff – after the legendary Proud Mary singer – the lathe has doubled the depot’s wheel-lathing capacity, ensuring smoother operations and keeping the train fleet running seamlessly.
Work to bring the lathe into service began in September 2023, with Network Rail investing £6.8 million as part of a joint initiative with Northern. The project involved excavating 1,600 tonnes of soil, stone, and concrete to make space for the machine, with 184 tonnes of concrete used to secure it in place.
This latest upgrade builds on Allerton Depot’s rich history of wheel lathe use, dating back to the 1950s, reinforcing its role as a key hub for train maintenance.
Martin Smith, Regional Director for Story Contracting, said: “We are incredibly proud to have successfully and safely delivered the new wheel lathe at Allerton TrainCare Centre, a project that highlights Story Contracting’s commitment to engineering excellence.
“Our team’s dedication and collaboration with Network Rail and Northern have ensured the seamless integration of this cutting-edge technology, reinforcing Allerton Depot’s legacy as a key hub for rail engineering. Well done to everyone involved in bringing this project to life.”
Clinton Ralphs, Network Rail North west route sponsor for the project, said: “It’s fantastic to see the new tandem wheel lathe now operational at Allerton Depot, significantly improving the efficiency of our wheel turning process.
“This joint venture with Northern has allowed us to revive a key aspect of Allerton Depot’s history, by installing the new wheel lathe equipment at the depot, giving improved capacity, performance and reliability for Northern. After much anticipation, it’s wonderful to witness its arrival, which will undoubtedly enhance the engineering capabilities at the depot.”
Jack Commandeur, engineering director at Northern, said: “Tina is a very much welcomed addition to the engineering arsenal and will enable us to repair wheels without having to remove them from the train, which makes the process far more efficient.
“Turning wheels on the lathe extends their life and reduces the costs associated with replacing them. The increase in wheel lathing capacity also means trains will spend less time out of passenger service for maintenance.
“This has been a significant project to deliver requiring perseverance and co-operation on all sides and I am thankful to the team at Network Rail, my colleagues here at Northern and our suppliers for delivering this fabulous new capability.”
