The facility, which contains the UK railway’s only test loop, is an invaluable industry asset for testing and trialling new traction technologies, securely storing rolling stock, and providing training in a live environment.

The investment, by the centre’s owner, Porterbrook, will open the site up for electric fleets at speeds of up to 50mph, alongside hydrogen, battery and diesel vehicles. There will also be the capability to support European Train Control System (ETCS) in cab signalling in the future.

We are supplying 350 tonnes of rail for the project through Trackwork, the project’s principle contractor

Trackwork has been appointed to design, supply and install in excess of 11km of track, including sidings, as well as modifications to the existing road layout and level crossings.

As the UK’s only manufacturer of rail, the supply was successfully tendered for by our UK rail team.

Deliveries of 56e1 profile rail started earlier this year and the project is already well underway.

This investment brings Porterbrooks total commitment to the site to £75-million and marks a significant step in enhancing Long Marston’s rail infrastructure.

British Steel’s Darren Cole, UK Account Manager for Rail commented: “We are delighted to have supplied Trackwork with our UK manufactured rails for this project.

“British Steel is the headline sustainability sponsor at Rail Live this year and we will look forward to seeing the newly supplied rails in place as part of the modernisation scheme when we attend in June.”