PORTERBROOK officially opened Britain’s first electrified testing loop at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in central England on June 4. The electrified line forms part of Porterbrook’s wider £75m investment at the 54ha site.
The electrified loop was inaugurated by Britain’s rail minister, Lord Peter Hendy, who says the centre will support the development of Britain’s next generation rolling stock.
Britain’s only continuous test loop supports speeds of up to 80km/h and is suitable for both dynamic and static testing at 25kV ac. The loop has capacity for 1609km of accumulation testing per week while the double-track line supports bi-directional operation. Dynamic and rheostatic brake tests and coupling tests are all possible. The loop is also suitable for future upgrade to ETCS.
Siemens Mobility supplied its new Sicat SX inclined overhead catenary solution for the loop. Intended to reduce the footprint of overhead line equipment, it features span lengths of up to 112m and tension lengths of 2000m.
In addition, Porterbrook has invested £1.7m in a Rail Charging Converter also supplied by Siemens, which can convert 11kV local charge into a 25kV ac power supply required for rail operations. The system has the potential to support discontinuous electrification, which is proposed for several projects in Britain. Siemens also supplied signalling equipment for the test loop.
Investment
Porterbrook, traditionally a fleet owner and leasing company, took over operations at Long Marston in 2021, purchasing the site’s freehold in 2024. The group says it has invested more than £1bn in new trains, fleet upgrades, traction and rail infrastructure over the last five years.
“Long Marston is for the benefit of the whole industry,” says Porterbrook CEO, Mary Grant. “A site tailor-made for innovation that demonstrates how private capital can work hand-in-hand with Great British Railways to deliver an exceptional service to the travelling public.
“We’re making clear, long-term commitments to UK rail, not just as a financier, but as a genuine partner adding value now and for the future.”
