Story Contracting, working on behalf of Network Rail and Northern, has successfully installed a cutting-edge wheel lathe at the Allerton TrainCare Centre in Merseyside, significantly enhancing the facility’s train maintenance capabilities.
The new wheel lathe, affectionately named ‘Tina’ by Northern staff after the iconic singer Tina Turner, is designed to reshape, balance, and repair train wheels while still attached to the trains. This eliminates the need for wheel removal, reducing maintenance downtime and ensuring minimal disruption to passenger services.
The installation of the lathe, which began in September 2023, was made possible by a £6.8 million investment from Network Rail. The project required the excavation of 1,600 tonnes of soil, stone, and concrete to prepare the site, followed by the use of 184 tonnes of concrete to secure the lathe in place.
This development builds on the long-standing tradition of wheel-lathe operations at Allerton Depot, which has served as a key hub for train maintenance since the 1950s. The new lathe doubles the depot’s wheel-lathing capacity, streamlining operations and ensuring the continued reliability of Northern’s fleet.
Martin Smith, Regional Director for Story Contracting, expressed pride in the completion of the project: “We are delighted to have successfully delivered this state-of-the-art wheel lathe, a testament to Story Contracting’s engineering excellence. Our team’s hard work and collaboration with Network Rail and Northern have enabled the seamless integration of this new technology at Allerton Depot.”
Clinton Ralphs, Network Rail’s North West route sponsor, praised the upgrade: “It’s fantastic to see the new lathe operational, significantly improving the efficiency of our wheel-turning process. This joint project with Northern has revitalized an important part of Allerton’s history, boosting capacity, performance, and reliability.”
Jack Commandeur, Engineering Director at Northern, highlighted the benefits of the new lathe: “Tina will revolutionize our wheel repair process, allowing us to extend the lifespan of train wheels and reduce maintenance costs. The increase in wheel-lathing capacity will also minimize the time trains spend out of service.”
The successful delivery of this project marks a major milestone in Allerton Depot’s ongoing commitment to engineering excellence and rail maintenance innovation.