Multi-million-pound investment in state-of-the-art train component overhaul and repair facilities at Alstom’s historic Crewe Works
New heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) facility will create more than 100 roles in the Cheshire town.
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Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, is celebrating after opening a new train component overhaul and repair facility inside its Crewe Works.
Alongside a state-of-the-art area for refurbishing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units, Alstom has also developed a suite of new offices as part of a multi-million pound investment for the future of the Cheshire town's historic site.
HVAC Area
An HVAC unit controls a train’s air temperature, humidity and quality. These systems work by drawing in air, heating or cooling it, and then circulating it back into a carriage, while also managing ventilation and filtration. Alstom’s newly-installed equipment in Crewe enables trains’ HVAC units to be expertly inspected before they are regassed and brazed.
As part of a full overhaul and repair, operatives change out refrigerant, and worn parts are replaced to restore systems to optimal performance and extend their lifespan. Additionally, Crewe’s bespoke test cells enable climatic chamber examinations, as they replicate various onboard conditions the systems experience in passenger service.
Prior to the new facility opening, Crewe Works was able to process around 16 HVAC units per week. This has now doubled to 35 and will reach around 50 by January when the HVAC Area is expanded further to help meet demand. Seventy new skilled roles have already been created to operate the facility, which will rise to around 110 in the New Year.
Operatives are currently overhauling HVAC units on Class 334, Class 375, Class 377, Class 387 and Class 390 trains, with work on Class 222 and Class 378 trains following in 2026.
“As the UK’s leading supplier of train services, we’re proud to have invested more than £2 million in new technology and offices at Crewe Works. This expansion not only futureproofs our operations but also enables us to better serve customers across the country with enhanced capacity and capability,” said Steve Harvey, Services Director UK and Ireland at Alstom.
He added: “Crewe has played a pivotal role in Britain’s rail history and this latest development will ensure it remains at the heart of train maintenance in the UK. We’re excited about the opportunities this creates – it’s a landmark investment in both technology and talent.”
Originally opened by the Grand Junction Railway in 1843 to manufacture steam locomotives, Crewe Works was instrumental in the development of the town, with its population growing from 500 in 1841 to more than 40,000 by 1900.
Along with the new HVAC Area, Crewe Works is today home to Alstom’s UK Centre of Excellence for Bogie, Wheel and Traction Motor Overhaul, overhauling over 20,000 bogies during the past ten years for the UK rail market. Looking ahead, the bogies – which house a train’s wheel sets – for the High Speed Two (HS2) rolling stock will be made by Alstom at their Crewe facility. This marks the first time in almost two decades that these have been manufactured in the UK.
New offices
Meanwhile, Alstom has partnered with Woodhouse to deliver a transformative refurbishment of their General Office space within the Crewe Works site. Woodhouse developed a progressive design for the 20,000 sq ft space that has enabled the office area to adapt and support Alstom’s growth plans for the site.
The design credits the building’s industrial heritage, stripping it back to its former steam locomotive manufacturing and repair facility by exposing the striking steel structure. A new mezzanine level has been installed, housing a suite of modern meeting rooms, while the ground floor features a spacious open-plan office, additional meeting spaces and a welcoming reception area designed to enhance the visitor experience. The refurbishment also includes a vibrant breakout and teapoint area, encouraging collaboration and connection amongst staff.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside the team at Alstom to delivery this inspiring, future-ready workspace that reflects the company’s values and vision,” said Ralph Dummer, Project Director at Woodhouse.
Delivered through close collaboration with Alstom’s team, the project successfully unites displaced teams (as a result of the HVAC Area expansion), integrates sustainable design principles and enhances the digital experience for the more than 300 employees based at Crewe Works.
The new HVAC Area and offices were officially opened on Tuesday 28 October by Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK and Ireland; Steve Harvey, Services Director UK and Ireland; and Steve Hadfield, Project Director at Alstom. They were joined at the ribbon-cutting ceremony by local dignitaries, including Councillor Stuart Mackay, Deputy Mayor of Crewe; Councillor Kevin Murray, Crewe Town Council; and Paul Colman, Chief Executive at South and North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The site is run by Mark Derbyshire, General Manager, who also gave a passionate speech thanking teams from Alstom, Woodhouse and their contractors at the launch event.
TV appearance
Crewe Works will remain in the limelight as the facility is set to star in an episode of 5’s popular documentary series, ‘Britain's Most Scenic Counties: Cheshire’. Joining Mark Derbyshire for a shift, viewers get to see the work involved to successfully carry out a bogie overhaul and return it to passenger service within the space of a week. The episode featuring Crewe Works will be broadcast in the UK at 9pm on Friday 7 November before being available on-demand.
Globally, Alstom is the market leader in rail services, supporting customers over the entire asset lifecycle with the broadest portfolio of services solutions. Alstom’s maintenance services are tailored to customer needs and operational requirements, from technical support with spares to fully outsourced maintenance solutions. Alstom maintains over 35,500 vehicles worldwide and is a trusted partner for servicing both Alstom and non-Alstom rail assets.
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