Axiom Rail opens new maintenance facility at Cambridge for the CrossCountry franchise

Axiom Rail opened a new train maintenance facility at Cambridge to service trains for the new CrossCountry franchise on Sunday 11 November 2007.

The new depot has been created from the former Maintrain facility at Cambridge.  Axiom Rail will service and maintain five CrossCountry Class 170 trains a day at this site. It will be the first time that Axiom Rail has contracted directly with a passenger franchise operator on a long-term basis, and all 18 staff previously employed by Maintrain at the Cambridge depot have transferred to Axiom Rail.

Axiom Rail has extensive experience in servicing the CrossCountry Voyager train fleet through its continuing contract with Bombardier for Virgin Trains, the previous franchise operator, where high delivery targets have been consistently met.  These same standards will be deployed by Axiom Rail at Cambridge for CrossCountry.

Paul McKeown, Axiom Rail Managing Director, said:  “Axiom Rail is inheriting a strong and proud workforce at Cambridge with a solid reputation for delivering for their customers.  The new depot marks an exciting expansion of Axiom Rail and we are pleased to be working closely with CrossCountry.  Our job is to deliver trains serviced and maintained as promised to ensure CrossCountry operates its trains as planned for its customers.  We look forward to delivering for them and their passengers daily under the new CrossCountry franchise.”

Axiom Rail is a diverse engineering company providing maintenance, leasing, refurbishment and suspension systems services.  Axiom Rail employs over 400 people nationwide.

Notes to Editors:

For further information, please contact Graham Meiklejohn, Axiom Rail Media and Public Affairs Manager, on 0870 140 5795 or graham.meiklejohn@ews-railway.co.uk