Ardwick, 2009-Oct-20
Rail expert Siemens is opening the doors of its train maintenance facility at Ardwick in Manchester on Sunday, 25 October as part of the 2009 Manchester Science Festival – offering whistle-stop tours to members of the general public for the very first time.
Running from 24 October to 1 November, over 150 science-related events will take place during this year’s Manchester Science Festival. As a key corporate sponsor of the event, and keen to encourage continued interest in science and engineering-related subjects at all ages, Siemens is offering exclusive, backstage tours of its state-of-the-art depot as well as the opportunity to find out what it is like to drive a train by using an exciting simulator.
Siemens Fleet Manager Pete Redding explains: “Despite our love of trains as a nation, it’s rare that people have the opportunity to go ‘behind the scenes’ and see what actually happens in a working train depot.”
He continued: “The rail industry uses state-of-the-art technology and highly trained technicians to help ensure that trains are available to carry passengers efficiently and in comfort on a day-to-day basis. Our whistle-stop tour gives people the ability to look at how the trains are maintained and meet the staff responsible for their day-to-day service. Taking part in the Manchester Science Festival programme helps us demonstrate the way that science and engineering works hand in hand for the benefit of us all.”
Opening in 2006 following a £30m investment, Ardwick depot is home to around 100 Siemens employees who maintain and look after the country’s most reliable dmu (diesel multiple unit) fleet. The 51 x Desiro Class 185 units are operated across the north of England and into Scotland by First TransPennine Express. Places on the tours, which begin at 10.00am and finish at 3.00pm, are strictly limited.
To register for a tour please visit:
With a workforce of over 18,000 people in the UK, Siemens employs in excess of 600 hand-picked people specifically to service and maintain 10 different fleets of trains. In addition to having outstanding rail-industry expertise, the service and maintenance team incorporates staff from diverse industry sectors such as Formula One, aerospace and yacht building to ensure best practice solutions gained in high pressure environments can be implemented effectively. The team operates a leading edge ‘pit-stop’ maintenance regime to ensure maximum availability of trains.
........................................................ENDS................................................................................
Notes to editors:
The Ardwick whistle-stop tour is part of the 2009 Manchester Science Festival which runs from 24 October - 1 November. The programme includes over 150 exciting science, technology, engineering and maths events for families and adults in venues across Greater Manchester.
Manchester Science Festival brings together universities, organisations and key cultural partners from across the region. The Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) is the lead partner for the Manchester Science Festival, which is supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Siemens. For more information about Manchester Science Festival please visit:
About Siemens in the UK
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 166 years ago and now employs 18,402 people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £3.7 billion. As a leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry and healthcare. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit:
As part of Siemens in the UK, Siemens Mobility employs around 1800 people, providing expertise and technology in rolling stock, rail infrastructure, traffic solutions and infrastructure logistics to the UK transport industry.
In Rolling Stock, Siemens Mobility provides and maintains passenger trains for First TransPennine Express, South West Trains, Heathrow Express, National Express East Anglia, Northern Trains and London Midland. New trains are currently in production for ScotRail.
With proven capability in rail automation, Siemens Mobility has recently delivered a major re-signalling project in the Portsmouth areas, traction power upgrades across the UK and new telecommunications systems in London and the west of England. It is also developing the GSM-R cab radio solution for the entire UK rolling stock fleet. For more information on Siemens Mobility please visit:
For more information, contact:
Laurie Waugh, PR Manager
Siemens plc
Tel. +44 (0)1276 696310
Mob: +44 (0)7921 242074
Reference Number: SiemensReferenceNumber
