Greater Anglia’s Norwich Crown Point Depot celebrates 40 years

Above: Greater Anglia’s Crown Point Depot Credit: Greater Anglia Greater Anglia’s Norwich Crown Point Depot is celebrating 40 years of servicing Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex’s trains. The depot, which employs over 100 staff, has seen many changes over the years, most recently undergoing an extensive redevelopment to accommodate Greater Anglia’s new train fleet. The work began in 2018, with Greater Anglia investing over £80 million in the project to transform the depot with better facilities to maintain and clean the company’s 58 new Stadler trains, as well as a new train washing facility, improved servicing equipment and the ability to store and dispense more fuel. The work included the installation of an £8.7 million new bogie drop facility – which allows engineers to repair, remove and replace components on the underneath of train carriages, such as the wheelsets and underframe equipment. New equipment transfer turntables and support offices were also added. Greater Anglia now operates the depot in partnership with Stadler, the manufacturer of the new fleet of trains. The landmark project ushered in a new era for the region’s railways and secured the depot’s future with train maintenance expertise staying in Norwich to continue the city’s long-standing crucial role in the delivery of the region’s train service. That presence is valuable to the local and regional economy, with benefits for Norwich and Norfolk both from having employees based at the depot and from the linked supply chain. Greater Anglia’s Managing Director, Jamie Burles, said, “The depot has been vital to ensuring we provide the best possible service to passengers across East Anglia since 1982 and will continue to play that crucial role well into the future. “The team there does a fantastic job day-in, day-out, and I would like to thank them for their dedication to providing a reliable and punctual train service for the region.” Crown Point Depot was officially opened on 27 October 1982, by the chairman of the British Railways Board, Peter Parker. It replaced Norwich engine shed and allowed InterCity trains that had been serviced at Great Yarmouth to move to a central location. It was electrified in 1985, along with the Great Eastern Main Line. As part of the privatisation of British Rail, in 1997, it was taken over by Anglia Railways. It has since passed with the East Anglia franchise to One Railway, National Express East Anglia and now Greater Anglia. New branding is due to be unveiled to mark the depot’s 40^th birthday and the completion of the redevelopment work. Video: Above: Crown Point Depot, Norwich Credit: Greater Anglia Above: Plaque at Crown Point Depot Above: An Open Day held at Crown Point Depot in the 1980s Above: Depot staff in 2014 with a train named ‘Crown Point’ Above: New walkways in the newly redeveloped depot. Credit: Greater Anglia