Siemens’ new UK Bogie Service Centre in Lincoln has marked a significant milestone with the completion of its 100th bogie for the Velaro Eurostar e320 — just a few months after its official opening.

The £8 million centre, which began operations in November last year, services bogies and wheel-sets for the latest Siemens trains operating in the UK, including the Velaro Eurostar e320 high-speed trains and Desiro City trains.

It was built last year and employs 35 people in skilled rail technician roles, with staffing levels set to increase to around 40 by the end of 2019.

Siemens’ investment in the centre last year marked a key milestone in the company’s growing UK rail footprint and followed plans announced in early 2018 to build a new train factory in Goole, East Yorkshire.

Will Wilson, UK managing director for rolling stock at Siemens Mobility (www.siemens.com), said: “The completion of the 100th bogie overhaul in Lincoln is a great achievement for our new Bogie Service Centre.

“To have reached such a significant milestone in only a few months is testament to the fantastic work by our team of highly skilled rail technicians.”

The Bogie Service Centre complements Siemens’ installed base of over 450 trains and eight purpose-built maintenance facilities, plus its wider activities in electrification, signalling and train control technologies.

Siemens has been present in the UK for over 170 years and is now a major UK-wide employer, with around 15,000 UK employees and 600 apprentices.