Press releases

Leading European transport operator Arriva has acquired train maintenance company LNWR for £2.4 million, part of which represents repayment of a shareholder loan, and the assumption of approximately £2 million of debt.

The business, which operates a modern train maintenance depot in Crewe, was founded in 1996 by music producer, entrepreneur and rail enthusiast Pete Waterman.  It is set to play a key role in maintaining the trains which will provide increased services on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) from this December.

The depot, which has grown from a former Victorian carriage shed, has seen £3 million of investment over the past 12 months turning it into a leading servicing facility for modern electric and diesel trains. It now services one of the most diverse fleets of trains in the UK and is one of the largest train depots and stabling facilities on the WCML.

LNWR’s managing director Mark Knowles will continue to lead the team of approximately 110 employees and the business will continue to trade as LNWR.

Bob Holland, managing director of Arriva’s UK Trains division, said: “LNWR has grown into a specialist facility capable of competing with some of the largest international groups.  It has an impressive workforce and facility which provides high quality maintenance services every day to the UK rail industry.

“Going forward, we plan to build on LNWR’s work for Bombardier, Siemens, Freightliner and Arriva Trains Wales.   The assurance that being part of the Arriva group brings will help attract work from the rolling stock leasing companies and other large customers.   We look forward to welcoming the LNWR team into the Arriva group and working with them to continue to deliver excellent train maintenance services.”

Mark Knowles, managing director of LNWR, said: “We have assembled a great team at Crewe, we have invested in creating a versatile and skilled group of train maintenance professionals and trained apprentices at a time when very few rail businesses were prepared to make that commitment.

“Arriva is the final ingredient and I’m sure that the business can now look forward to continued growth and success.”