Bedford MP tours depot

Bedford MP Richard Fuller visited First Capital Connect’s Bedford Cauldwell Walk Rail Depot to learn more about the Thameslink Programme and see how Thameslink route trains are maintained.

First Capital Connect Programme Director David Statham (left) discusses the engineering and maintenance operation at Bedford Cauldwell Walk depot with MP Richard Fuller, who then took a seat in the driver's cab

Bedford Cauldwell employs 140 engineering and train presentation staff who work round the clock. The depot was built on a former ballast pit in 2004 to maintain the fleet of 76 four-carriage units, and was extended in 2008 following a £2.2m programme to cater for a further 124 carriages.

David Statham, First Capital Connect’s Projects Director, started the visit by introducing Richard to the history of the Thameslink Programme and future developments.

The Thameslink Programme will introduce 50% longer 12-carriage trains on the route between Bedford and Brighton, the first of which enter service in December next year (2011). There are likely to be three services in the morning from Bedford and three back in the evening.

Jason Long, Head of Engineering Production, then walked Richard through the depot and discussed all areas of its operation, including a look inside a driver’s cab and the new 377 class train carriages, which have been used to help improve capacity and reliability on the Thameslink route.  

Speaking after the visit, Richard Fuller said: “I found the staff at the depot extremely professional and was impressed by the quality of their efforts to keep our trains running smoothly.

“First Capital Connect’s maintenance depot is an important employer in Bedford and I am proud to have such an impressive operation within my constituency.”

David Statham, Projects Director, said: “We were extremely pleased to welcome Richard to the depot. As an MP on the Thameslink route Richard was keen to find out more about the Thameslink Programme and to see the depot in action.

“We were pleased he was able to engage with a number of our engineering staff and was impressed by the great work they do in ensuring that our Thameslink route fleet are maintained to a high standard.”