the Impact of Siemens Mobility’s Goole Rail Village

After Siemens announced it's role in the creation of the US's first ever high-speed rail, the global industrial leader is back again with more investments in the future of transport and manufacturing. 

In the UK Siemens Mobility has announced a new rail village in Goole, Yorkshire. The site's £200m (US$264m) advanced facility is designed to manufacture, test, and commission new trains, including the London Underground and regional services, using advanced technology and highly automated processes.

Covering 67 acres, the site represents a huge leap for the UK's manufacturing and transportation infrastructure, set to have a profound impact on the nations economy, technological advancement and manufacturing workforce. 

Impact on UK transport & manufacturing infrastructure

With calls to reindustrialise clashing with a recent drop from the top ten manufacturing nations, the UK's manufacturing sector is in a state of flux. 

So too are its railways, where ongoing strikes, eyewatering ticket costs and calls for nationalisation paint an uncertain future.

The Goole site will serve Siemens Mobility's aim to meet the growing demand for modern, efficient rail systems across the UK.

London Underground handles up to five million passenger journeys a day, with more than 543 trains in operation during peak times. 

The technological sophistication, efficiency, comfort and safety of these trains has a profound impact on millions of people within London, intimately shaping their relationship with the city.

“This impressive, world-class facility will be transformational to Goole and its people, providing a boost to the region’s economy and supporting hundreds of skilled jobs," says UK Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. 

“Its opening demonstrates the importance of high quality, long-term investment to pave the way for employment and growth. 

“I know how vital rail manufacturing is to our economy, which is why we will not sit on our hands when it comes to supporting it. For too long, the cycle of boom-and-bust has held back this sector. 

“That’s why I am determined to put an end to the stop-start approach to investment and provide the industry with the certainty it needs to deliver a railway that is fit for the future." 

"The opening of the Siemens Mobility factory in Goole marks a new stage in this transformational project," adds Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner.

"The new Piccadilly line trains that are being assembled in Goole will change the experience of millions of Tube customers every year, helping to drive growth and revitalise communities not only in the capital but across the country thanks to the supply chain.

"We are working with Siemens Mobility, the Mayor of London and the Government to ensure that the benefits felt from this project will continue through funding for new Bakerloo line trains to replace the existing fleet, which at more than 50 years old is the oldest operating in daily passenger service anywhere in the UK.

"We look forward to welcoming the first new Piccadilly line test train to London later this year and for customers to start using them when they come into service from next year." 

The Goole site will also drive the localisation of train manufacturing, reducing UK reliance on international supply chains. 

In addition to reducing this reliance, the hub will also help to develop a highly resilient and streamlined manufacturing supply chain in the UK. 

Siemens Mobility plans to partner with local suppliers, fostering the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and contributing to regional economic development.

The collaboration with domestic suppliers can further embed cutting-edge technologies, creating an integrated rail production ecosystem.

The Goole rail village will also house a dedicated R&D centre, where the technological innovation and capabilities of UK rail production- from materials science to software development- can be improved. 

One area given significant focus will be sustainability, creating a greener future for UK transport.

“This train manufacturing facility in Goole is a fantastic example of the expertise we don’t have and how investment in London benefits the whole country," says Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

"This factory, where the new state-of-the-art Piccadilly line trains will be built, will create up to 900 direct jobs and support another 1,700 in the supply chain, delivering great benefits to the wider UK economy, showing that where London succeeds, the whole country succeeds and vice versa.” 

I’m excited to continue working together with the new Government to build a better, fairer and more prosperous London, and country, for everyone.”  

Ultimately, this development will significantly strengthen UK manufacturing, creating a meaningful foundation for greater reindustrialisation.

This will significantly enhance the UK's role as a global player in transport engineering and technology.

Job creation & workforce development

Siemens Mobility’s investment in Goole will create up to 700 new jobs in manufacturing, with additional roles expected across the broader supply chain.

The company will continue its commitment to creating pipelines of manufacturing talent, by boosting long-term workforce development at the site.

Training programs and apprenticeships will equip UK workers with the skills needed for advanced manufacturing and technology based roles. 

The 'advanced' is critical here. This facility will be a high-tech manufacturing hub immersed in industry 4.0, utilising AI, automation, robotics and other technologies to enhance production. 

Workers will need to be proficient in operating and maintaining complex machinery and digital systems. To ensure this proficiency, Siemens is providing continuous learning opportunities to help bridge the gap between traditional manufacturing skills and the future needs of the industry.

This not only sets workers up to succeed with Siemens, but also imbues the workforce with the digital skills that the industry is crying out for. 

This focus on skill development also aligns with the UK government’s 'levelling up' agenda, that aims bring economic prosperity and high-quality job opportunities to regions outside of London. 

By getting Goole on the map as a rail manufacturing centre, Siemens Mobility is driving regional development and helping to revitalise the Yorkshire economy.

The company is as enthusiastic about the investment's potential as leaders in the UK government and London's transportation sector are.

"After more than a decade of tremendous dedication and hard work, we have officially opened our state-of-the-art Rail Village in Goole which is testament to our commitment to the North of England," says Sambit Banerjee, Joint CEO at Siemens Mobility.

"None of this would have been possible without the brilliance, perseverance, and passion of our people and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. 

"We’ll assemble 80% of London's new Piccadilly line trains and all future Siemens trains for the UK including our Verve battery train here in Goole and I’m pleased that we are supporting the local supply chain in the process.

"Our further investment in the Bogie Assembly and Service Centre will only add to our ability to transform rail and transport for everyone, right here in Goole.” 

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