A major new piece of rail maintenance equipment has been installed at Canton depot in Cardiff, boosting Transport for Wales’s ability to service its growing fleet of trains.
The £12 million bogie drop — funded by the Welsh Government through Transport for Wales — will allow engineers to remove and replace wheels and underframe components on site, improving both safety and efficiency. Previously, trains requiring this specialist work had to be sent to other depots on the network, increasing turnaround times.
Deputy Minister for Transport Mark Hooper announced the investment during a visit to the depot. He said “This investment at Canton is part of our commitment to building a modern, resilient transport network — one that performs well for the passengers who depend on it every day.
“By maintaining more of our fleet locally and efficiently, we can get trains back into service faster and continue to improve reliability and punctuality for passengers across the region.”

Canton depot maintains trains serving communities across South Wales, and the new facility is expected to play a key role during the autumn period, when leaves on the line and poor weather often increase the need for rapid maintenance.
The investment aligns with the Welsh Government’s policy to strengthen in‑house rail maintenance capacity within Wales, reducing reliance on facilities elsewhere and improving long‑term resilience.
Dan Tipper, Chief Infrastructure Officer at Transport for Wales, said “We are delighted to see the new bogie drop facility officially in service at our Canton depot. This £12 million investment is a fantastic milestone in our journey to transform rail services across Wales and the Borders.
“By bringing this specialist maintenance capability in-house, we can significantly speed up repair times, improve daily reliability, and ensure we keep more trains running for our customers and the communities we serve.”

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