Tuxford Rail Innovation & Development Centre

A former cross-country line, RIDC Tuxford provides a safe environment for testing new and modified rolling stock, plant, on-track machines, infrastructure, equipment and technology

Our RIDC site in Tuxford, Nottinghamshire, spurs off the Robin Hood line to provide 10 miles of single-line test track with a three-mile double section, capable of testing up to 75mph.

The facility, which we own and operate, comprises a short section of non-live 25kV type catenary and a short section of non-live 3rd/4th rail.

As well as providing a safe operating environment for testing, RIDC Tuxford is also used by the rail industry to deliver training and competency assessments.

Facilities

RIDC Tuxford can offer:

  • office and mess facilities
  • sidings
  • stabling
  • dummy overhead line equipment
  • dummy 3rd/4th rail
  • ability to change infrastructure characteristics.

Additional information is provided on this RIDC Tuxford site layout map (PDF)

RIDC Tuxford is suitable for the following types of testing:

  • adhesion up to 1:25 W6A vehicle gauge
  • handbrake
  • slip brake.

RIDC Tuxford offers bespoke capabilities for the RIS-1530-PLT rail plant test site – this is unique in Britain. It has all the required infrastructure parameters for compliance with railway industry standards, applicable to new and modified on-track machines at one site.

RIDC Tuxford provides the following training areas:

  • tamper
  • stoneblower
  • thimbling
  • lifting.

Charges

Download information on the various tests and charges at RIDC Tuxford (PDF) 

To ask about testing, please complete the RIDC Tuxford enquiry form (docx) and email it to RIDC@networkrail.co.uk.

Location

RIDC Tuxford is 15 miles north of Newark, in Nottinghamshire, off the Robin Hood line – between Thoresby Junction and High Marnham.

Lodge Lane Industrial Estate,
Lodge Lane,
Tuxford,
Nottinghamshire,
NG22 0NL