Global Centre of Rail Excellence

The Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) is a new, purpose-built rail innovation facility being built in South Wales that will undertake world-class research, testing and certification of rolling stock, infrastructure and innovative new rail technologies - something that currently doesn’t exist on a single site in either the UK or in Europe.

Operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the facility will include two electrified test loops, one a 7km high speed rolling stock track and the other a track for infrastructure innovation. 

GCRE will become the UK’s first ever net zero railway and help to lower the costs of major rail infrastructure projects. Located on a former open cast mine in the Dulais Valley, it will create long-term, high-quality jobs and become a magnet for other, high-quality investments and R&D.

Planning permission has been secured for the project and its 24-hour, seven day a week operation.