The Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) is a proposed train, railway infrastructure and technology testing facility, located in Onllwyn, Wales, where the site sits on the border between Neath Port Talbot and Powys.

[1] In August 2020, the GCRE was given authority to proceed with conversion of the site by councillors from the Powys County, and Neath Port Talbot Councils.

[15][16] In October 2022, it was announced that the GCRE had launched a procurement process for the construction of its test tracks and associated facilities, the collective contracts involved being valued at £250 million.

[23] The unusual shape of the loops has been dictated by the 400kV power grid which runs from Pembrokeshire to Gloucestershire; moving the pylons would have been a complex and costly task.

This is to replicate a normal busy line, which will generate 40,000 axle passes per year, thus allowing testing and degradation on the railway infrastructure - something described as being unique in Europe.

[25] During December 2022, it was announced that global investors, comprising both individual entities and consortiums, were being contracted ahead of a formal procurement process on the acquisition of a majority stake in GCRE Ltd; at the time, the company was wholly owned by the Welsh government.

[28][29] During February 2023, it was announced that the GRCE would be providing funding for 24 railway-related innovation projects, which included Graphene-enhanced concrete sleepers, low-carbon acoustic barriers, greener electrification apparatus, and rapid tunnelling techniques.

[30][31] In April 2023, the rolling stock manufacturer Hitachi announced that it had agreed terms with the GCRE to have its various product lines tested at the site following its completion.

[34] Thales’ Ground Transportation Systems also signed a partnership agreement with the GCRE to collaborate on the development of new railway technologies, such as digital signalling, autonomous operations, communications, ticketing and cybersecurity.