Legacy Rail
Our recent Projects
Weighing and Resistance to Derailment
Δ Q/Q (Delta Q over Q) is a test undertaken at type test stage during a train’s inception, ensuring the train can cope with deficiencies on the infrastructure. However, this test is rarely undertaken again during the life of said train. As the Design Authority, Hitachi Kasado mandate this test be undertaken post Overhaul, with a view to maintaining Δ Q/Q standards. Inherently train weighing and balancing is looked upon as a “black art” and obtaining results comparable to type test results is both time consuming and inaccurate, often due to the experience of the technician undertaking the task. In conjunction with ExcelWraps, we have developed a software algorithm to not only make the weighing process more accurate, and in turn repeatable, but also reduce down time by 1200%. This process is now used on every Class 395 Javelin Overhaul and with very small adjustments can be tailored to any rail vehicle.
Reformation and Transport
With the production and testing of new trains, new OEMs and Overhauls being undertaken at different sites, there is a need for moving rolling stock to different locations around the UK and abroad. Often the most simplistic method is on a vehicle by vehicle basis using specialist road transport companies, the most prominent of which is Allelys Heavy Haulage Ltd(www.allelys.co.uk).
Although this is a tried and tested method, it does have limitations and often alternative transport by rail can be the preferred option. However, this can also be a minefield of regulations and restrictions especially with a newly designed fleet of trains. Both of the above methods incur extensive man hours, whether it be the restrictions an abnormal load is under to get from A to B, or the time taken to couple and gain the necessary approvals to travel by rail.
Incident Repair
Incident Repair is a major inconvenience for TOCs and ROSCOs, often costing hundreds of thousands of pounds and resulting in shortfall to service due to the duration of the repairs… By its nature, this results in a temptation to solely fit new parts and return to service as soon as possible, but in reality, there is a vast amount of “behind the scenes” work that must be carried out to ensure the future crashworthiness has not been compromised. Empirical calculations, scans and dimensional checks are mandatory, however, production of a “Bill of Materials” (BoM) for components that may not have been required previously, can also take an extortionately long time to compile. Often customers do not have the bespoke knowledge, skills or time to undertake this work themselves. For these reasons we are currently undertaking an incident repair on a flagship fleet for a major original equipment manufacturer, solely providing all of the above services.