Rail Business Awards 2010 Preview


and implementation of an innovative industry-first, traction system development tackling an industry issue, with a hugely positive impact on the passenger experience and perception.


SOUTHERN RAILWAY (CLASS 442S)


Having inherited a fleet of 24 Class 442 units to run its extended Gatwick Express service, Southern was faced with a problem that had the potential to cause serious and regular disruption to the Brighton main line.


The issue was with motor wheelset


suspension tube bearings, which were in danger of failing if they were not monitored regularly. The challenge was to come up with a monitoring system that meant trains didn’t have to come out of service for this activity. The solution was remote wireless electronic temperature monitoring technology. The result? There have been no failures and some


units have been repaired before they could fail.


BALFOUR BEATTY RAIL The Farringdon to City Thameslink (CTL) overhead line electrification extension was a project of enormous significance and engineering excellence. It held the key to the Thameslink project achieving its K01 objectives, and cleared the way for commencement of the Crossrail project activities in the Farringdon Station area. The success of the project is the high


quality operational electrified railway that was delivered safely from concept to completion in less than 12 months.


SERCO TCS RAIL


This multi stakeholder project covered the development of an unattended pantograph monitoring system, which can be fitted to service trains to enable ‘real time’ reporting of events likely to cause damage


to pantograph carbons, and consequently to the overhead line electrification (OLE). The system is currently installed on two


Cl 390 trains providing daily data downloads and alarms to all stakeholders, for appropriate action to be taken. By acting on this information, it is estimated that on the Cl 390 fleet this system has the potential to enable savings of £100,000-£200,000 per year, based on reduced pan carbon chipping.


MIDLAND ACS


The transportation of biomass material for power generation uses 23 existing wagons, outfitted with roof doors to counteract the effect of biomass blow-off and spoilage by rain that would be associated with an open top wagon. Midland ACS developed a sophisticated pneumatic logic control system, to automatically control the loading and discharging of the biomass. With efficiency and health and safety in mind – dust and moist biomass can ignite


Houghton International


Balfour Beatty Rail


South West Trains


Alstom Transport Page thirty-one


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