randomly within the pile – it was decided to build an enclosed loading and discharge station at both the Port of Tyne and Drax. Both establishments would need to be automated with no personnel involved, and due to the combustible nature of the biomass, no electrical device would be permitted. The wagons would open their top doors for loading, with both the top and bottom doors opening for discharge at either site.
TRANSLINK
The fleet engineering team within Translink NI Railways recognised that a significant change was required to meet future business requirements and ever-changing work profiles. These have been brought about by requirements for consistent delivery of safe, available, reliable and clean trains, increasing workload within maintenance regimes and overhauls, new train introduction and withdrawal of older stock from passenger services. Any change had to focus on the key values
– Safety, Quality, Availability, and Reliability. Utilising various quality tools from Six Sigma and ‘lean management’ systems, the bespoke ‘SQuARe’ project was designed.
NORTHERN RAIL In December 2009, Northern Rail became the first, and so far only, train operator in the UK to receive Rail Industry Supplier Approval Scheme certification for C4 heavy engineering overhauls to the underside of trains. The certification procedure involved the rigorous examination of management and engineering processes by external experts and required Northern to prove that it was complying with best practice. Changes implemented as a result of the
programme to gain certification have seen the time taken to carry out C4 overhauls fall 25 per cent, and employee accidents fall by 50 per cent. A culture change programme put in place as a result of the project has embedded best practice throughout the entire chain of activities involved in C4 overhauls.
SOUTHERN RAILWAY (OVERHAUL) September 2010 saw the completion of one of the most challenging projects to face Southern engineers – overhauling 700 vehicles in-house, while fulfilling ever increasing demands on fleet availability. It was an amazing achievement made
possible by teamwork, innovation and inspired partnership working. It resulted in major efficiency improvements and reductions in resourcing.
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Engineering Excellence of the year NORTHERN RAIL
Operating 2,500 services every day means that every minute is crucial when it comes to identifying and repairing faults on Northern Rail’s 290 trains. Northern Rail’s IT and engineering teams have developed a system called Interactive Impact Reports, which, for the first time, means its depot engineers have instant access to live data on the condition of each of its trains and any faults that have developed. Gone are the days of interrogating multiple databases and reports to find information.
In short the new system means improved
fleet performance, a significant reduction in the time taken to complete national incident report faults and, ultimately, improved punctuality for its customers.
SOUTH WEST TRAINS South West Trains operates four out of the five most reliable train fleets in the county, with the Class 444s being the most reliable UK fleet overall, and the Class 159/0s the most reliable diesel fleet. South West Trains has initiated programmes to improve onboard facilities – toilet, heating, interior design – which have contributed to a 25 per cent reduction in customer complaints. South West Trains is constantly looking at further improvement measures, especially concerning staff safety, fleet reliability, environmental emissions and passenger comfort.
Serco TCS Rail
SIEMENS MOBILITY AND LONDON UNDERGROUND In January 2003, a Central Line train derailed at Chancery Lane station. A subsequent independent design review concluded changes were required to the bogie on the 1992 Tube Stock fleet. These changes posed significant technical challenges. They require the retention of all existing equipment and system interfaces, but must remain within the existing space envelope, while addressing the significant short-comings of the existing design. Siemens met and exceeded London
Underground’s expectations, delivering a successful engineering solution that ensured the risk of future derailments was as low as reasonably practicable, and allowing a return to a normal maintenance regime.
HOUGHTON INTERNATIONAL During the past year, Houghton International has designed and built a Motor Alternator (MA Set) load testing facility, which is the first of its kind in the UK rail industry.
Northern Rail Heaton team
J Murphy and Sons
Siemens Mobility and LU
Midland ACS
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