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ROLLING STOCK SPECIAL


T ‘Ultra light rail’ delayed


indefinitely due to fault


echnical problems with an ‘ultra light rail’ service have


meant a trial of the technology has had to be postponed until further notice.


The Mid Hants Rail Link service, which was to be run by the GOCO co-operative, was originally meant to launch a trial service in January.


But it has been unable to quickly re- solve the issues as hoped.


A spokesman said: “Following tech- nical issues encountered during the testing programme, it has not been possible to repair the vehicle ahead of the scheduled launch of the pub- lic service. Work will continue to address the technical issues with the existing vehicle and during this time, alternative options for a re- placement vehicle will also be con- sidered.”


The service is designed to take pas- sengers from Medstead and Four Marks to Alton, connecting to South West Trains’ services into London Waterloo.


Have a seat A


It is hoped many of the London commuters among the 7,000 popu- lation of the villages will take the new trains rather than drive to Alton station once the scheme launches.


The lightweight railcars have a fly- wheel to store energy, allowing the use of a smaller engine to minimise emissions, the company said, and are viable for serving towns and villages considered too small for a standard rail service.


Chris Phillimore, business develop- ment director for GOCO, said: “We have been very heartened by the overwhelmingly positive response to the concept of the service and feel more confident about its long term success than even when we began planning six months ago. We are committed to providing a reli- able high-quality service and will not commence operations with any type of vehicle until we can be sat- isfied that this can be delivered. We are confident that a suitable solu- tion can be identified and that the trial will go ahead in the very near future.”


UK seating specialist worked closely with East Midlands


Trains on its Meridian fleet refur- bishment.


TRANSCAL Ltd, a privately owned business started 30 years ago by managing director Robert Aitken, specialises in the design, manufac- ture and installation of transporta- tion interiors.


The company trades on its reputa- tion for quality, competitive pricing and the ability to get the job done, it said.


Although previously its main spe- cialism was automotive seating for the car industry, it has now brought its expertise to bear on the aviation, furniture, marine and rail indus- tries.


Using its own dedicated team of designers, UK manufacturing and rail installation teams, TRANSCAL


worked closely with the East Midlands Trains management team and their design team to develop the fabrics used to re-furbish the operator’s standard class seating for its Meridian refurbishment pro- gramme.


It also developed leather specifi- cally for use in the rail industry for First Class, introducing ideas such as contrast stitching, highlighting style and design, additional padding in the seat cover to give the fitted cover a more defined sculptured ap- pearance.


Aitken said: “TRANSCAL has been instrumental in the stunning ap- pearance of the Meridian 222 inte- rior refurbishment.”


FOR MORE INFORMATION


Steve Harvey, Sales Director T: 01506 440 111 E: steve@transcal.co.uk W: www.transcal.co.uk


rail technology magazine Feb/Mar 11 | 37


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