Business profile
2010’. Hagger said: ‘It affects artisan staff driving trains within depot limits. We advise clients on this issue and look at whether the movement of trains within the confines of a depot, yard or terminal can be deemed ‘functionally separate’. We also consider whether arrangements are in place to ensure that its train operating activities will not impact on the mainline railway.’
New franchise bids
Stokes played a key role in MTR Corporation’s bid for the future Southern/Thameslink services. This was successful because Stokes Associates drew on its wealth of operational experience. The MTR contract included a detailed review of all maintenance depots and stabling locations on the Southern/Thameslink routes to enable the development of a cost-effective and comprehensive stabling plan for the fleet. In addition, Stokes Associates developed a fleet cleaning strategy with MTR. Stokes Associates also supported
The spectrum of activities Stoke Associates can assist in has become extensive and is well-supported by the wide-ranging skills available within the team. The company provided engineering support, in both traction and rolling stock areas, to Wrexham & Shropshire during Axiom Rail’s overhaul of a fleet of Mk3 stock.
Component solutions With the sourcing of obsolete components having become a virtual specialisation, Stokes has the advantage of a chartered engineer resource. The company is able to steer a pathway through changed and updated material specifications to supply vital components. Hagger said the company is well-placed to identify potential manufacturers and ‘we supply components which are as good as, or arguably even better than the original.’ The company is also the UK and worldwide agent for Canadian-based Romell’s Smart ShoeTM
. Smart ShoeTM is
designed to measure true radial brake force safely, accurately and simply, without removing the brake shoe. This brings results in regular contact with the shop floor of a number of Toc’s as well as maintainers with a piece of equipment that sees application in railway workshops world wide.
Competence training
Maintaining competencies is vitally important to the rail industry, and Stokes, underpinned by its Edexcel Training Centre accreditation, delivers an Assessor & Internal Verifier Training class – and one-to-one refreshers on many aspects of mechanical and electrical engineering alongside Health & Safety and depot operational training. Typically, this has
meant working with Train Management Companies to develop their competence management systems and deliver City & Guilds Level 3 6317 Assessment and Quality Assurance training. To facilitate on-going reliability and support maintenance, a series of electrical multiple unit fault finding guides for Abellio have been produced for Greater Anglia’s inner and outer suburban stock. A highly comprehensive Technical Train Preparation booklet was prepared for one of the major freight operating companies accompanied by a two-day classroom and on-site training course. In addition, documentation including risk assessments and safe systems of work are a Stokes Associates speciality.
Safety instruction
Drawing on other areas of expertise, Stokes Associates has provided a range of comprehensive fire refresher courses to Toc’s. Courses delivered at maintenance depots and tailored to the onsite teams’ needs were praised for their ‘expert delivery’ and ability to provide ‘excellent understanding of fire safety in a rail environment’.
Hagger continued: ‘Our series of communication training events aimed at safety critical staff emerged from Gary’s experience in running a depot. It’s a course, including guidance material, based on the practical daily reality of those key staff members.’
Legal and practical support Stokes advises on the implication of legislation as it affects the working railway. A good example of the potential implications arising from legal responsibility is the ‘Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations
VolkerFitzpatrick in its successful bid to Crossrail for the £50 million Ilford Yard Stabling Project by drawing on its in-depth knowledge of depot working practices and legislative requirements. The provision of interface management to stakeholders, detailed design support, enabling works, manufacturing, supply, construction, installation, testing, commissioning and hand over of new railway depot facilities, is currently taking place at the Ilford Yard Stabling facility in East London. Stokes Associates’ principal responsibility is to maintain depot functionality during construction work and facilitate communication between stakeholders working together at the Ilford facility.
International links Working with Swiss-based wagon leasing company AAE and Devon & Cornwall Railways, Stokes is key to the movement of off-lease wagons within the UK. The company undertakes fitness to run examinations prior to the move. An association with Pennant Information Services led to the development and delivery of training material for the new R188 Kawasaki Railcars due to operate on the New York City Transit system. The training of New York artisans is due to start this month (Sept) and continue until 2015.
Overall Stokes Associates’ culture, says Hagger, is to ‘blend seamlessly with in-house teams’. The firm’s philosophy is ‘working with you and your team’. ‘With our integrated packages, clients invariably value the advice we give as it has been tried and tested in real operational depots by seasoned professionals who get stuck-in to
projects,’ added Hagger. • Tel: 07846 561370
www.stokesassociates.com
September 2013 Page 143
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