Network Rail“s ROBEL Mobile Maintenance Train authorised into service
Two companies – one vision
A driving desire for continuous improvement in safety and productivity at Network Rail, set against the backdrop of a network with extremely high utilisation and the requirement to deliver more efficient and cost-effective maintenance led Network Rail“s engineering team to search out new solutions. Already in 2003, at ROBEL, the vision of a mobile and self-sustaining high performance workshop took shape in the Mobile Maintenance Unit (MMU 69.50/69.60). This concept was developed, improved and extended in conjunction with rail partners into a complete maintenance system (MMS). Both companies realised the potential, started a dialogue and in the following years developed application oriented processes for a British MMS. In November 2013 NR placed an order for eight Mobile Maintenance Systems (MMS) 69.70.
A visionary concept
These consist of three interconnected vehicles. A mobile maintenance unit (MMU) providing safe access to the track, protected from the neighbouring line by the vehicle bodyshell, with direct worksite lighting, hydraulic, pneumatic and electric power, local exhaust ventilation and two synchronised hoists. These allow all the materials and equipment needed for a job (including rail) to be brought safely and quickly down to the track from the intermediate car (IC) which provides customised storage space to transport them to site. Eleven crew members are transported to the site in the traction and supply unit (TSU). This also provides motive power to transit the network at 60mph and is the energy source for the hydraulic, pneumatic and electric power available in the MMU.
Tailor-made solutions
Not only was the train customised specially to UK conditions, but the ROBEL designers also developed specialised hand-tools to make best use of the available power supplies and reduced space and to deliver Network Rail“s ambitions for further reductions in noise and hand-arm vibrations. The rail band saws (12.72), rail stressors (24.70) and rail head profile grinding machines (13.48) are smaller and therefore more ergonomic to operate and easier to transport.
Delivered on-time
ROBEL designers had to develop the concept in partnership with the Network Rail project team specifically for the UK infrastructure – including fitting into the narrow and restrictive UK loading gauge profile and fully meeting the latest UK and European railway standards. The first unit, to be based out of Darlington, was handed over to Network Rail on time in July 2015 for UK trials and by the end of August 2015 had received full authorisation into service from the UK regulator the ORR. The second system, destined to operate out of Paddock Wood, is completed already at the ROBEL factory in Germany and will be shipped to the UK this month.
With this important milestone for both NR and ROBEL, a revolution in track maintenance has begun. The future of track maintenance is already here – working now in the UK. By Autumn 2016 four MMS will be in operation on the London North East and four on the London South East routes. However, both partners see in this project just the beginning of their cooperation for new maintenance concepts in Great Britain.
ROBEL is a specialist for railway construction equipment and machinery located in Freilassing, Germany. Founded in 1901, the company has a strong reputation as manufacturer and supplier of complex solutions for the technically demanding railway worksites. With about 500 employees, ROBEL manufactures more than 100 different product groups and supplies them to over 70 countries around the world. A wide range of handguided machines and equipment for track construction and maintenance is complemented by complex track vehicles for technical operations. Moreover, ROBEL is committed to the development of custom-made solutions for specific projects in close cooperation with its customers. The company is also approved to carry out revisions and investigations stipulated by German law.
Kontakt
ROBEL Bahnbaumaschinen
Sarah Weinberger
Industriestr. 31
83395 Freilassing
+49 8654 609 0
info@robel.info
http://www.robel.info