Space saving solution

May 11, 2016

We have helped Volker Fitzpatrick transform the tight confines of a depot into a time saving route to more efficient train maintenance.

Our expert engineers designed and built a bespoke traverser for the Ilford facility, to manoeuvre rail carriages around a new paint shop.

VolkerFitzpatrick, who is building the new stabling depot for London’s £14.8 billion Crossrail project, commissioned the 130 tonne, two road traverser to maintain the trains operating on the railway. Due to the limited space available, it was not possible to use sidings to transfer carriages from the shot blast bay to the paint booth, so an alternative solution was required.

Having collaborated on a similar project at the Port of Felixstowe, VolkerFitzpatrick knew we had the capacity and technical know-how to create a suitable traverser for the paint shop. Regardless of available space, the sheer size of these machines makes them pretty special and each one has to be tailored to the unique demands of its intended location.

The 28m long traverser was constructed and tested at our headquarters before being disassembled and moved to site in components small enough to fit into the new Ilford facility. It was then rebuilt and proof tested to carry loads of 162 tonnes, before entering service.