LATEST FROM OUR FLEET: OVERHAULS, UPGRADES AND INNOVATION
At the heart of every safe, reliable, and punctual train service is a fleet that performs at its best. While customer satisfaction often begins with on-time arrivals and smooth journeys, these outcomes are only possible when our trains are operating in peak condition. From robust infrastructure and timely resolution of technical issues to the smart use of technology and data, fleet performance is a critical pillar of our overall service delivery.
As we drive for the very best, it’s essential to understand the key factors that influence how our trains run and how each of us plays a role in keeping them moving efficiently and safely.
So, what's the latest from our fleet? Read below to find out...
The door overhaul programme is progressing well, with over 50% of the fleet complete; the door overhaul, although part of ‘Planned’ maintenance (15 years), will provide us with the much-needed performance benefit of our Passenger Door Treadplate Galvanic Corrosion issue, which causes them to rise and result in door obstructions and thus delays, the good news is that although we are still seeing these occur, they are reducing in line with the overhaul roll out.
The programme has increased in pace, starting with one a week, then to two and now circa three a week, currently at 70% complete. This programme of replacing the ‘Cab Critical’ relays (nine Main control relays situated in each cab linked to Control of every vital system on the train), will deliver an increased benefit of reducing the impact of such failures, which, although not overly frequent (circa six per year) very memorable and impactful, due to the nature of the failure, essentially rendering the train unable to driver from the failed end and needing assistance, not to mention having to detrain passengers, sometimes in between stations.
This modification has begun at incredible velocity, currently at 70% complete; modifying the pan well drainage architecture to increase drainage capacity will deliver an increased benefit of reducing the impact of severe rainfall events, where a build-up of rainwater within the well (drop-down area accommodating the high voltage AC receiver equipment Pantograph, VCB etc), can lead to a pooling of contaminated water which creates a potent environment for electrical arcing, again not overly frequent (circa 1-2 per year), but due to the nature of the failure, with a Train experiencing such an event would not only render it without power but also trip the OHLE supply, effecting the whole route, with obvious detrimental effect on our passengers.
A new Decision Support Tool (DST) is being introduced to enhance fault diagnosis and rectification of fleet defects within ARL. This web-based application provides users with structured fault trees, developed using established industry best practices, to streamline and standardise the troubleshooting process. One of the key features of the DST is its ability to allow multiple users to monitor an incident simultaneously while enabling the Alstom Integrated Service Support Technician (ISST) to focus on managing the fault or incident. This real-time visibility will help teams in Control determine planned recovery times more accurately and identify solutions efficiently, particularly when assistance from rescue units may be required.
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