METRO NETWORKS ADOPT HOLDFAST’S TRACK ACCESS POINTS

March 2005

A growing number of metro networks are now following Network Rail’s lead by investing in HoldFast Track Access Points to enable fast track repair and maintenance and reduce line closure times. Successful trials have just been completed on The London Underground.

The advantages are obvious. Strategically placed platforms facilitate easy trackside access and suitable crossing points for maintenance crews and any necessary plant. HoldFast TAPs were vital to the West Coast mainline modernisation programme, for which over 100 single-track 25 metre crossings were supplied in single, double and treble locations.

The HoldFast solution comprises their full modular and full depth rubber system. It is extremely long lasting and capable of withstanding heavy shock loads to the railroad bed. The wet skid wear surface ensures a life span of more than 20 years. Alternative systems can hardly match such durability and safety, where the danger of safety failure; increases in road and rail maintenance costs; and increased discomfort for road users, may reduce the crossing life span to under five years.

Unlike other systems, HoldFast panels do not use bolts and screws for fixing. This allows panels to be individually removed for track inspection.

Nexus

Nexus, otherwise known as the Passenger Transport Executive, operates The Tyne and Wear Metro light rapid transit system and is responsible for infrastructure maintenance and improvement.

They have opted to replace their existing, worn and inefficient, concrete level crossings with HoldFast’s system incorporating the latest materials, design and installation techniques.

Previous concrete crossings were cumbersome and took at least two full working days and a whole team of men to install, with the additional use of heavy machinery making the whole process long, drawn out and expensive. Holdfast has revolutionised these installations by replacing concrete with full depth rubber panels, 1.8 metres long.

Their Chief Maintenance Engineer, Sid Lewis explains; “We move forward. Times change and we change with them. HoldFast is the most efficient, flexible system we could find on the market today.”
Lewis has already presided over the installation of 12 Holdfast systems in his role as Logistics Engineer and he is delighted with the speed and efficiency of every one. For each, Lewis has been in charge of the planning and Roger Aubrey, Manager of Fifth Rail, directed the actual installation of the HoldFast system.

Aubrey uses his best team of only six men to install the Holdfast system, normally working during a closure span running between 12am and 4am. This creates minimal disruption to the Nexus Metro network, as Lewis acknowledges; “I could not recommend a better system,” he enthuses. “The difference Holdfast has made to reduce tamping times and routine maintenance demands at our crossing sites is huge.” Hugely important to an organisation serving the objective of ensuring 1.3 million commuters arrive at work on time!

Lewis, once a Para Trooper in the Army, has since amassed some 14 years’ experience in the railways industry before joining Nexus, in a capacity he obviously enjoys; “Using new technology and products, such as HoldFast, that improve the network is always rewarding.” He is passionate about the Network, and has become a strong advocate of the HoldFast system.

London Underground

When Tube Lines (responsible for the maintenance, renewals and upgrades of the infrastructure for the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines), sought to evaluate platforms to facilitate efficient track access for maintenance, they chose to work with HoldFast to determine an appropriate solution.

The requirement to restrict track maintenance to three half-hour night closures is a continual challenge to Tube Lines, one of the London Underground’s (LU’s) three operators and where the ease of laying HoldFast panels is a great advantage. There is a long-term objective to install a series of permanent HoldFast TAPs across the network.

However, the LU has no such crossings and the network presents particular challenges. Thus, a detailed consultative, assessment and trial process was essential. Sinan Al-jawad, Track Engineer and Civil Project Engineer for the trial, explains the importance of this installation: “We needed a concession because it is a non standard item. The System had to undergo a rigorous assurance process. Rail stressing, maintenance and ensuring the trains did not come off power were essential elements of this.”

“We installed ramps on the centres because the train’s negative shoe in middle that picks up the electric current on the negative rail is slightly lower so we had to ensure the shoes did not rip off the train.”

The project culminated in a 12.8 metre temporary crossing installation at West Hampstead in November 2004 for a three month trial. The platform crossed both the Jubilee and Metropolitan lines before being lifted in January.
Visu Mathan, Construction Manager for Tube Lines, adds: “We had to ensure drivers and unions were satisfied with the crossing’s safety values.”
All parties are impressed with the trial. Installation was easy and fast and all assessments have been met. Sales Director, Mark Coates Smith, who has been working closely with Tube Lines throughout the project, comments: “We are delighted with the success of the trial. We now look forward to providing a permanent infrastructure solution by replacing removable timber platforms with HoldFast’s TAPs where deemed necessary.”
Consultation
HoldFast’s success across Network Rail, Nexus and Tube Lines is being repeated across a growing number of urban mixed transport systems, in the UK and overseas, including Prague and Lisbon.
Their Managing Director, Peter Coates Smith, explains: “Fast installation, reduced network downtime, durability and high safety values for all modes of transport are the key reasons for the System’s popularity in urban situations. The rail industry is continuously looking to improve existing track, which gives us at HoldFast the opportunity to research new techniques and materials, so that we are able to offer the best possible solutions.”
“To ensure appropriate trials and commitments are in place, we are prepared to adopt a long term consultative role, which is especially important when a number of public bodies and operators are involved, most recently with Tube Lines”.