A sophisticated system to weigh multiple train carriages at the same time has been installed at Hitachi Rail Europe’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Barnsley-based Weighwell Engineering says it has implemented a full train weighing system (PTW 500-VB2X) at Hitachi’s £82m factory on Aycliffe Business Park.
The portable system, which weighs four axles instantaneously, has already been involved in the testing of the Class 800/801 InterCity Express trains at RIDC Melton since early 2015.
The PTW 500-VB2X is a static train weighing system that comprises of four separate portable train weighers (PTW’s) and most importantly allows rail vehicles to be weighed faster than single axle or bogie weighing systems, which provides greater repeatability and accuracy.
The PTW’s provide the flexibility to weigh different car types, which have differing wheel to wheel and bogie and bogie lengths, without fundamental track modifications.
Weighwell managing director Paul Horsfall said: “The opportunity to help contribute our renowned industry know-how and help support the growth of one of Britain’s busiest intercity rail routes is a momentous and invaluable opportunity.”
In September 1825, Robert Stephenson’s Locomotion No 1 was assembled and test runs began on what became the world’s first generation of passenger engines.
Now only a few hundred yards away, at Hitachi’s Aycliffe facility, the next state-of-the-art rolling stock for the British train network are being built.
Hitachi’s rail vehicle manufacturing facility will manufacture the Class 800/801 as part of the Government’s £5.8bn InterCity Express programme (IEP) as well as the AT200 for Abellio Scotrail.
The £82m, opened by then Prime Minister David Cameron ion September last year, will manufacture up to 35 vehicles a month and is expected to employ at least 730 people when fully operational.
The first train is scheduled to enter service in 2017.