1 July 2019

Not your standard ‘down-the-line’ project but owing to an extensive knowledge base and unique heritage experience, Quartzelec, a leading independent engineering service provider, was contracted to design, supply and install all the infrastructure needed to relocate a fleet of Great Western Rail (GWR) sleeper trains to its Reading Traincare depot.

With the closure of the 100-year-old Oak Common Depot required to make way for the new HS2 Line, the sleeper train fleet, with rolling stock which operate at an unusual voltage, needed special powersupply facilities. Quartzelec, acting as Principal Contractor, provided both the civil and electrical requirements to complete the £400k project.

A series of HV and LV electrical switch boards and an 11kV RMU / 3PH 11kV- 2PH 850v transformer plus 850V shore supply lineside panels to plug into the trains were installed, along with all the associated civil trenching and troughing to accommodate cabling. The system was commissioned and tested before being handed over to GWR.

“Projects like this are what make working in our sector so interesting. As we are increasingly taking on more specialist lineside projects including the installation of shore supply solutions, we have over the past few years, become valued partners with a number of the rail network infrastructure franchises,” stated Ross McCloskey, Quartzelec’s Contracts Engineer for this project”.

“Our long heritage means we have the experience to safely and cost- effectively work across a number of critical infrastructure sectors and deliver challenging solutions. Being able to leverage our in-house specialist services such as earthing design, means we can co-ordinate delivery and ensure every aspect of a project is efficiently delivered.”

Paul Hooper, Project Manager at GWR added: “We were delighted with the quality and approach from the whole Quartzelec team. As Principal Contractor for this project they helped deliver to plan and within the tight budget, helping to solve a number of additional logistical issues throughout. We look forward to expanding our operational activities and working with their skilled and professional engineers on future projects.”

#UnparalleledInEngineeringServices

Follow us on Twitter & LinkedIn