Multi-disciplinary engineering specialist Spencer Group has carried out essential infrastructure works to pave the way for Greater Anglia’s first permanent wheel lathe facility.
Teams from Spencer Group’s experienced Civils and M&E teams carried out two blockades totalling over 90 hours to upgrade the existing infrastructure at Clacton Rail Depot in Essex.
The blockades enabled an extensive, complex and logistically challenging programme of works, ahead of the next stage of construction by Spencer Group on the £17m wheel lathe facility development. Once complete, the new facility will enable on-site wheel maintenance of Greater Anglia’s train fleet, reducing downtime and improving service reliability for passengers.
Works carried out during the blockades were delivered within tight deadlines to ensure minimal disruption to operations at the live depot and avoid a potential knock-on impact on rail passengers.
The first 44-hour blockade was to undertake a 128m track renewal including the installation of a new RH BV8 Turnout and the removal of eight redundant OLE (Overhead Line Equipment) gantries and foundation bases.
To efficiently carry out the works within the logistically constrained site, the teams also arranged for track panels to be cut into 27, 5m-long panels, which were loaded directly onto wagons and removed from site, to maximise storage of new materials and minimise disruption.
Additionally, 350t of ballast and 100t of spoil generated during the works were also loaded directly onto wagons and taken off site to maximise efficiency of the project.
The second blockade saw teams working on the shunting spur to carry out further works during a 52-hour period. These works included the installation, fit out and commissioning of a new OLE 17-45B switch, OLE post-P-Way works and the modification of 10 OLE gantries for the new alignment of the P-Way, as well as the installation of new contact and catenary wire, and the replacement of the stock rails and switch blades on the existing M1 points.
Ahead of the blockades, Spencer Group’s teams also carried out essential enabling works consisting of the diversion and protection of existing depot infrastructure, including the operational carriage wash, and signalling, comms and power cables.
Senior Project Manager Tony Whyte said: “Spencer Group is highly experienced in carrying out projects on live depots, which are logistically constrained and often require works to be carried out within very tight schedules.
“The site needed to be handed back for operational use between each blockade, so we worked closely with Greater Anglia and Alstom to put plans in place which maximised the efficiency of the works and ensured we were able to seamlessly meet the tight deadlines.
“We are delighted to be working with Greater Anglia and Alstom to deliver this project, which will be the first time the rail operator has had its own permanent wheel lathe facility.”
Spencer Group has also been commissioned to carry out the construction works on the new wheel lathe facility which will service Greater Anglia’s fleet, ranging from three-car trains to 12-car units.
The 5,000 sq m (54,000 sq ft) development will be located on land once occupied by the old Clacton Steam Shed and the unused approach road area from the existing shunting spur.
