The depot equipment specialists have designed and built the custom-made unit, which enables bogies to be changed without decoupling trains, saving valuable servicing time.
The bogie drop will be used to remove underframe equipment, including bogies, wheelsets, transformers and cooling units from the new Stadler and Bombardier trains introduced on Greater Anglia’s intercity and Stanstead express services last year.
Mechan worked closely with main contractor, Taylor Woodrow, to enable the depot to remain operational. Taylor Woodrow constructed the bogie drop pit as part of its work to convert and extend the facilities at Crown Point to provide servicing, maintenance and stabling for the new fleet of trains.
Lindsey Mills, Mechan’s sales manager, said: “The Crown Point bogie drop had to be completely bespoke, as the Stadler vehicles have articulated bogies that sit between carriages, meaning the ends of two vehicles need supporting during removal.”
The Crown Point bogie drop is a self-contained unit that enables bogies to be changed at track level, while allowing traffic to move freely when it is not in use. It has a roll-over capacity of 75 tonnes and incorporates mini jacks that act as car body supports. Abellio also specified automatic wheel stops and interlocked access gates as additional safety features.