UK: Alstom and contractor OCS have developed a revised approach to cleaning the windscreens of Avanti West Coast’s Pendolino inter-city train fleet at the Glasgow Traincare Centre at Polmadie.
Alstom said the edges of windscreens are difficult to completely clean with an automated train wash, while a ‘spotless’ clean cannot be achieved from track level as there is not enough pressure on the brush against the windscreen at that distance.
The revised approach makes use of mobile staging at the depot, enabling cleaners to get closer access to windscreens on the Class 390s. This requires the overhead electrification to be isolated,
‘This is a great example of how small, practical improvements can make a real difference’ said Tim Barton, Train Presentation Manager at Alstom, on April 13. ‘By taking a closer look at the challenges our teams face day-to-day and working collaboratively with OCS, we’ve been able to introduce a relatively simple solution that delivers tangible benefits.’
Jason Stuart, Depot Manager at OCS, said ‘triggered by inconsistent existing procedures, the team reviewed risks, refined materials and access methods, and integrated the task into maintenance schedules. Two controlled trials informed improvements, supported by staff feedback and targeted training.’
