Carriage Washer Plants

[badassunicorn]

Hi all, my question is to do with train washer plants. I've seen on the continent they have some pretty amazing washers which have moving brushes for cleaning the front, sides and even the tops of trains (even with a pan). Are there any like this in the UK? The only ones I've seen are stationary drive through types which don't really do much other than get the train wet. How do some TOCs manage to keep their stock sparkling clean while others seem to have grubby trains. Is it down to hand cleaning?
Cheers

 

[monsento]

FGW do it by hand with agency staff...

 

[Clip]

Front ends are normally done by hand bashing and I am not sure for how much longer this practice will be allowed given the death of a poor soul at Ramsgate.
#

I do know the DLR has a wash with one roller that cleans the front but this looks to be a timely business.

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

There's a washer at Nottingham (Eastside), not sure if it washes the top.

 

[87015]

Keeping the washes serviceable, putting units through reguarly enough, hand cleaning seem to be the biggest drivers, and paying for the manpower to do it - small and simple things really. IMO its largely down to TOC interest in keeping stuff presentable rather than the actual equipment.

 

[gith]

There's one at Fratton TCD, you can see from most of the FTN platforms but I've never watched it in use. I believe it washed the Desiros and SWT diesel.

Also fairly certain that's where toe 444 derailed earlier in the year.

 

[455driver]

Front ends are normally done by hand bashing and I am not sure for how much longer this practice will be allowed given the death of a poor soul at Ramsgate.

So because one person died the practice (which has gone on for years) should be banned, no doubt on some dubious H&S interpretation!

Are you aware of the circumstance of this persons death?
It is always sad when somebody looses their life at work but unless there was some failings in the working practices ten sometimes (despite what some people like to believe) accidents do happen, and they will continue to happen.
You can minimise risk but cannot eradicate it!

 

[Clip]

So because one person died the practice (which has gone on for years) should be banned, no doubt on some dubious H&S interpretation!

Are you aware of the circumstance of this persons death?
It is always sad when somebody looses their life at work but unless there was some failings in the working practices ten sometimes (despite what some people like to believe) accidents do happen, and they will continue to happen.
You can minimise risk but cannot eradicate it!

Not immediately but I do know it is being looked at because one death is too many as I am sure you will agree. And please note I did not say that banning it outright was a certainty

Yes I do know the circumstances surrounding his death which is why it is being looked at and whilst it may not be ruled out all over the network given that large parts are not electrified, by not allowing the practice at places where the risk is much higher does in fact lead to minimising the risk to persons carrying out the job.

That's not my decision but I can see why they would come to it if they did.

 

[Freightmaster]

FGW do it by hand with agency staff...

What about washing their trains??

MARK

 

[alexl92]

It's been a while since I saw one up close but some of the EC Class 91s all used to have a dirt mark in the same place on the side near the panto - see http://www.docbrown.info/docspics/ArchiveSteam/archive4/Img_6151.jpg which I assumed was a result of the train washer 'missing a spot'.

 

[455driver]

It's been a while since I saw one up close but some of the EC Class 91s all used to have a dirt mark in the same place on the side near the panto - see http://www.docbrown.info/docspics/ArchiveSteam/archive4/Img_6151.jpg which I assumed was a result of the train washer 'missing a spot'.

Nope, its the carbon dust building up in the pan well and then being washed out of the drainage channel, it then sets rock hard on the body side.

 

[t_star2001uk]

The wash plant at Wembley does the sides and the roof. The front ends are cleaned as part of a fuel point exam.

 

[Panupreset]

Badassunicorn - they only come up clean after hand bashing. Swap 3 and 4 new shed my lovely lads!