What does it take to keep Translink’s fleet of over 40 modern diesel trains on the tracks?What does it take to keep Translink’s fleet of over 40 modern diesel trains on the tracks? Well, on Wednesday 14th November, a group from the IET Northern Ireland found out as they were welcomed into Translink’s £28M Maintenance Facility at Adelaide.
Led by Richard Noble, Head of Rail Fleet Engineering at NI Railways, the group glimpsed inside the state of the art facilities that come to life each night to keep the wheels in motion on Translink’s Modern fleet of CAF 3000 and 4000 series DMUs. Built in 2012, the Adelaide facility has been designed exclusively for the maintenance of this fleet, and members were afforded a guided tour of all that is involved. From the main maintenance area where entire trains are jacked upwards from the tracks for work, to the engine testing area, and extensive parts facilities, the tour showed just how much work is put in to maintaining this fleet to the highest standards. With numerous technical and operational questions from the assembled group aptly answered by Richard and his team, and a few anecdotes thrown in for good measure, the group were certainly glad of the late train home as the welcome extended into the evening!
Our sincere thanks to Richard and the engineering team at NI Railways for welcoming the group into their facility, providing an insight into the work it takes to keep the Northern Ireland rail network in motion.