Rail operator Aurizon says it’s been trialling a new model of maintenance for its rollingstock, which removes the need to break trains and shunt wagons to depots for maintenance.
The Queensland-based operator’s Rollingstock Maintenance team calls it the On-Train Repair model.
“The process involves keeping the train together as a block and mobilising maintenance crews to the train to conduct repairs such as wheel changes, brake block replacements and minor welding,” Aurizon said.
“New wheel change kits have been trialled which allow wagons to be jacked up on track and wheels placed into positon under the bogies.”
Using this approach, multiple wheels on the same train can be changed out simultaneously, the operator explained.
“This significantly reduces the time that wagons are out of service, from what could be several days in the depot to only a few hours on track.”
Aurizon says the process is underpinned by condition monitoring technology and analysis tools, designed to provide detailed information on wheel and component condition.
This technology allows Aurizon to schedule the right train into the designated track at the right time so that the components, equipment and maintainers are already in place to perform the wheel change as soon as the train arrives.
“This approach reduces the number of yard shunts performed, eases yard congestion, reduces asset downtime and reduces the number of spare wagons required to support rollingstock maintenance activities,” the company said. “Overall this results in improved asset productivity and lower operating costs.”
Aurizon is rolling out the process across maintenance depots in Queensland, with implementation aimed to be completed across Jilalan, Callemondah, Pring and Hexham by the end of 2015.