Project: Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway
Railway
Sector: Heritage Rail
Products: Diesel Engine Bay Access Stands & Carriage Access Steps
Application: Locomotive and rolling stock maintenance
Diesel Engine Bay and Carriage Access Solutions
Supporting heritage railway maintenance with versatile aluminium access equipment
Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway operates a heritage railway in South Wales, maintaining a varied collection of locomotives and rolling stock.
Having seen Alto access equipment in use at the Severn Valley Railway, the team approached Alto for a practical access solution to support maintenance work on its own rolling stock.
The Requirement
Safe, practical access around locomotives and rolling stock is an important part of overhaul and maintenance routines, particularly where teams need to work at raised levels alongside vehicles.
Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway required versatile access equipment that could support a range of maintenance and restoration activities across its varied rolling stock, including carriages and wagons, and diesel locomotives.
The railway also required dedicated access steps for carriage maintenance and crew access.
The Alto Solution
Having seen Alto access equipment in use at the Severn Valley Railway, Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway initially purchased a pair of Diesel Engine Bay Access stands.
The aluminium access platforms can be used individually or coupled together end-to-end, providing a flexible working platform alongside different types of locomotives and rolling stock.
At Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, the platforms are used for carriage and wagon maintenance, diesel locomotive maintenance, restoration and painting.
Following the initial purchase, the railway returned to Alto for a second pair of access platforms, extending the equipment available to its maintenance teams.
Carriage Access steps were also supplied for use by the carriage team, where they provide access for both carriage maintenance and crew use.
The Outcome
The combination of access platforms and carriage access steps gives Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway adaptable access equipment that can be used across a wide range of rolling stock maintenance, restoration and operational activities, reducing their risk of falls from height.
From diesel locomotive maintenance to carriage restoration, painting and crew access, the equipment can be deployed according to the particular vehicle and task.
Alto Rail Access
Alto designs and manufactures specialist aluminium access equipment for the rail industry, from standard access products to bespoke solutions developed around individual vehicles, depots and maintenance requirements.
Our rail access range includes Diesel Engine Bay Access, Carriage and Side Access Steps, Pit Covers, Pit Bridges, Roof Access Bridges and bespoke maintenance platforms.
Click here to view Alto's rail access range
