The multi-million-pound deal with GB Railfreight will deliver planned preventative maintenance and failure repairs for a total of 720 wagons, 570 of which are owned by Wascosa. In addition, Wabtec will overhaul wheelsets for the Wascosa vehicles at their Doncaster facility.
The mixed fleet of FEA, MLA and JNA types, to be deployed by Network Rail as part of a 10-year infrastructure modernisation plan, will be managed by Wabtec UK’s Doncaster based team who will co-ordinate with GB Railfreight and Network Rail to ensure effective maintenance planning.
The team will be responsible for measuring in-contract performance, administration and storage of a material float of wheelsets, bogie frames and air brake equipment, along with providing a 24/7, 365-day call-out service.
The mobile maintenance team will maintain units at Network Rail LDC’s nationwide.
We are confident that the extensive experience of Wabtec UK within the freight sector will provide strong and positive on-going support for GB Railfreight, whose primary roles are final assembly, maintenance and deployment of these new modular wagon systems.
Garry Mowbray, Vice President Regional Services UK – Wabtec, comments: “this is a superb team effort by all involved and provides further evidence of Wabtec UK’s well-earned and justifiable reputation within the freight sector. I am confident that our skilled maintenance teams will provide the robust support and responsiveness that GB Railfreight will deservedly expect”.
David Golding, Asset Director of GB Railfreight, said: “With their wealth of experience and long, reputable history of successfully managing wagons, the award of our contract to Wabtec UK will come as positive news to the freight industry. We have full confidence in the ability of their maintenance teams and look forward to working with them in support of our customers.”
