Modernising Trojan Locos

Modernising Trojans
Four locomotives were built by Corus, Northern Engineering Services between 2008 and 2011. The first “Trojan” locomotive, No.920, was supplied in October 2009, followed by No.921 in February and No.922 in May 2010. The fourth locomotive No. 923 remained at Scunthorpe under construction.

Inherent problems
From new, it was reported that these locomotives were found to have numerous inherent design issues which made them unsuitable for the original planned duties due to unreliability, poor accessibility, maintainability and poor cab ergonomics.   Following a number of discussions between Tata Steel & Hunslet, No.923 was delivered to Hunslet’s manufacturing works in April 2011 and Hunslet were tasked by Tata Steel Port Talbot to carry out a fault evaluation of the locomotive and propose recommendations for improvement.

Cab and controls
A new, ergonomically designed cab/driving arrangement was installed with a fore-and-aft driving position that improves the drivers visibility, comfort and accessibility. New heating and insulation was installed, and the whole cab refinished to a higher standard.

The electrical control system was completely replaced with a Hunslet-proven IQAN-based electronic system to provide a locomotive that is safe, reliable and easy to operate. The IQAN controls all functions allowing programming to suit site conditions

Finishing touches
The whole locomotive was then repainted in Tata Steel livery, giving it a much smarter appearance.

On completion, the locomotive was static tested in Hunslet’s works at Barton under Needwood, prior to undergoing dynamic testing at Chasewater Railway. It then began commissioning and field trials on 16 April 2012 at its designated site of Port Talbot.
Hunslet are now hard at work on two more Trojan locomotives, No’s 921 and 922, which should be completed in June and July 2012. The fourth locomotive is expected to arrive at Barton under Needwood in July and should be ready for service by September.  All four of Tata Steel’s smart new Trojan locos will then be fit to do what was originally intended, be the backbone of the locomotive fleet at Tata Steel Port Talbot.

Appointment of Group Chief Operating Officer

LH Group is pleased to confirm that Dave Waller will be joining the Company during March 2012, in the new role of Group Chief Operating Officer. The position will strengthen the existing management team and assist in driving the business forward across all sectors.
Dave has 8 years of experience as an Independent Consultant working with ROSCO’s, rolling stock refurbishment / maintenance companies and other key suppliers. This experience covers project management as well as Reliability and performance improvement activities. Prior to moving to the rail industry Dave has managed manufacturing businesses within the automotive sector.
LH Group and Dave have already worked closely together on high level projects over the last two years and as such, Dave will be a great asset to the board.
Dave’s two key responsibilities’ will be business development and project implementation across all Group companies. The later responsibility will ensure that new products and services are fully integrated into the LH Group ensuring customer requirements are fully achieved.

LH Group Gains RISAS

It is with great pleasure we can announce LH Group has been awarded the prestigious RISAS (Railway Industry Supplier Approval Scheme) certification for the overhaul and supply of wheelsets, bogies, engines and transmissions to the rail industry.

As part of our continuing endeavour to achieve quality excellence and supplier perfection representatives from numerous departments within the Group undertook the huge task of ensuring all of our working procedures would meet with RISAS exacting standards.

RIQC a RISAB (Rail Industry Supplier Approval Scheme Accreditation Body) visited LH Group Wheelsets and LH Group Services to assess the companies ability to reach the high standards required to achieve supplier approval. Over a two week period subject matter experts from RIQC assessed processes and documentation connected with the overhaul of wheelsets and bogies then moving onto engines and transmissions.

RISAS qualification was achieved in early July 2010 which brings with it the responsibility of being the first in the industry to be RISAS accredited for engines and transmissions.

We are extremely proud that LH Group has yet again led the way in an ever developing industry, this award further demonstrates our strong commitment to delivering only the very highest quality products and services to its customers.

For further information, please contact: Sarah Millington – Marketing Manager
LH Group Services Ltd.
Phone: 01283 722600
Email: Sarah Millington