Media Releases

12/09/2015

Voith Rail Service Overhauls Main Components for the Class 185

Heidenheim/London
Class 185 diesel railcar operated by First TransPennine Express with Voith RailPack
Voith RailPacks are drive systems for use in single and multiple diesel railcars
In July 2015, Voith Turbo Ltd commenced the major overhaul of 157 Voith cooler groups and 167 T 312 bre turbo transmissions for the Class 185 First TransPennine Express diesel multiple units (DMU) fleet that operates in the North West of England.

For over nine years, First TransPennine Express has operated 51 diesel multiple three-car units built by Siemens. The DMU’s are fitted with Voith RailPacks, meaning the train is capable of reaching top speeds of up to 160 km/h. Integrated into each unit are three drive systems with T 312 turbo transmission, SK- and KE-485 gear units, underfloor cooling system with generator, universal joint shaft, highly flexible couplings and an electronic VTDC control system. An engine module is also part of the driveline which includes connecting piping and mounting rafts, as well as a QSK19 Cummins diesel engine to complete the Class 185 RailPack.

The two-year service contract was awarded to Voith by Siemens, the train maintenance provider. This contract includes dedicated project management and continues the growth in the relationship after Siemens awarded Voith the ‘Most Improved Supplier’ in 2012 and ‘Best Service Provider’ in 2013.

Prior to this, Voith had successfully completed the first major overhaul of 167 T 312 bre turbo transmissions, 165 Voith engine modules and 320 gear units of the SK- and KE-485 variation for the same Class 185 vehicle. These previous contracts also include the award of the overhaul of 108 couplers from the Class 185 trains and this latest overhaul contract sees Voith maintain an excellent supply for servicing major systems for Siemens in Ardwick, Manchester. The couplers major overhaul paved the way for Voith Turbo Ltd. to invest in a new line of business resources for the overhaul of non-Voith couplers.

This latest major overhaul will be completed at the Voith Service Centre in Greenford, Greater London. The Service Centre has recently invested in installing a new cooler group test rig to check all the cooler group functions and measure real-time cooling. Work space has also been expanded in this area to enable the servicing of multiple cooler group contracts that are due to run in parallel. The Voith Service Centre is a dedicated service workshop that looks after all rail products, including couplers, electrical boxes, cooler groups, spring couplings, turbo transmissions and gear units. Voith Turbo Ltd is also able to overhaul non-Voith products, including couplers and cooler groups.

Voith sees its Service Centre as an extremely important site for sales and service for rail vehicle components. Voith Rail Service employees apply their expertise on a daily basis and not only restore the quality and reliabil-ity of the components during maintenance but also further develop and improve them.

About Voith Turbo
Voith Turbo, a Group Division of Voith GmbH, is the specialist for intelligent drive solutions and systems. Customers from highly diverse industries such as oil and gas, energy, mining and mechanical engineering, ship technology, rail and commercial vehicles rely on advanced technologies from Voith Turbo.

About the Company
Voith sets standards in the markets energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs more than 39,000 people, generates € 5.3 billion in sales, operates in about 50 countries around the world and is today one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe.

Contact

Kristine Adams

Director Corporate and Market Communication EMEA

 

t +49 7321 37-2228