VolkerRail’s fleet of Beaver tampers is set to expand following the arrival of a second S&C Beaver from Holland.
Working in a close partnership with VolkerRail Netherlands, we are trialling a new shared ownership approach, meaning the machine will travel between the UK and Holland, to help meet increasing demand in both countries.
As a leading provider of tamping machines in the UK, this unique approach creates opportunities for greater flexibility around work schedules and locations, alongside introducing the scope for tandem S&C tamping; something never undertaken in the UK before with machines of this type.
Throughout the project, the teams in the UK and the Netherlands have worked closely together to ensure the tamper will be suitable to work on Network Rail infrastructure, as well as complying with requirements in the Netherlands, Germany and Finland.
Mark Jackson, plant director, commented: “This is an exciting time, as we pilot a new approach to optimising plant usage. We already have a great relationship with the team in Holland, and have worked together on a variety of machines over the years, from OTMs and overhead line trains, to rail-welding equipment.
“This latest joint effort continues to build on our positive relationship, and we expect it will create further opportunities for the future, as we discuss best practice and share lessons learnt.”
The tamper’s first journey to the UK was completed in just 15 hours, having travelled from Dordrecht to Rotterdam, where it boarded a ferry to Hull, before being transported to our depot in Scunthorpe.
The international joint team has now overseen all the necessary steps to allow the machine to pass the first stage of the Engineering Compliance Certificate (ECC) process. With this complete, the tamper will undergo further desktop validation and final practical tests to obtain the essential ECC certificate.
The first planned working shift in the UK will take place at Marchey’s House crossing, near Ashington. The machine will then travel back to Holland in November, to undergo annual planned maintenance.
Commenting on the partnership, Cor Van Ekeren, equipment specialist at VolkerRail Netherlands, said: “Over the past few months, we have been assisting with the certification of our Beaver tamper for use in the UK.
“We have a long history of working with the team in the UK, and we look forward to the continued development of this relationship and the benefits sharing the machine will bring, as both countries work hard to keep up with project demands.”
