Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited

23/12/2016

Porterbrook successfully completes RISAS reaccreditation

Porterbrook which owns and manages a large portfolio of rail assets has successfully completed RISAS reaccreditation and has been certified for the maximum period of 3 years.

The Railway Industry Supplier Approval Scheme (RISAS) is a proven, reliable way for the rail industry to assess and approve critical product suppliers, supported by the safety regulator. RISAS also provides assessment and certification for suppliers of critical products and services, on behalf of the whole GB mainline rail industry.

The train continues to become an even more popular transport mode. In 2013-14, the mainline railway saw nearly 1.6 billion passenger journeys made and over 115 million tonnes of freight carried. Maintaining the safety and reliability of trains to make this happen is critical, and relies on suppliers and customers both having a lucid appreciation of the risks, and a proven capability to manage them.

Neil Foster, Fleet & Standards Director at Porterbrook commented “We are proud to have achieved RISAS reaccreditation as a provider of heavy maintenance and modification services, demonstrating our professional approach to operations management.”

The assessment was undertaken by Railway Approvals Limited as a Rail Industry Supplier Approval Body (RISAB), accredited by RSSB. For further information, go to www.risas.co.uk

22/12/2016

Porterbrook and Northern to introduce bi-mode Class 319 Flex trains

Working with the Rail North Partnership, to support a growing railway in the north, Porterbrook and train operator Northern, part of the Arriva Group, are jointly developing a highly innovative rolling stock concept.

Porterbrook Leasing is pleased to announce that it has committed to deliver to Northern, a variant of a Class 319 electric train which is able to operate seamlessly over electrified and non-electrified routes, spreading the benefits of electrification to more rail users. The project is supported by Rail North, representing local authorities in the north of England.

The Class 319 Flex concept is designed to create a bi-mode train by fitting two diesel powered alternators, one under each of the driving trailer cars. The diesel alternators provide power to the existing traction and auxiliary equipment to allow the EMU to operate without an overhead or 3rd rail supply. The systems will provide power through the train’s DC bus, avoiding any significant changes to the existing equipment and creating a unit capable of operating from a number of different power sources whilst maintaining its full capabilities on electrified routes.

From inception, the concept for the Class 319 Flex was developed to minimise alterations to the existing vehicle design, and hence kept the cost of conversion to an attractive level. The design also has provision to cater for a range of operations, either as an alternative to existing DMUs or offering more performance if required through the fitment of additional batteries for non-electrified operations.

Zena Dent, Projects & Technical Director for Porterbrook said “The highly innovative Class 319 Flex will be a flexible and highly efficient unit that will provide operators with a ‘go anywhere’ train, something which is not currently available with any other rolling stock solution.”

David Hoggarth, Rail North Director, said “We are very pleased to work together with rail industry partners to support the development of this innovative rolling stock solution that will contribute to the transformation of rail services currently underway in the north of England, helping to support economic growth.”
Concept design work is now complete and work has started with Wabtec/Brush on the detailed design phase of the project.

The first units will be in passenger service with train operator Arriva Northern by spring 2018 and from then on will be available to a wide range of operators who will be able to make full use of electrically powered rolling stock on partially electrified routes.

20/12/2016

Abellio ScotRail Class 170 Refurbishment

Porterbrook Leasing’s Class 170 units on lease with Abellio ScotRail are currently undergoing a £7m refurbishment programme at Wabtec Rail Scotland, upgrading passenger facilities on a total of 17 x 3 Car units.

Transport Scotland specified that ScotRail should invest in new and refurbished rolling stock and Abellio, Porterbrook and Wabtec are working together to deliver an enhanced class 170 fleet. These currently operate across the main inter-city routes linking the 7 Scottish Cities as well as many central belt suburban routes.

The units are receiving an internal refurbishment programme, plus a heavy overhaul to all door equipment and air conditioning systems. On-train facilities are being upgraded by the provision of powers sockets throughout the units. The opportunity is also being taken to introduce the latest Saltire interior branding to the vehicles, including all new carpets, vehicle side panels, seat covers and curtains giving an improved travel experience.

The units are being fitted with higher quality replacement saloon CCTV and a new forward facing CCTV system, which will provide enhanced passenger security and will record images of the track and line side area from the drivers cab.
With the programme at the half way point, the seventh unit to be completed, 170407, carries the British Transport Police external livery, promoting the 61016 text service, sponsored by Transport Scotland.

To mark this milestone, Transport Scotland’s Chief Executive, Roy Brannen, visited Wabtec Rail Scotland to view unit 170407 in its final phase of completion.
He said “It was great to visit Wabtec Rail Scotland to see the excellent progress being made on this refurbishment programme that will bring benefits to passengers through improved comfort and security. The newly wrapped train looks good and it also promotes a campaign which will make a difference to rail travellers all across the country.

This type of refurbishment is not only meeting our aspirations for improved passenger experience, it also supports investment in local jobs.”

Olivier André, Porterbrook’s Commercial Director, said “Along with other fleet improvement programmes, Porterbrook and Abellio ScotRail are working towards a better, more reliable and safer railway in Scotland and we are pleased to support Transport Scotland and British Transport Police with such a worthwhile livery.”

Angus Thom, engineering director at ScotRail, said: “The 170s are popular with customers and these additional enhancements, including power points and upgraded surroundings, are most welcome.”

Images show Transport Scotland being shown around Wabtec Rail Scotland, Kilmarnock, by representatives of Wabtec and Porterbrook Leasing.

20/12/2016

It’s time to tackle leaves on the line... ..with a new innovation from Porterbrook, SNC-Lavalin, Knorr Bremise Rail Services, Loram and Abellio East Anglia

The Class 15x fleet of trains was built in the 1980s when wheel slide protection systems were not fitted as standard. As a result, the trains suffer wheel damage during the autumn leaf fall season. Leaf fall is widely recognised as a problem within the rail sector, causing delays, a lack of availability of trains for passenger service and leading to longer stopping distances in some conditions.

Porterbrook Leasing owns around 250 Class 15x vehicles, so was keen to find a solution to the problem. By working in collaboration with SNC-Lavalin, Knorr Bremse Rail Services (KBRS), Loram and Abellio East Anglia, a new design of wheel slide protection was developed for the UK. The project was a team effort; Porterbrook acted as lead organisation; KBRS supplied and adapted the equipment to ensure the design was suitable for the application; SNC-Lavalin led the system integration to the existing vehicles and Loram carried out the installation of the first in class unit. The train operator, Abellio East Anglia supported the dynamic testing.

The project team was set the ambitious target of getting one unit into service in time for leaf fall 2016, allowing only four months from concept design to final testing. KBRS’ latest generation wheel slide protection system (MGS3) had been used on high speed trains elsewhere in Europe, but it was a new product to the UK market and had never before been fitted to tread braked vehicles.

The first unit performed well and the system activated multiple times when slippery tracks were encountered - similar to an anti-lock brake on a car - automatically managing the train traction and braking systems, preventing serious damage to the wheels. This first unit remained in service throughout the autumn period, unlike similar Class 15Xs which had to be stopped for wheel reprofiling. Plans are now being developed to roll out the installation to the remainder of Porterbrook’s fleets.

Colin Dobson, the Engineering Director at Abellio East Anglia, comments: "The WSP system installed on the 156 provided a critical capability during our most operationally vulnerable and challenging period. We were also able to gather invaluable comparative data to show how the system both added operational resilience and protected service levels.”

15/04/2016

Fiona Malcolm Wins Young Rail Professional of the Year

Fiona Malcolm was announced as the ‘Young Rail Professional of the Year 2016’ at the YRP Dinner on Friday 8th April 2016.

Fiona joined Porterbrook in September 2012 with a MEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering and has since followed Porterbrook’s IMechE accredited Monitored Professional Development Scheme. On completion of her initial training, Fiona was appointed as Fleet Engineer with responsibility for Porterbrook’s fleets on lease to Northern Rail.

The award was given in front of over 300 rail professionals at this year’s spectacular event at the National Railway Museum in York.

Fiona was praised for going above and beyond what is expected of someone at an early stage in her career, in particular with regards to inspiring and supporting other young people to develop themselves. This is demonstrated by her work in organising the IMechE Railway Division Developing Engineers seminar and promoting Porterbrook at iRail and Big Bang fairs. The judging panel, consisting of rail industry representatives from the YRP committee, CPC Project Services, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff and Arriva, were impressed by the range of nominees and their ambition and enthusiasm for their careers.

Notes to Editors: Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited ("Porterbrook") is a leading player in the rail leasing market and has a rolling stock fleet of over 6,000 vehicles on lease or on order, which includes over 4,000 passenger vehicles. Porterbrook has been highly successful in winning new train orders since privatisation, investing in over 2,000 new passenger vehicles and more than 2,000 freight locomotives and wagons, and in the refurbishment of much of its in-fleet equipment. The company also provides ongoing train maintenance services. In October 2014 the Porterbrook Group of companies was acquired by a consortium of investors including Alberta Investment Management Corporation (“AIMCo”), Allianz Capital Partners (“ACP”) on behalf of certain insurance companies of the Allianz Group, EDF Invest and Hastings Funds Management.

Image Credit: Rail Alliance

07/03/2016

Porterbrook Leasing is pleased to announce that Phil White has been appointed as the Company’s new Chairman and he will be joining the Board on 26 April 2016. He takes over from Alan Lewis who has been Chairman for seven and half years.

Phil is a Chartered Accountant and has considerable experience in the Transport Sector including ten years as CEO of National Express.

Paul Francis, Managing Director, Porterbrook said “Alan has been Chairman for a number of years and I would like to thank him for his support and contribution over this period. I am looking forward to welcoming Phil onto the Board and working with him; his wealth of experience will be an invaluable asset to us.”

Phil White said “I am very pleased to be taking on the role of Chairman of Porterbrook. The company has an important role to play in the UK rail industry and I look forward to working with members of the Board to help take the business forward.”

Phil is also Chairman of Lookers plc, Unite Group, Kier Group and Vantage Motor Group.

Notes to Editors:
Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited ("Porterbrook") is a leading player in the rail leasing market and has a rolling stock fleet of around 6,000 vehicles on lease or on order, which includes over 4,000 passenger vehicles. Porterbrook has been highly successful in winning new train orders since privatisation, investing in over 2,300 new passenger vehicles and more than 2,000 freight locomotives and wagons, and in the refurbishment of much of its in-fleet equipment. The company also provides ongoing train maintenance services. In October 2014 the Porterbrook Group of companies was acquired by a consortium of investors including Alberta Investment Management Corporation (“AIMCo”), Allianz Capital Partners (“ACP”) on behalf of certain insurance companies of the Allianz Group, EDF Invest and Hastings Funds Management.

03/02/2016

New website now live. https://www.porterbrook.co.uk

Porterbrook Leasing Company specialises in the leasing of all types of railway rolling stock and associated equipment. As one of the three major rolling stock leasing companies, Porterbrook…

03/02/2016

The winners of the annual Modern Railways Golden Spanner Awards were announced at the Fourth Friday Club meeting held on Friday 27th November.

The awards celebrate the efforts of train maintenance teams, depots and rolling stock leasing companies for train reliability.

This year Porterbrook picked up a total of 12 of the 17 available awards including an additional Golden Spanner awarded to mark the Class 458’s achievements in being the most reliable EMU four years in succession.

Porterbrook strives to consistently get the best out of its rail vehicle portfolio for the satisfaction of its customers and the travelling public and these results reinforce Porterbrook’s reputation as industry leader on fleet performance. We would like to thank our partners and customers for their contribution in achieving this success.