An East Midlands-based railway engineering business has won a seven figure contract to overhaul Network Rail’s “Flying Banana”.
Loram UK, a rail and rolling stock maintenance specialist based in Derby, has agreed a major partnership to service Network Rail’s New Measurement Train (NMT) – which has gained the Flying Banana nickname because of its yellow livery and high-speed operation.
The train monitors and records track condition information at speeds up to 125mph, helping identify faults before they become a safety issue or affect line performance.
Network Rail said the train – which also helps prevent unnecessary maintenance work – was the “most technically advanced train of its type in the world”.
Andrew Watson, Loram UK’s international business development director, said the agreement was the latest signed with Network Rail and would be vital to extending the life and performance of the Flying Banana.
He said: “There is only one in the UK so the work it does is vital in measuring rail infrastructure to allow maintenance to take place and keep high-speed rail going.
“When you consider how important high-speed rail is to the UK, whether it is moving people or goods, the importance of the NMT cannot be understated and we are very proud to be working on it.”
The train, converted from an Intercity train, is equipped with high-tech measurement systems, track scanners, and high-resolution cameras, measuring the condition of the tracks and overhead line equipment at high speed.
It records data points, which are then passed to the relevant infrastructure managers to assess.
Mr Watson said: “Without it and the monitoring work it does, high speed trains would not run at high speed. What we will be doing is essentially amid-life extension programme for the next 12-14 months.
“We are delighted to be continuing to grow our trusted partner relationship with Network Rail to provide maintenance and service work for them.”
