Ashford Wheel Lathe Building Extension
Ashford, Kent
VEDA has produced plans for an extension at Hitachi’s Ashford Train Maintenance Centre to almost double size of the depot’s Wheel Lathe Building.
As high-speed trains run along the rail track parallel to the site, the design had to include a wall capable of withstanding the impact of a moving train in the event of accidental derailment. To that end, a reinforced concrete derailment protection wall 800mm thick, tapering to 500mm, was drawn into plan.
The design by VEDA’s Senior Engineer Peter Ato provides for an additional floor area of approximately 390m2 including a 28m long inspection pit with a depth of 1330mm and width of 1150mm. The internal layout has also been tracked to allow forklift turning between jacking zones.
Vital to the design is that the ground slab underpinning the extension is able to support the weight of the trains.
Tracks leading to the depot will have to be removed to facilitate the extension and replaced upon completion. Also, buried cables, electrical cables and drainage pipes as well as a chain link fence and bollards located at the site had to be taken into account in the design.
Operations at the Wheel Lathe Building will cease during construction but the plans have been put together to minimise the site’s downtime.
The erection of the building in the vicinity of overhead line equipment (OLE) necessary for powering the line’s fleet of electric trains was another challenge of the design. “The plans have been put together to ensure they take into account that interface and manoeuvre around them,” Peter said.
The building is designed for a 60-year life cycle and includes a mezzanine area with a briefing room, canteen and kitchenette.
Maintenance of Hitachi’s Class 395 trains in service across the South East of England, commuter trains serving London and Hitachi’s 2017 train fleet will take place at the depot.
Project Details:
Project Name: Ashford Wheel Lathe Building Extension
Type of Project: Train shed extension
Client: SERC
Date completed: July 2017
Services Provided:
- Civil Engineering
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