Toolbox Installation Assemblies

REQUIREMENT

London Underground has been working with Lineworx to update the trackside assets on the network near crossings. It has been identified that the works that are undertaken at crossings generally occur in possession time due to the nature of the work and proximity to the live track. (Possesion Time is when the rail line is closed for works to take place. This is usually timed to around four hours and has to include closing the track, paperwork, and setting up so the actually time spent “working” is less than this). Due to working in possessions there is always the philosophy to see if time can be reduced in the necessary operations that occur in the maintenance of level crossing.

The feedback has been that to increase output tools and parts should be readily available at the jobsite. A large part of the time in crossing refurbishment workers have to manually carry anything up to 50Kg’s of product, equipment and tools to the working area prior to getting the works started. Lineworx were engaged by London Underground to trial a suitable solution to this situation where the parts could be readily available on location for the refurbishment to begin at the prescribed time.

SOLUTION

The consensus was to have a toolbox local to the crossing which would be stocked with essential tools such as spanners, sockets and service/spare point products which would be used in level crossing refurbishment.

Lineworx engaged Anchor Systems (International) Ltd to incorporate the rapid Anchor Post foundation technology with specialist fabricated toolboxes. A trial was undertaken where the toolbox system was constructed within a swift timescale due to portable plant that was handled on site and the nature of the Anchor Post solution not requiring wet trades during installation.

Sixteen Toolbox care kits were constructed at various locations around Acton station to reduce the overall time on site and reduce risks to operatives during this period. Further crossings are now being scheduled to have these trackside care kits installed to achieve the benefits gained at Acton Station.