‘Tina’ on hand to ensure region’s train wheels “keep on turning”

A wheel lathe named Tina has been unveiled as the latest weapon in the battle to ensure the region’s train wheels “keep on turning”.

The machine, which reshapes and balances a train’s wheels following natural wear and tear in service, reduces the impact of the train on the track and makes journeys smoother for customers of the company which runs services through the region including from Ilkeston Railway Station.

It has been installed at one of the company depots as part of an £8.9m project between Network Rail and Northern.

Nicknamed ‘Tina’ by the train operator’s engineers, she replaces an old wheel lathe called ‘Charlotte’ and has doubled the wheel-lathing capacity of the depot.

In total, 1,600 tonnes of soil, stone and concrete were excavated to accommodate her and 184 tonnes of concrete was used to set the lathe in place.

Jack Commandeur, engineering director at Northern, said: “Tina is a very much welcomed addition to the engineering arsenal and will enable us to repair wheels without having to remove them from the train, which makes the process far more efficient.

“Turning wheels on the lathe extends their life and reduces the costs associated with replacing them. The increase in wheel lathing capacity also means trains will spend less time out of passenger service for maintenance.

“This has been a significant project to deliver requiring perseverance and co-operation on all sides and I am thankful to the team at Network Rail, my colleagues here at Northern and our suppliers for delivering this fabulous new capability.”

Clinton Ralphs, sponsor for the project at Network Rail, said: “It’s fantastic to see the new tandem wheel lathe now operational, significantly improving the efficiency of our wheel turning process.

“This joint venture with Northern has allowed us to revive a key aspect of the depot’s history, by installing the new wheel lathe equipment there, giving improved capacity, performance and reliability for Northern. After much anticipation, it’s wonderful to witness its arrival, which will undoubtedly enhance the engineering capabilities at the depot.”

Robin Gisby, chief executive operator at DFTO, said: “Tina is an excellent example of partnership working, demonstrating how DFTO train operators and Network Rail are working together to drive efficiencies, improve performance, and deliver a more reliable railway for passengers.”

Engineers have been receiving training on how to use the new wheel lathe in the last couple of weeks and she will now enter regular service.

In November, the team at the depot was recognised with a ‘Silver Spanner’ award for their work to maintain some of Northern’s fleet.