Chester Depot - High-Level Access Platform
The Challenge
Chester Depot, part of Transport for Wales’ strategic maintenance scheme for the new CAF 197 class trains, needed a safe and efficient way to access train roofs for critical maintenance. The requirements were demanding:
No structural columns supporting the platform
Strict hand-back times each night to keep the depot operational
Minimal disruption to ongoing services
The challenge was to design and build a high-level access platform that met these constraints while ensuring safety and durability.
Our Solution
RCA was appointed as the main design-and-build contractor and delivered an innovative solution:
Strengthened Existing Roof: Through detailed structural modelling, RCA strengthened the existing roof to support the new platform without additional columns.
Prefabricated Sections: The platform was fabricated off-site in large sections to minimize on-site construction time.
Precision Installation: Sections were lifted into place during a strict two-hour window each day, ensuring safe hand-back for night operations.
The Result
The project was completed successfully, providing Chester Depot with:
Safe Roof Access: Enabling efficient maintenance of CAF 197 trains.
Zero Operational Disruption: Strict scheduling ensured depot services continued uninterrupted.
Cost and Time Efficiency: Prefabrication and innovative design reduced construction time and complexity.
This project demonstrates RCA’s ability to deliver complex rail infrastructure solutions under tight operational constraints.
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CAF / Transport for Wales
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Chester, England
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Rail & Infrastructure
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2024