Greater Anglia - Norwich Crown Point Sanding Plant
The Challenge
Norwich Crown Point Depot needed a modern sanding system to improve operational efficiency and safety. The existing process was outdated and labour-intensive as sand was transported in wheelbarrows and manually shovelled into the train sandboxes—a method that took around 4 hours per train and posed safety risks for staff.
Greater Anglia required a solution that would reduce downtime, improve safety, and streamline operations without disrupting depot activities.
Our Solution
Building on successful R&D work at Cambridge, RCA designed and installed one of the largest sanding systems ever deployed on the UK rail network. The new system introduced:
Centralised Sand Storage: Sand delivered to a silo for efficient handling.
Automated Distribution Network: A complex pipe system dispersing sand across the site.
Holster Filling System: Similar to a petrol pump, allowing trains to be refilled quickly and safely.
This innovation reduced sanding time from 4 hours to just 45 minutes, dramatically improving turnaround times.
The Result
Completed in November 2025, the Norwich Crown Point sanding plant has been hailed as a major success. Key benefits include:
90% Time Savings: Faster train servicing and reduced downtime.
Enhanced Safety: Eliminated manual handling and reduced risk of accidents.
Cleaner Operations: No sand spillage, preventing blocked drains and site hazards.
The project set a new benchmark for depot efficiency and safety across the UK rail network.
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Greater Anglia Trains
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Norwich, England
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Rail & Infrastructure
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Ongoing