Tyseley Depot - Wheel Lathe Upgrade
The Challenge
The existing wheel lathe at Tyseley Depot had reached the end of its service life and required replacement. Modern wheel lathes differ significantly in size and dimensions, meaning the old concrete structure could not accommodate the new equipment. Installing a replacement lathe typically involves major civil engineering works, leading to high costs and prolonged downtime—a serious issue for a depot where wheel lathing is critical to operations.
Our Solution
West Midlands Trains approached RCA to find a solution that minimised disruption and cost. RCA’s innovative approach focused on retaining as much of the existing pit as possible. Instead of breaking out the old structure, RCA implemented a stitch drilling method, reducing the need for full demolition and heavy reconstruction.
Key benefits of this approach included:
Halved Construction Schedule: Cutting downtime by six months.
Cost Savings: Avoiding extensive civil works and reducing overall project expenditure.
Sustainability: Reusing existing infrastructure wherever possible.
The Result
The project was completed successfully, delivering a modern wheel lathe installation with minimal disruption. The solution saved six months of downtime, reduced costs, and provided a more sustainable construction method. Today, this project is regarded as a blueprint for reducing construction time on wheel lathe installations
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West Midlands Trains
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Birmingham, England
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Rail & Infrastructure
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2021