Hyder slashes water and energy consumption at Tyseley Depot

In order to carry out maintenance work on a train, its underframe needs a thorough washing.  In the UK this is usually carried out in a shed with a pit that is as long as the train, however at the Tyseley depot in Birmingham, this process was ineffective, labour intensive and a threat to workers’ health and safety.
 
The solution
Hyder Consulting developed a new system which uses a bespoke wash apron of only 8.0m x 7.2m in footprint on the line of an existing track.
 
This solution has slashed the amount of hot water needed to wash a three-car train at the depot from 30,000 litres to 600 litres.  Time required has similarly been cut from three hours to just seven minutes and it is anticipated that carbon emissions will be reduced by 550T CO2/year.  The savings in consumables are expected to repay the capital costs within five years.
 
In recognition of their innovation, the project team has won the Institution of Civil Engineers West Midlands Innovation Award and was finalist in the UK Environment Agency Water Efficiency Awards