HANDRAILS: TBM Rail is refurbishing the passenger grab poles, rails and handles on almost 700 Bombardier Class 377 Electrostar electric multiple-unit cars used on Govia Thameslink Railway’s Southern services.
‘We were asked to source and provide a solution to the aging polyester coatings that in today’s climate are no longer fit for purpose’, explained TBM Rail director Neil Smith. ‘Passengers quite rightly demand higher standards. Chipped and damaged poles and handles are not acceptable.’
The three-year project involves sandblasting the existing polyester coatings, before applying a Nylon R-AG supplied by Omnikotem which Smith said was ‘resistant to most damage’.
TBM Rail is also replacing rubber, silicone and neoprene gaskets.
