Alstom to provide Traintracer technology for Southeastern Networker trains

Angel Trains & Southeastern have awarded Alstom a contract for the design, supply and installation of a Traintracer remote condition monitoring system for 93 Networker Electric Multiple Units, built in the 1990s.

To improve the reliability of train services, maintainers need live fault data from their trains, however it is often discovered that data can only be downloaded when the train returns to the maintenance depot. By fitting the Traintracer condition monitoring system with GPS location tracking to each train, fault data can be processed and transmitted by the train while it is in service.  For example, at the maintenance depot, Southeasterns fleet engineers will be able to use the system to analyse fault data, to identify maintenance actions and failure trends, and, in the event of a failure, the fleet engineer can connect to a train to assist the driver.

The Alstom team based in the traction systems, parts and logistics site in Preston, will equip three trains for trial operation by November 2010, with full fleet installation starting in January 2011. Additionally, the project includes an annual service contract until 2014, providing a helpdesk, data centre and support for the analysis and reporting system.

Paul Robinson, Managing Director of Alstom Transport UK and Ireland, said: Designed with maintainers in mind, Traintracer provides an effective means to obtain and analyse performance data from trains in real time and help drive up train reliability.  Traintracer technology will bring significant benefits to Southeasterns operations.
 
Alstoms Traintracer technology is also used on Virgin Trains Class 390 Pendolino trains, First Capital Connect Class 319 trains, Southern Class 456 trains and Northern line tube trainsthereby representing a total of 268 trains in the UK. It  has recently gone into service on SNCFs diesel locomotives in France and is  included in a recent contract for maintenance 135 suburban trains in the greater Stockholm area in Sweden.
 
Notes to the Editor
Alstoms Traintracer connects into the Train Control & Management System (TCMS) and Traction Control racks of modern trains, and uses a networked data capture system to capture data channels from vehicle control wires, sensors and transducers on older trains; train location is determined by an onboard GPS receiver. Wireless 3G communications are used to send train location, faults and data channels continuously from the train to the off-train data analysis and reporting system, from which maintenance engineers can analyse the train data to identify maintenance actions and reliability improvements.

Benefits of Traintracer:

• Plans maintenance interventions before the trains return to the maintenance depot so that materials and labour are ready
•  Reduces the number of repeat failures by data driven troubleshooting
•  Identifies infrastructure issues that are causing train failures
•  Improves reliability by reviewing long-term failure trends
•  Support for the driver to find a fault and get the train moving again when a service failure occurs

About Alstom Transport
A promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom Transport develops and markets the most complete range of systems, equipment and services in the railway sector. Alstom Transport manages entire transport systems, taking in rolling stock, signalling and infrastructure, and offers turnkey solutions. Alstom Transport recorded sales of 5.8 billion euros in the fiscal year 2009-2010. Alstom Transport is present in over 60 countries and employs some 27,000 people.

Press contact
Helen Connolly (Transport)
Phone . 01788 545602
www.transport.alstom.com