Railway equipment modules

Bradgate works to specifications raised by rail network customers in the UK and internationally. With the rail industry heavily involved in installing new systems and upgrading AC/DC electrification, signalling and secure power supplies, we have completed a number of flagship projects for clients with varied, highly specific requirements.

The flexibility of our products means we are able to build complete solutions for virtually all applications. Our modules are all-steel fabrications with well-proven bonded-panel or fully welded construction, according to the project’s specifications. Both methods offer a very strong, rigid structure – which is essential to protect equipment during lifting and transportation, as well as at the operating site. Among the rail specifications we manufacture to meet are BR1615D, in which bonded-panel buildings are constructed in pre-finished material that requires no painting or maintenance, and the Network Rail specification 21030.

There is flexibility for customers too, as the re-locatable equipment buildings (REB) that we design and manufacture can be positioned and moved around the network as upgrade projects take shape and needs change. Bradgate REB designs include four integral lift lugs at roof level, which avoids the need for special lift frames. We have won orders for large numbers of modules from rail customers, and our flexibility in terms of supply to customers allows them to adjust their installation schedule as necessary.

The upgrading of the north-east London main line from Barking to Clacton is a major project for which we supplied 23 modules. The existing network was reinforced with more current and the renewal of 23 old brick-built substations. These were upgraded with traction-power modules for overhead lines with a much higher voltage. The old substations were left in place while Network Rail-approved Bradgate modules were located alongside, then demolished when the new equipment was hooked up. Each substation contains 22kV gas-insulated switchgear and control equipment. Modules were delivered to meet a strict programme running over 18 months.