Our initial apprehension on being advised our tour of Northam Traincare at Southampton could not be until (as late as) 3pm was very soon allayed by first having the chance to sample the “Platform Tavern” on Town Quay for sustenance and second, after walking over to Northam, being admirably taken care of by Production Service Manager, Eddie Milligan, and both put at ease initially over a coffee in the canteen then effortlessly advised of the myriad systems in use for train maintenance.
Things have certainly changed in this field but so much “unit” (i.e. module) replacement is done that after say 10 years a train will barely be its original self. Of particular note were the (in-situ) wheel-turning lathes but also the bogie drop device with a travolator under the tracks. Somewhat amazingly (or is it?) – a train can be interrogated at a distance, on the move or wherever, by GPS based equipment to “discuss” any faults – and required palliative measures.
We are most grateful to Siemens Transport Systems and Eddie Milligan in particular for his time and extensive explanations.