Overhead Cranes Build Next Generation London Overground Trains

Street Crane Company is playing a vital role at Bombardier’s Derby factory in the building of new trains to revitalise the capital’s commuter services. Two new overhead cranes from Street are used in the final assembly of new Electrostar overground trains programme, contributing to the safety and productivity of the production operations.

“Bombardier’s demanding brief required advanced factory cranes to ensure safe, continuous and flexible working in an intensive 24/7 production environment,” explained Street Crane sales director Gus Zona. Two identical cranes of 20 tonne safe working load have been installed. Twin ZX series ten-tonne hoists are fitted to both cranes, for maximum flexibility. The cranes can be used independently during the assembly of the carriages, but are designed for tandem operation when lifting and moving complete vehicle bodies.

All travel motions are under inverter control. This ensures safe acceleration and deceleration, load stability and provides precision low speed final placement. The cranes can transport loads at speeds of 40 metres/min in long travel down the 180 metre long workshop. Cross travel speeds of 20 metres per minute can be obtained and hoist speeds of up to four metres/min.

Audible alarms warn of crane advance as they move up the workshop. Anti collision devices provide an additional safeguard when the two cranes are operated independently. For tandem crane lifts and transportation a unified radio-based control system is used to ensure the complete synchronisation of all movements.

Many of the Bombardier Electrostar trains have already been delivered and will service the London Overground to the north and east of the capital. Bombardier’s Derby factory is working a three shift system to complete the order.