Zonegreen complete first safety installation for rail freight sector

Credit: Zonegreen

Zonegreen, the rail safety specialist, has completed its first installation for the rail freight sector, equipping a new multi-million-pound logistics park in Northamptonshire. The Sheffield-based firm has added five powered derailers to protect a state-of-the-art rail traverser, which is critical to operations at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT).

Zonegreen was commissioned by Winvic Construction, the DIRFT III contractor, to fit derailers on all of the roads approaching the traverser. Whilst positioned here, the derailers will prevent trains rolling into the pit if the traverser rails are not in place, protecting both staff and infrastructure from unauthorised vehicle movement.

The five derailers are controlled via an operator panel situated next to the traverser, which is located outside the terminal building, at the end of 9km of new tracks. It enables freight trains to be moved in a perpendicular direction to the lines, allowing them to return to service after loading/unloading, without the need for a head shunt.

“We are honoured to be part of this highly complex and hugely significant rail scheme that will be handling hundreds of train deliveries every month,” Christian Fletcher, Technical Director for Zonegreen, said. “It is crucial in busy industrial environments that all available safety measures are put in place at the outset, as human error can have fatal consequences, and we look forward to protecting staff and infrastructure at other freight terminals in the future.”

The £29 million DIRFT III project comprises of a 344-hectare logistics park that is being constructed for Prologis, which includes a contemporary rail freight terminal. Up to 24 775-metre trains will carry freight in and out of the facility, which will also provide storage space for approximately 5000 containers.