Accidental spillages at rail filling stations and other associated facilities cause enormous harm to the environment; they can also pose long term health hazards and possible damage to the railway infrastructure. In addition to the effect of spill and contamination, the costs and reputation caused by such spills can be very expensive and in some cases, irrecoverable.
Even when utmost care and attention is taken, accidental spills can still occur and these effects, coupled with the general leakage from rolling stock can be very difficult to overcome.
Track Pan is the Solution
Working with one of Network Rail’s principal contractor system installers – Cairn Cross Civil Engineering – Unipart Rail has designed and developed a solution to this long-standing problem. The Unipart Rail ‘Trackpan’ system is considered the best available technology offering protection from spills by collecting fluids and then transferring to proper waste treatment systems.
All assembly hardware is supplied, and the pans simply bolt down to the existing railway sleepers. It can be put into service within a few hours of delivery and, if necessary, can be relocated to another location if depot operations change. Each unit is manufactured to exacting standards, providing the maximum self-containing capacity whilst maintaining railway clearance standards. As it is a modular system additional sections can be easily added or reconfigured and, if design mean that only damaged sections need to be replaced.
Installations on descending gradients are undertaken due to the adjustable mounting feet design. Installations about curves are not a problem with all pan sections fitting simply around all possible track curvatures with very little modifications required. There is no effect on rail joints and the system allows quick access to the ballast and infrastructure beneath the pan, therefore not affecting the pan,
therefore not affecting track inspection procedures.
Benefits of the Unipart Rail Track Pan System are:
Durable Construction
The heavy duty GRP construction offers excellent protection from impact damage, and the pan system will not dent, deform pr crack like alternative steel and concrete constructions. The GRP also eliminates the problem of corrosion associated with many alternatives.
Excellent Protection and from spills and contamination
The Track Pan system fully encompasses the whole area between and adjacent to the rails, therefore capturing all spills and leaks from both the rolling stock and fluid carry off. The whole Track Pan is sealed against the rails preventing any possibility of leakage to ground from the pan itself.
TrackPan has a large capacity for holding fluid within, in addition to the incorporated drain, therefore
providing an effective buffer in the case of large spills or heavy rainfall.
Inexpensive
Due to the system design and the engineered materials used, the unit cost is inexpensive in comparison to traditional concrete and steel solutions. Labour costs compared with traditional solutions are also much lower.
Easy to install
Due to the modular design installation is very simple and extremely quick. No specialist tooling is required and depot down time is greatly reduced due to the no setting time being required.
Low Maintenance
The GRP construction makes the system very robust, reducing wear and maintenance. The built-in drainage points also remove the necessity for pumping and/or manual drainage.
No disturbance to track during installation
The system is designed to be installed without having to disturb the tracks. Built into the pan is the ability to remove easily and inspect the system. The track pan also removes the necessity for clear acrylic windows to be installed within the pan for inspection, which historically glaze very quickly in situ and render themselves useless.
Safety
Reduces risk of slipping. Incorporated into the design is a removable grated walkway which prevents the build-up of fluids and oils, greatly reducing the risk of slips and falls - one of the biggest causes of accidents within the workplace.
Built-in drainage
The system incorporates a built-in fall and drainage point to allow the pan to ‘self empty’. This prevents the possibility of over-flow and the necessity of regular maintenance pumping.
Full engineering on-site support
Unipart Rail and Cairn Cross Civil Engineering provide full on-site support including: design, installation and full project management through to operational assistance, if required.
Locations
Track Pan is installed at filling stations for diesel and gasoline, graffiti and train wash stations, loading stations for oil/chemicals and terminus stations. The system can be used with success in all areas where there is a risk of polluting the ground with chemicals, oil, diesel or contaminated water. It also complies with Network Rail standards for environmental contamination requirements.
xExcellent Protection and from spills and contamination
The Track Pan system fully encompasses the whole area between and adjacent to the rails, therefore
capturing all spills and leaks from both the rolling stock and fluid carry off. The whole Track Pan is
sealed against the rails preventing any possibility of leakage to ground from the pan itself.
Date Issued – 02/04/12
Originator – Tom Maxwell
Blog Post Document
TrackPan has a large capacity for holding fluid within, in addition to the incorporated drain, therefore
providing an effective buffer in the case of large spills or heavy rainfall.x
xExcellent Protection and from spills and contamination
The Track Pan system fully encompasses the whole area between and adjacent to the rails, therefore
capturing all spills and leaks from both the rolling stock and fluid carry off. The whole Track Pan is
sealed against the rails preventing any possibility of leakage to ground from the pan itself.
Date Issued – 02/04/12
Originator – Tom Maxwell
Blog Post Document
TrackPan has a large capacity for holding fluid within, in addition to the incorporated drain, therefore
providing an effective buffer in the case of large spills or heavy rainfall.x
Click Here to download a Trackpan Flyer.