Problem Solving

As suppliers to many Network Rail Tier 1 and 2 contractors WM Plant Hire prides itself on its commitment and solution focused approach

Safety and service are central to Network Rail’s approach and their expectation of suppliers to support their work is no different with stipulations to help them ‘…sustainably to deliver world-class safety’ enabled by a ‘…collaborative, innovative, value adding relationship.’

The selection of construction equipment for current schemes across CP6 (2019-2024) and looking forward to CP7 demands careful consideration not only for sustainability and in terms of environmental credentials, but also capability of specialist plant to ensure safety and efficiency during operations.

Long reach excavator specialists, WM Plant Hire, with a wide-ranging fleet from four to 115 tonnes continue to invest to ensure that they have the capability to tackle almost every eventuality. Whilst the reach is always a major factor, access constraints usually dictate the size of the machine and so the company continues to extend its offering in this specialist market.

WM Plant Hire’s fleet includes wide track – low ground pressure long reach machines, zero-tail swing excavators that fully rotate within the width of the tracks and ‘Spider’ or ‘Walking’ excavators that can access where tracked machines are unable to go. At 14 tonnes, the largest Spider machine can work on steep slopes, in deep water and climb over obstacles such as fencing and safety barriers and has successfully completed some critical projects.

With involvement in the rail sector approaching 30 years WM Plant Hire has developed its expertise working on numerous high-profile contracts including HS1, HS2, Evergreen, Crossrail, and Hope Valley Upgrade, together with numerous emergency schemes and blockades predominantly across the south. Open communication and great working relationships with Network Rail contractors on these schemes has allowed selection of excavators with optimum reach, with resulting efficiencies in the operations undertaken. WM Plant Hire also offers experienced and dedicated long reach operators which it believes gives the customer the very best in safe and productive working.

Working closely with the equipment manufacturer on the exact machine specification ensures that safety features are enhanced wherever possible to meet the stringent requirements of rail operations.

The company offers the full range of machine control systems (height, lift, slew, envelope control) as well as additional safety features including LED lighting, 360 all vision cameras with boom and dipper cameras to maximise safety.

Working on the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade – a Joint Venture between VolkerRail, and Story Contracting, site access constraints required the use of different long reach machines. Working at the Bamford end, the larger CASE CX370 22-metre-long reach machine was fitted with the latest Network Rail approved Xwatch full envelope control system with safe load indicator. This system not only provides track lock but also records the machine operations via a data logger. Visibility is enhanced using all round vision 360 cameras fitted to the machine providing an extra level of safety. At the Dore end of the line to the east, a zero tail swing CAT 321 long reach with 16-metre reach but with the same safety features is working along a narrow corridor in a wooded area restricted by Natural England. This machine is no wider than the track width and so can travel in this confined area.

But of course, one of key safety features of the long reach excavator is the fact that operations can be carried out at a safe distance and with minimal disruption to the rail network by allowing lines to remain open.

WM Plant Hire has shown its commitment to environmental improvements across the fleet with the latest Stage V engines and low emission technology, using alternative greener fuels such as HVO and most recently exploring ways to better record their carbon footprint.

‘As part of the supply chain we remain committed to working with clients to help them achieve their net zero targets in their operations by demonstrating cleaner and more efficient operations and providing machinery with better fuel consumption and environmental credentials’ says Director Damian McGettrick. Productivity through efficiency and sustainable engineering practices are both things as a Chartered Civil Engineer and past Chairman of the ICE West Midlands region, he is keen to help deliver for his clients.

Collaboration with clients to ensure the selection of the right machinery to facilitate the most efficient operations is important. Recently working with The Spencer Group, the flagship CAT 390 long reach machine proved instrumental in piling works during the White Rose rail possession in Leeds. The 30-metre outreach was crucial in providing the capability in the working zone from the toe of the slope up to the railway at the top, operating from behind fencing and barriers. Despite significant access challenges to get such a large machine to site due to its location, the company was able to develop a solution to deliver the machine in parts for reassembly on site. This ‘can do’ approach ensured these important works went ahead meeting stringent timescales.

Rail embankment sites often face real challenges with access constraints. Innovative approaches using machines within the WM fleet have improved efficiencies in embankment schemes by overcoming some of these problems. Where tracked long reach options are just not an option the ‘Spider’ machine comes into its own. With the capability to work directly on steep slopes up to 35-degrees, the machine was able to help support a drainage culvert repair in Wales at a remote site in Llanbrynmair with CML.

Fitted with a tilt-rotate unit the machine was able to place rock at any angle required, a feature also extremely useful for grading operations. In Highbridge working with Scour Protection Ltd, the same machine was instrumental in enabling the completion of a scheme to protect a critical Network Rail bridge from scour by the River Brue. Capable of working in depths of water up to two metres using its independent legs and floatation tyres to climb and manoeuvre over the rocky, clay ground it was able to help position the scour mats easily.

‘Any normal machine would get stuck, but the Spider made light work of this!’ said Scour Protection Director Chris Drake.

Due to seasonal heavy rain the embankments along the Sussex route and Kent routes continue to be impacted by landslips.

Network Rail has been working hard to tackle this with WM Plant specialist long reach machines mobilised to assist numerous emergency schemes. As part of the Sussex route Edenbridge emergency works the remit was a king post wall renewal at both crest and toe of the embankment made challenging by having a gas main and HV at the toe, as well as embankment remediation. The impressive 18.5-metre reach provided by the CASE CX250 was able to support these remediation works and allow operations to be completed at a safer distance.

At Wadhurst in Kent Network Rails Principal Contractor responded to an emergency works call in in the early hours of the morning while no trains were running; WM Plant Hire mobilising quickly to support their installation of a toe retention ballast bag wall using a 17-metre CASE CX210.

Ensuring customers benefit from new innovations and investment is particularly important to this family business. With its passion and dedication, the company actively seeks feedback from clients to ensure investment reflects customer needs. Most recently they have been looking to improve efficiency and widen the applications of their specialist equipment. Recognising limitations of available equipment and the need for ever more specialist machinery to minimise manual handling, WM Plant Hire plans to keep pushing the boundaries and further develop its offering to customers with more extreme versions of the current kit and dedicated attachments.

For more information, get in touch via the contact information below.

Tel: 01746 769555

Email: info@wmplanthire.com

Visit: wmplanthire.com