Eversholt Rail adopts self-powered rail condition monitoring

Eversholt Rail continues to be at the forefront of bringing new technology and methodology to the management of rolling stock in the UK. After researching the market place last year for the most appropriate remote condition monitoring solution for the Class 465, Eversholt Rail selected the Perpetuum self-powered system. The Networker is the fourth train class that Eversholt Rail have deployed the Perpetuum system on, after the Bombardier Class 375 and Class 376 and the Alstom Class 334. It is also now the fourth train class that Southeastern have selected for the Perpetuum system, following the Bombardier Class 375 and Class 376 and the Alstom Class 466.

Andy Course, COO of Eversholt Rail, said: “Wheelset and bogie condition monitoring, as we are doing here with Perpetuum, is part of an ever larger Eversholt Rail policy of moving its maintenance methodology towards a data-driven and real time operation that will increase availability and reduce cost for our valued clients, like London Southeastern.”

Mark Johnson, Engineering Director of Southeastern, explained: “London Southeastern has been committed to maximising the performance of its fleets as it endeavours to deliver some of the most challenging timetables in the country”, explains. Using live information on the bogie’s true condition to inform our maintenance regime has been instrumental to this, along with building a systems approach to asset management by integrating track condition into the wheelset management decision making.”

Steve Turley, CEO of Perpetuum, commented: “We are extremely pleased to continue our collaboration with Eversholt Rail and Southeastern, helping to change the expectations of what can be achieved with existing rolling stock by using methodologies proven in other sectors.”

Powered by its innovative wireless energy harvesting micro-generators, Perpetuum’s on-board Sensor Systems produce powerful vibration and temperature data, enabling its clients to accurately view the real time health and predict the failure of rotating components on trains, such as wheel bearings, motors and gearboxes. The self-powered sensors can be fitted in less than 20 minutes, having no wires for power or communication, and without the need for special tools or the lifting of the vehicle, and its powerful algorithms can process the data in a matter of minutes.

Perpetuum’s innovative solution has already been deployed on numerous other fleets in the UK and around the world, and with over 7 000 assets under continuous monitoring in 2016 the system has now clocked up over 1 billion km in service.