Scope
Description
Following the publication of the RAIB report into the Salisbury Tunnel Junction collision of October 2021 and a further collision in October 2024, where two Cl. 158 TfW units collided on the
Cambrian line, Northern has begun to assess the case for installation of variable rate sanding (VRS) on the class 158 fleet.
VRS systems apply sand to the railhead at a rate proportional to train speed maintaining the optimum 7.5g of sand per metre of rail, improving the wheel/rail interface adhesion far more than
current SFRS systems. VRS has demonstrated that safe train stopping distances can be achieved irrespective of the railhead adhesion.
Northern's 158 fleet consists of 53 units (Eight of these are three car units and 45 of these are two car units).
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2027
- 2 years
Main category
Services
CPV classifications
- 50220000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to railways and other equipment
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
23 May 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Contracting authority
NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED
- Companies House: 03076444
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZCJ-2164-HJQZ
George Stephenson House
York
YO1 6JT
United Kingdom
Region: UKE21 - York
Organisation type: Public authority - central government