The challenge
Since 2012, Houghton International has been responsible for the ongoing maintenance and overhaul of traction motors for Pullman Rail, carrying out Brush EE507 traction motor overhauls and repairs for Southern and SouthWest trains Class 455 vehicles.
Houghton International had previously been responsible for maintenance and overhaul of the traction motors of the Class 455 trains via Unipart, until Pullman Rail took over as the bogie overhauler. After Pullman Rail had taken over responsibility as bogie overhauler for the fleet, Porterbrook, owners of the rolling stock, facilitated the introduction to Houghton International as their preferred service provider of maintenance and overhauls.
The solution
Houghton International has handled approximately 750 Brush EE507 traction motor repairs from the start of the contract in 2010 with Unipart Rail, and now via Pullman Rail, ranging from standard overhauls to full rewinds, averaging, at its peak, 12 scheduled traction motor repairs per month as well as ad-hoc/in-service failures.
Why Houghton International
Related Services
The Results
After delivering excellent service on the Class 455 motors, Pullman Rail gave Houghton International the opportunity to tender for other work. Houghton International supported Pullman Rail’s successful bid to provide overhauls for GTR’s fleet of Class 313s in 2016, exhibiting the required skills, resources and facilities, Houghton International has now become the preferred supplier for all their traction motor repairs.
During the time Houghton International has been supporting the maintenance of SouthWest Trains’ traction motors, the Class 455 vehicles have consistently been awarded the accolade of best performing mid-life vehicle in the UK at the Golden Spanner Awards.
We have developed a great working relationship with Houghton International over the years. They have consistently delivered the contract as agreed and communication between us and the team at Houghton International has been excellent throughout. With the traction motor overhauls and maintenance repairs being carried out to an excellent standard, I would not hesitate to recommend Houghton International to others in the rail industry.
Liam Nash, Procurement Manager, Pullman Rail
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