Fastline wins Network Rail contract to run LNE Stoneblowers

The contract win consolidates Fastline’s Stoneblower operations on the LNE and provides solid, two-year income of £1.6 million per annum (with the possibility of further one year extensions). The contract complements the multi-million pound on-track machine (OTM) contract signed with Network Rail at the end of 2005.

Fastline Managing Director Mike Houghton said: “We are delighted that Network Rail has awarded Fastline a proportion of the national Stoneblower contract.

“Fastline has extensive experience and expertise in reliably and safely operating and managing Stoneblowers on the rail infrastructure, as well as all other types of OTM machinery.

“We are committed to helping Network Rail meet its cost-saving targets while at the same time delivering the safest and most effective services and solutions.”

Work on the contract starts this month, with Fastline operating Stoneblowers on the Great Northern and North Eastern lines, and by June on the East Midlands line. Fastline will also manage a fourth Stoneblower, which will float between the Midlands and North Eastern lines.

Stoneblowers are used to maintain track levels, where conventional tamping is not a suitable approach. After measuring the track level, Stoneblowers automatically fill any dips in the ballast bed with the appropriate amount of small stones, creating a level surface for the sleepers to sit upon.

The three-year national OTM contract announced in December 2005, for tampers, regulators and dynamic track stabilisers, amounts to £22 million per annum. Work on the OTM contract begins this month (April).

Fastline Ltd is a subsidiary of Jarvis plc, and has four separate business divisions – OTM, small plant, freight and transport solutions. In OTM, Fastline supplies, operates and maintains track machinery and renewals trains. Together with sister company Jarvis Rail, Fastline has a strong record in innovation having developed and introduced new technology such as the Mole, Slinger and the Accutrack methodology for track renewals, and the Super Tamper.

For more information contact Diane Mangan on 01904 713032 or diane.mangan@jarvis-uk.com


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