Pendolino cleaning at Polmadie is being improved by Alstom and OCS. The work covers Avanti West Coast’s Pendolino fleet. The revised approach is intended to send trains out of the Glasgow Traincare Centre with spotless windscreens.

Pendolino windscreen cleaning improved for Avanti
Photo: Alstom

At the depot, Tim Barton has worked with Jason Stuart on the use of mobile staging. Barton is train presentation manager at Alstom. Stuart is cleaning manager at OCS. It lets cleaners get closer to the Class 390 windscreens when overhead isolation is in place.

The change addresses a problem standard methods were not fully resolving. Meanwhile, automated train washes struggle to clean the edges of windscreens completely. Still, cleaning from track level falls short because the brush cannot apply enough pressure at that distance.

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Pendolino cleaning at Polmadie for Avanti West Coast

A Pendolino set typically returns to Alstom’s Glasgow Traincare Centre in Polmadie every 56 days. That allows the enhanced clean to be repeated across the Class 390 fleet by Alstom and OCS. In addition, if the results remain positive, Alstom will look at making the task part of the routine maintenance regime.

“This is a great example of how small, practical improvements can make a real difference. By taking a closer look at the challenges our teams face day-to-day and working collaboratively with OCS, we’ve been able to introduce a relatively simple solution that delivers tangible benefits,” said Tim.

Mobile staging cleaning technique for Class 390 windscreens

Separately, the facility is about two miles south-east of Glasgow Central railway station. It is one of five sites on the West Coast Main Line where Avanti West Coast’s Pendolino fleet is maintained and cleaned. Polmadie Depot usually handles 17 trains a day. That includes around ten Alstom-built Class 390 Pendolinos. They are serviced by over 100 staff who provide a round-the-clock service.

“Triggered by inconsistent existing procedures, the team reviewed risks, refined materials and access methods, and integrated the task into maintenance schedules. Two controlled trials informed improvements, supported by staff feedback and targeted training,” said Jason.

He added: “The project has demonstrated the value of close collaboration and clear communication, resulting in a higher quality cleaning standard being rolled out fleet wide.”

Polmadie Depot within West Coast Main Line traincare centres

The Glasgow depot first opened as Polmadie Shed on 16 September 1875 under the Caledonian Railway. It was later rebuilt and extended for the maintenance of steam locomotives and rolling stock. Last year, the site marked its 150th anniversary by opening to the public for the first time in 25 years. It welcomed more than 20 rail vehicles that have been based at the depot throughout its history.

More than 500 OCS colleagues provide specialist cleaning services for Alstom across major depot locations. These include all five of Alstom’s Traincare Centres on the West Coast Main Line: Polmadie in Glasgow, Longsight in Manchester, Edge Hill in Liverpool, Oxley in Wolverhampton and Wembley in London.

The contract covers daily fleet cleans, periodic heavy cleans (PHCs), exterior hand washing, biohazard and fatality cleans, turnaround work and on-board cleaning. Also, OCS supports the Caledonian Sleeper service. It provides daily cleaning, laundry and deep cleans between London and the Scottish Highlands.

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