Provision of Trackside Rail Friction Management Systems and Maintenance

Background

The Public Transport Authority (PTA) currently use and maintain 45 trackside Rail Friction Management Systems (Friction Units) including gauge face lubricators and top of rail friction modifiers. In addition, the PTA utilise gauge face rail greasers mounted to rolling stock which apply grease to curves below a set radius.

The Friction Units are used to reduce:

• Noise issues (wheel squeal and flanging noise);

• Wheel and rail wear;

• Lateral forces;
• The propensity for corrugation development; and
• Flange climb derailment risk.

A number of the units have reached end of life and require replacement and further units are required for the expanding rail network.

As such the N&I Track Branch is seeking to engage a Contractor to provide maintenance services for existing Friction Units as well as supplying new systems (including spare parts and consumables). The aim of the contract is to increase the longevity and quality of PTA’s Friction Units by improving maintenance and replacing end of life components and units.

Scope of Services

A summary of services required under this scope include:

Supply of Friction Units:

1. Supply complete Friction Units (this may include the Contractor providing a visual inspection of existing Friction Units); and
2. Supply spare parts and consumables products for use in new and existing Friction Units. Supply of spare parts and consumable products for existing Friction Units are to be to the manufacturer’s specifications and PTA’s approval.

Maintenance Services:

1. Preventive maintenance and detailed inspections of the Friction Units;
2. Replacement and/or Refurbishment of components;
3. Site remediation as required and management of system settings; and
4. Installation of new Friction Units.

This requires the Contractor to provide qualified and suitably experienced personnel to:

• Provide end of life replacements of the Friction Units, spare components and consumables for existing and new systems; and
• Provide preventative maintenance, detailed inspections, corrective maintenance, site remediation as required, management of systems settings and reporting on system performance.