Porterbrook’s successful Class 15X Wheel Slide Protection (WSP) system will be installed on a further 24 rail vehicles before autumn 2018.

Class 153 units operated by Abellio East Anglia, West Midlands Trains and East Midlands Trains will be fitted with the system, which reduces wheel wear and damage during the autumn leaf fall season. WSP technology has already been successfully installed on Porterbrook Class 156 units last year, operated by Abellio East Anglia and East Midlands Trains.

Porterbrook will lead and manage the £1m fitment project on behalf of its TOC customers. Equipment is being supplied by KBRS with design and integration work led by Derby-based SNC Lavalin. First in Class installation will also be carried out in Derby by Loram UK.

Neil Foster, Fleet Services Director said “We are delighted to be working with three of our TOC customers to deliver this important industry upgrade. This WSP technology will reduce delays and engineering downtime, as well as improve over-all fleet performance. This is another example of Porterbrook innovation offering tangible cost and operating benefits to our customers.”