Project Overview:
The UK's southern suburban train network is one of the busiest in Europe with more than 220 million journeys made on South West Trains every year. Capacity on the busy Waterloo to Windsor, Hounslow Loop and Weybridge route has been increased by introducing longer, 10-car trains named Class 458/5, configured from existing Class 458 and 460. The £42million scheme required a programme of significant mechanical modification and interior refurbishment. The client needed to source a range of colours to match corporate livery and, importantly, to provide an anti-graffiti finish. Removing graffiti from train interiors is a costly exercise. Often the underlying paint becomes damaged and entire fabrications have to be re-coated, wasting time and money.
On Board Support from Start to Finish:
Powdertech (Corby) Ltd was involved from the very start of the project, working closely with the powder manufacturer AkzoNobel to source a range of colours to match the corporate livery required, and in an anti-graffiti formulation. Ceiling and infill panels, control boxes, seat trims and luggage racks all needed anti-graffiti coatings in corporate colours. Anti-graffiti (AG or EC) coatings are formulated with very low porosity reinforced polyurethane which provides a surface finish resistant to chemicals and solvents including inks, paints, aerosols, marker pens and stains. Graffiti can be wiped off the surface using one of the many suitable cleaning agents available.
Technical expertise was a necessity and Alstom, the manufacturer of the original trains, carried out two quality control compliance audits at Powdertech's plant during the progress of the project. Powdertech Corby's plant has the capacity to handle large batches as well as the one-off extra pieces inevitably required at the end of a project.
Benefits:
- The anti-graffiti powders are high performance coatings with life-long resistance against solvent and aggressive agents and compliant with smoke emission, toxic fume emission, flame spread and heat release requirements with reference to: Smoke emission: BS6853:5.2 Toxic fume emission: L.U.L standard 2-01001-002. Flame spread: BS476 Part 7. Class 1 pass. Heat release: BS476 Part 6. Pass.
- Graffiti removal is straightforward and the surface is not harmed or discoloured.
- Anti-graffiti powders are a one coat system
- Available in a wide range of colours in satin finishes.
- Powdertech Corby manages the logistics of the process ensuring that the correct batches are delivered in sequence.
