Network Rail adds new Ford Transit to their fleet

Network Rail accepted the first big delivery of the new-generation Ford Transit earlier this year, consisting of three hundred 350LWB High Roof diesel vans. Transits and other Ford models have continued to be added through the year to Network Rail's fleet, one of Britain’s biggest.

“We roll out new light commercials at the rate of 2,500 a year,” says Network Rail’s Head of Fleet, Chuck Ives. The organisation, which owns and operates Britain’s rail infrastructure, is a long-time Ford customer and is pursuing an aggressive programme to keep its fleet right up to date.

Network Rail employs 32,000 people to run, maintain and develop track, the signalling system, rail bridges, tunnels, level crossings, viaducts and 17 key stations. And to enable staff to carry out that work, Chuck and his team manage a fleet of 8,000 vehicles, ranging from cars to HGVs.

The bulk of the fleet, some 6,000 units, consists of light commercials, and 50 per cent of these have been replaced in the past 18 months. As one of three preferred suppliers, Ford provides 70 per cent of the vehicles in the light van to 3.5-tonne segment, in the form of Transits and Transit Connects.

Many of the Transits are used as six- and eight-seat personnel support vans, providing a home from home for Network Rail teams. Cab and crew areas typically include M1 crash-tested seats, Status crash-tested flooring system, bulkheads and linings, water storage and boiler, hand-washing and drying facilities, soap and barrier-cream dispensers, microwave, drop-table, auxiliary power source and diesel heater.

Depending on their specialist application (Signal & Telecoms, Permanent Way, Overhead Line, Electrification, Rapid Response, Litter Picking or Ultrasonics), these Transits have variously equipped fully lined rear compartments. Typical facilities include modular racking, shelving, bins and tooling, spotlights inside and out, roof vent, explosives and flammables boxes, ladder racks, reversing sensor and 12V charging sockets.

Two- and three-seater versions of the 350 LWB High Roof Transit allow for even more spacious and well-equipped rear-section workplaces. Fitters make use of the two-seater Transits, while three-person units are variously specified as general-purpose, maintenance/level-crossing and multi-purpose fast-response vans.

Further variants on the Transit 350 theme include single- and double-cab pick-ups with tail-lift, some fitted with cranes, and 15-seat Transit 100PS crew-buses.

The Transit Connects are 200L short-wheelbase 1.8TDi vans complete with lined load space, full bulkhead and, in common with most of the vehicles in the Network Rail fleet, first aid kit and fire extinguisher.

Ford also provides the bulk of the 1,300 cars on the fleet, with air-conditioned Focus 1.8 TDCi Zetec five-door hatchback or estates supplied as company cars and 1.6 LX 90PS diesel estates for use as pool cars.

Network Rail’s vehicles are obtained on contract hire from a variety of suppliers on a four-year or 80,000-mile replacement basis.