Jaye Dry

Said the following about Freightliner CAF Project Team:

“The key to the success of the Rail industry is teamwork, and a fine example of this done brilliantly is the work carried out by the Freightliner project team working with our customer, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) of Spain.

The project to undertake testing and commissioning of MK5a push pull stock and Class 397 Electric multiple units for the First TransPennine Express (FTPE) franchise began in July 2018. With less than six weeks’ notice period from agreeing partnership, Freightliner train drivers were dispatched to Czechia for training on the new trains on the Czechoslovakian rail test circuit at Velim at 100mph. Back in the UK they were also trained on the new Class 68 locomotive which is on lease to TPE for the MK5a Push Pull trains.

The trains were also tested in the UK in the North West and Midlands as well as being taken by Freightliner onto the FTPE commercial routes for tests related to platform positioning, depot and other pertinent checks required prior to the trains entering service. The project was revolutionary in its introduction of new trains with no yellow front ends (new operating standard change) into the UK mainline.

Throughout this exciting, and at times challenging, project the team have shown dedication and a willingness to ‘get stuck in’ to ensure success.

Since the project commenced:

• Drivers / Managers have attended duty with unparallel levels of flexibility with often short-notice and frequent changes to assist CAF in setting up the testing programme.

• Drivers / Managers have supported CAF and TPE in testing trains through various scenarios that allowed their acceptance into traffic.

• Drivers / Managers have supported TPE with getting competency / handling of TPE managers on new trains to allow cascade of knowledge onto TPE staff.

The team’s flexibility and willingness to adapt was key when a second period of testing in Czechia was required on the Class 397 EMU fleet. This was also undertaken using some of the existing team and some new staff at 125mph.

Testing always comes with plan changes and challenges for delivery. Despite this, Freightliner has delivered a safe and reliable operation throughout and now almost 15 months into the test programme, the team’s passion and commitment has not waivered.

In summary, we are grateful for the continued dedication the team involved has demonstrated, being flexible week-in-week-out to change their own plans to work around the demands of the project, especially when we consider the fact that many in the team are salaried and thus don’t get paid for overtime and shift allowances.

Most of the team are based in Crewe but there are supporting roles in Ferrybridge, Mossend, London…all over the country – a true team effort which has given excellent results in terms of reputation in the market.“