Making tracks in energy efficient heating

The facility has provided a service to London and its southern arterial rail system through two world wars, the steam days, nationalisation, electrification and privatisation.  Having stabled the Royal Train, one of the depots main uses today is for the maintenance of the prestigious Belmond British Pullman, sister train to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.  

After the installation of a Nor-Ray-Vac system in the high bay and main locomotive shed at Belmond British Pullman 28 years ago, the system now needed to be replaced. Belmond British Pullman approached Multigas and asked them to assist with the replacement of the existing and also an additional two areas that were previously unheated.

Entrance and exit doors often occupy the full width of the building and may be left open for many hours a day. When doors are open at both ends, a wind tunnel effect is created and cold air at high velocity is drawn into the shed.  Keeping the shed warm enough for employees to work comfortably is compounded by the often north-south alignment of the tracks, which allows very little sunshine to warm the interior. 

AmbiRad were able to offer the ideal and most effective, economic heating solution. Blanket heat coverage was not a necessity in the rail shed as only the areas where personnel are working needed to be heated. When operatives are working on one part of the train, zoning enables all other parts of the radiant heating system to be switched off. Over time this produces considerable fuel economies and cost reductions.

Economy and effectiveness were the two key criteria specified to be answered when selecting the heating system for the rail maintenance shed. Finding a solution to both in a single heating system can be challenging. One form of space heating technology, ideally suited to this cold and inhospitable working environment is the Nor-Ray-Vac radiant tube heating system.

AmbiRad replaced the old system with the latest Nor-Ray-Vac system which was happily received by the client due to the past financial benefits of this type of heating system within a train depot environment.

The Nor-Ray-Vac system combusts the fuel at the point of use enabling maximum efficiency with no distribution losses and has rapid response to changed conditions.  It is uniquely designed to accommodate the building constraints and required zoning for the method of working within the shed. The flexibility of the radiant heating system meant that specific areas can be heated as required by the work patterns within the shed, keeping staff warm.

The client employed the services of Multigas to undertake the complete new and replacement works. Belmond British Pullman now benefits from a radiant heating system capable of maintaining the depot at a comfortable environment well into the late 2030s.