A Hampshire manufacturing company which helps makes Britain’s trains and rolling stock safer has won a new contract for its award-winning brake controller.
Barnbrook Systems Ltd is stepping up production at its headquarters in Fareham after the major order for 250 of the cutting-edge devices. This will help secure jobs and progress Barnbrook’s apprentice training programme.
Managing director Anthony Barnett and chief technology officer Andrew Barnett successfully secured the six-figure deal with rolling stock leasing specialist Angel Trains.
Now the 35-strong company will be rolling out the train braking system – which includes the handle used by drivers in cabs – for 95 engines in fleets operated by Northern Rail and ScotRail through Angel Trains.
Chief technology officer Andrew Barnett said: “This is excellent news as it is our largest order for the brake controller so far.
“We are proud to be working with Angel Trains to help improve safety, reliability, efficiency and customer service on the rail network.
“The brake controller demonstrates ongoing investment by the rail industry as it embraces new technology and change for the benefit of the public and business alike.
“The new contract also represents considerable expansion for us and is the latest in a series of recent orders as confidence in our new technology, design ability and products continues to grow.”
Angel has committed to purchase an initial 150 brake controllers and intends to procure additional devices to take orders past the 250 mark once the commercial proposals are finalised.
The contract win comes after Barnbrook’s best Farnborough International Airshow so far in July.
Chief technology officer Andrew added: “This year’s Farnborough International Airshow was our most successful in 20 years of attending. We developed many business contacts, gained valuable exposure and identified worthwhile business leads.”
Barnbrook, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, is a designer, developer and manufacturer of electronic and electro-mechanical switching devices and systems for aerospace, defence, maritime, rail and commercial industries worldwide.
It won the National Passenger Safety title at the UK Rail Industry Awards for its brake controller earlier this year.
The innovative device is replacing out of date and failing devices – some up to 30 years old – on trains to improve safety and reliability, helping companies hit punctuality targets and avoid penalties.
Barnbrook, which is based in Fareham Park Road, has already supplied East Midlands Trains with 45 devices and London Midland Trains for its Class 150 fleet.
Barnbrook unveiled a cutting-edge fuel switch to make refuelling safer and more efficient for helicopters when it attended Farnborough International Airshow for the tenth successive time this year. Managing director Anthony Barnett also met PM David Cameron and discussed the importance of SMEs in manufacturing and aerospace.
Angel Trains is one of the country’s leading train leasing specialists and rolling stock operating companies supplying such franchises as Northern Rail and ScotRail.
According to the Department for Transport’s latest figures, for 2012-2013, rail passengers made 1.5 billion journeys, travelling some 36 billion miles.
They spent £7.7 billion on fares.
Financial details of the contracts were not disclosed.
