Railway support firm expands facilities in West Midlands
A FIRM supplying support services to rail companies – including putting derailed trains back on track – has expanded its West Midlands operation.
Railway Support Services, which has its main base in Sutton Coldfield, has taken extra space in Redditch so it can store equipment which has to be available 24/7 and for use anywhere in the UK.
The move to 81 Heming Road, Washford, was completed with the help of property agents John Truslove. The firm has taken 1,648 sq ft on a three-year lease.
RSS operations manager Paul Fuller said the firm was called out on average once a week.
“Of course it’s not predictable – you can have two jobs in quick succession and then nothing for a month,” he said.
“But trains do come off the rails more often than many people think and it is our job to get them back running again.”
Redditch was chosen for the new complex as a result of its central position in the country and because a number of RSS employees live in the area.
The firm supplies specialist machinery and equipment to assist with almost every aspect of railway support and service. In particular, heavy duty jacks for lifting locomotives and wagons as well as for re-railing derailed vehicles, supply and recovery of signalling and trackwork units, plus procurement and inspections.
“Being a nationwide operator we can be anywhere, including on depots and on industrial sites as well as within the heritage railway movement,” said Fuller.
“We have worked with the Gloucestershire Warwickshire, South Devon, Swanage, Plym Valley, Swindon & Cricklade, Pontypool & Blaenavon, Bluebell and the Epping Ongar railways to name just a few.”
The company, which employs 27 people, also operates a heavy haulage division which is capable of transporting locomotives and rolling stock by road where necessary.
Ian Parker, John Truslove partner, said: “We like to think we always have the fast track to providing clients with many different types of property requirements.
“It was a pleasure to help fix up Railway Support Services with this new facility.”
