Wilton based company Wallgate Ltd successfully supplied 29 bespoke handwash units in disabled access toilets on South West Trains class 458 rolling stock.

It was an extremely challenging assignment and required the company going back to the start with the design of their products in order to comply with the very different approvals required for the railway industry, such as vibration testing, not normally required for static machines.

Danny Berry, South West Trains Depot Manager, said: "The Wallgate unit is currently being fitted to our 458 fleet and feedback so far suggests it's a winner with both customers and maintenance teams. It is both reliable in service and is user friendly."

The company based in Crow Lane, Wilton, supplied international rail consultancy Interfleet Technology.

Interfleet turned the original concept-design into a working production design, compliant with all applicable railway standards and managed the fitment of the disabled access toilets, including the CMEc11 handwasher/driers and vanity units, into the train carriages at their Bournemouth depot.

The carriages were built in the late 1990’s and are being refurbished on a rolling basis in anticipation of the 2010 UK Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR), which also brings them into compliance with the 2020 European Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI). The old toilets were not compliant in these areas.

Chris Baker, Interfleet Account Manager said "Interfleet have guided Wallgate through the design and approvals process allowing Wallgate to produce a fully production ready plug and play unit, that is compliant for the UK rail market. Throughout the process, Wallgate have worked well with Interfleet."

The new units are impact resistant, highly durable, and ideal for the train carriages. The train operator will benefit from the units because soap, water and air are controlled and the unit is recessed so saving on space and creating more room for disabled passengers.

Alex White, Operations Director for Porterbrook Leasing (who own the trains) said “The compact nature of the Wallgate wash unit helped Porterbrook to develop the space used in the toilet area on the Class 458 Fleet.

Ultimately, through Atkins our design partners for the work, the toilet arrangement on the fleet was adapted to deliver RVAR compliance in a cost efficient manner.”

In the UK there will be staggered dates for RVAR compliance leading up to 2020 and there will be some degree of flexibility for trains coming to the end of their effective life; trains can be prepared early to meet these RVAR standards.

1300 new trains (with various numbers of carriages) will also be needed in the UK over the next few years. There will be a high level of output required and Wallgate are looking forward to rising to the challenge.