Raising rail passenger experience through refurbishment

As rail operators invest in extending the life of existing fleets, operators expect refurbishment programmes to deliver visible and tangible improvements in terms of passenger travel experience, and operational efficiency. There are also higher passenger expectations to meet: today's travellers are looking for a premium rail journey experience that offers convenience, comfort and safety.

While many operators may think of refurbishment as a full overhaul of train carriages, small, targeted interior and exterior upgrades can make a disproportionate difference to how renovated trains are experienced without substantially increasing downtime, cost or maintenance burden.

Premium travel experience

Seating is one of the most impactful areas for enhancing a passenger's travel experience. Improving the functionality and usability of tray and seat tables, arm and headrests, display mounts and even coat hooks, through refurbishment, augments user convenience and comfort.

Take, for example, fold-out tray and seat tables. In many trains, face-to-face seating arrangements include a fixed central table. Both the seats and tables are rigidly mounted, so the only way to adjust the table's position is through 180-degree folding flaps. These allow the table surface to move closer to a passenger when seated and fold away again for easier access when standing up. However, such table flaps can feel flimsy or might become unstable over time, and then simply fall into a passenger's lap which is a nuisance as much as a potential safety hazard.

A simple upgrade using, for example, Southco's AH-Bifold Constant Torque Hinges incorporates friction technology that allows the flap to be held in position at any angle and prevents it from falling open. Constructed of robust materials, it delivers reliable performance and enhanced safety, with controlled motion preventing trapped fingers, and flush design eliminating pinch points along the joint. This simple hinge upgrade, suitable for table units as well as back seat tray tables, creates a more robust, premium user feel and improves durability and longevity.

Adding display mounts to rail seating is another impactful way to enhance the travel experience. Today, most rail passengers carry mobile devices with them, so making it easy and convenient for passengers to use these devices while on the move should be at the forefront of any rail carriage refurbishment project.

Providing, for example, the ability to securely place a mobile device in a holder can make a journey more comfortable and enjoyable. Specifically designed for this purpose, Southco has developed a display mounting solution that allows a mobile device to be simply clicked in and securely held in place. The clipping mechanism has been designed to adapt to different sizes of mobile devices, from hand-held phones to tablets. As with all monitor mounts offered by Southco, this solution delivers dependable support and versatile positioning options to suit end-user needs and enhance the viewing experience.

Streamlining maintenance processes

Equipment alterations not only pose a great opportunity to enhance the travel comfort for passengers but also hold the valuable potential to simplify and speed-up maintenance procedures.

Take, for example, the regular need to replace seat covers. A seemingly simple task becomes a time-consuming and costly undertaking if the process of replacing seat covers requires the removal of entire seat structures, which are traditionally bolted to the floor. The support of rail technicians, in addition to maintenance staff, becomes unavoidable which is a strain on resources, time and cost. Changing the installation mode of rail seats during rail refurbishment can alleviate that strain. Employing quick-release, push-to-close latching mechanisms to easily remove and reposition rail carriage seats can eliminate the need for technicians' involvement and enable maintenance staff to carry out the entire process by themselves.

Southco's robust R4 Rotary Latch Systems are ideally suited for such an application, combining rotary-action security, quick-release functionality and push-to-close convenience. The latching solution's compact design provides concealed operation, while tolerating misalignment on closing, engaging easily with low closing force, and latching firmly with a snug, secure fit. The system can be actuated through a hidden pin hole which prevents the latching mechanism from either being accidentally released or becoming a target for vandalism.

Complying with safety needs

The longevity of trains can make it challenging for operators to ensure that the train structure and all related equipment is kept up to date with the most recent industry compliance regulations and safety requirements. OEMs and train operators who can demonstrate that during refurbishment they are able to easily bring equipment in line with industry standards will have a competitive edge.

Southco's E3 VISE ACTION Compression Latches have, for decades, not only been a leading product in the rail market when it comes to reliable and vibration-resistant panel closure, but this product class has also substantially evolved over the years in response to changing industry standards and increasing demands for enhanced security.

Southco offers a range of compression latch solutions in zinc steel, aluminium and stainless steel that have all been extensively tested against the EN 45545 European standard, which governs fire protection on railway vehicles. Southco's E3 VISE ACTION Compression Latches demonstrate outstanding fire resistance performance. The aluminium version is rated E30, meeting requirements for high-risk onboard areas, while the stainless-steel versions achieve an E60 rating, meaning they can maintain the structural integrity of a fire barrier, such as an onboard enclosure door, for at least 60 minutes during a fire.

What makes these latches a perfect solution for refurbishment upgrades is that, in many cases, these fire-resistant latches can be simple drop-in replacements for latches in-situ.

Another evolution Southco's E3 VISE ACTION Compression Latches has undergone has been in response to growing concerns around secure panel closure. As the speed of trains has surged over the past decade, potential serious hazards arising from exterior panels that have not been closed securely have become more imminent. Southco offers several compression latch solutions that provide a clear visual indicator to ensure panels are properly secured.

One latch type deploys reflective wings when opened and will only retract when the latch is fully secure. Another type uses a bi-stable cover which will pop open and stay visibly open as long as the product is unlatched. Like Southco's range of fire-resistant latches these compression latches within the Make Safety Visible by Southco product range can be deployed as simple drop-in replacement for existing latches, allowing for a simple, but highly impactful refurbishment upgrade.

Positioned for the future

Rail refurbishment offers impactful opportunities to introduce adaptable, modular product solutions that improve the rail journey experience by enhancing passenger comfort, streamlining maintenance procedures and driving operational safety and security.

By making small, targeted changes to rail applications on a component level, rail operators can make their service offering more competitive and help ensure rail keeps pace with rising expectations.