In pursuit of operational excellence, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) sought to standardise maintenance practices across all their locations. However, a key challenge arose: there was a gap in one of their railyards where directional changes for railcar movers were limited by space and safety constraints. To address this issue, BART collaborated with Railquip and Australian Turntables to custom design and implement the Heavy duty Locomotive turntable, a tailored solution designed to meet their precise operational needs.
A tailored solution for BART’s maintenance needs
BART’s goal was to achieve uniform maintenance practices across multiple locations, yet one railyard presented a unique challenge. In this yard, there was no effective solution for quickly and safely changing the direction of railcar movers, resulting in inefficiencies and increased risk. Working closely with BART’s engineering team, our team provided a comprehensive quotation and specification review for an automated turntable solution tailored to BART’s requirements, with features that ensured ease of maintenance and easy availability of spare parts.
Our Locomotive Turntable was selected for its ability to facilitate seamless directional changes without complex maneuvers, making it the ideal fit for BART’s operational demands.
Key features of our Locomotive turntable
The turntable’s notable features include:
- 72-foot span (21.95 meters) and 50-ton capacity (45.36 metric tons)
With a substantial 72-foot diameter (21.95 meters), the railcar turntable accommodates large railcars, supporting up to 50 tons (45.36 metric tons). This robust capacity ensures that BART can manage even the heaviest railcars in their fleet with confidence and ease. - Automated alignment and safety sensors
Equipped with advanced sensors, the turntable features automated wheel chocks that extend when the railcar is centered, ensuring precise alignment every time. This automation not only improves accuracy but also enhances safety by reducing manual adjustments. - Effortless 180-degree rotation
At the push of a button, the turntable performs a smooth 180-degree rotation, designed to operate with flexible programmable positioning for multi-point exits. As it rotates, the locking actuator retracts, allowing for seamless movement. Once the rotation is complete, the locking actuator extends, aligning the rails, while retractable wheel chocks disengage, readying the railcar for release. - Gravity-assisted departure
Designed with a 1-degree slope, the turntable facilitates gravity-assisted departures. This slight incline allows railcars to roll off smoothly as brakes are released, creating a controlled exit that reduces the strain on braking systems and enhances operational flow.
Results achieved
The deployment of the turntable, facilitated by Railquip and Australian Turntables, delivered measurable improvements to BART’s maintenance operations:
- Increased productivity: The turntable streamlined direction changes, allowing BART to reduce maintenance cycle times and respond to breakdowns faster.
- Minimised downtime: By eliminating the need for complex maneuvers, BART minimised operational delays, significantly reducing downtime across their maintenance facilities.
Enhanced safety: With automated alignment and precise rotation features, the turntable created a safer environment for operators, reducing the risk of accidents and equipment damage.
Ready to see how turntables can transform your operations? Contact us today to learn more about this innovative solution and its potential impact on your facility.
