The Covid pandemic caused a delay of almost a year in the delivery and commissioning of two new K40, 3½ tonne locomotives (AK107/20 and AK108/20) supplied to an industrial site near Rawalpindi in Pakistan. The locomotives are identical and incorporate the well-proven Perkins engine and JCB transmission driveline.

Robust testing

The pictures here show the locomotives on site in Pakistan but also during their rigorous testing procedure prior to despatch, which was overseen by a technical liaison officer from the Pakistan High Commission in London.

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Maintained by the National Trust as part of the iconic St Michael's Mount, there is little detailed historic information about this unusual tramway that climbs out of sight from the bottom of the Mount to the main house.

Designed to haul loads of upto 1-ton up the steep sides of the mount, the tramway's gentle initial gradient quickly changes to a far more challenging 1:1.5. We were called in to undertake a detailed inspection of the condition of the track and 'Dreckly Express' wagon, prior to essential maintenance work required to ensure its continued safe operation.

Providing a reliable and low environmental impact mode of transport for the Mount, loads are sent up and down several times every day. Work on the tramway is carefully planned to ensure that this service has minimal impact on these day-to-day operations. Following the survey, a general track overhaul has been planned along with maintenance work to the 'Dreckly Express'.

It is thought that this was the first survey of the tramway and, for Patrick personally, was a fascinating insight into the original construction and the old redundant machinery that is still in situ, as well as a chance to collate much unknown technical data on the tramway overall. And whilst we didn't see much of it whilst underground - the sun shone all day!

The extreme conditions at the cliff side railway of the New Jersey Waterworks called for galvanised track to be specified, manufactured and installed by our experienced track installation team.

The complete track system was laid out, curved and final adjustments made, and then taken apart and galvanised, before being shipped and re-assembled on site in Jersey.

The railway is used to move essential equipment up and down the cliff and provides a safe and easily operated system for the maintenance teams working on the desalination plant pumps at the foot of the incline.

A huge amount of building materials was transported into the church throughout this project, much of the heavier materials lifted onto the railway wagons first before being manually pushed into position.

This project was part of the relocation of Aylesbury Canal Basin and incorporated supply and installation of galvanised track and the provision of a bespoke trolley.

We worked closely with our winch contractors to be able to offer our customer a complete solution for their requirements.

Alan Keef Ltd installed the track and supplied suitable wagons, making further adjustments and additions once the original concept had been proven.

Battery-electric and fully flame-proofed, two powered railcars, an unpowered manrider and a wagon, are used on this 5ft gauge railway. The combination of the heat, high humidity, significant length (5km) and the coastal location all contribute to making this a most challenging environment.

We've worked in many underground projects but the damp conditions experienced at this location created a particularly challenging environment for our track installation team, but they smiled throughout and the railway was soon operational and carrying the huge slabs of stone out of the quarry.

Hereford based Painter Bros Ltd, specialist steel fabricators and erectors, have long used a 2ft gauge railway within their works to move steel sections. We have fully reconditioned two Clayton battery-electric locomotives to match their specific operating requirements.

A railway all at sea!

One of our most unique railway installations has been for Global Marine Ltd. A locomotive, specialist wagons and track were provided on board one of their vessels to handle the movement of materials as part of a specialist salvage operation in the Atlantic.

We have enjoyed a long working relationship with the railway and have been involved with many aspects of its operation including rebuilding locomotives 'John Rennie' and 'Bayhurst'.

Undertaken in two stages, the carriages incorporate the railways unique centre less bogie design and special couplers.

Most recently, a pair of high-capacity bogies wagons have been designed and built. Capable of carrying four-tonnes of bagged ballast, or equivalent loading, seen here in the form of mini excavator - an impressive achievement for a 12" gauge railway!

Suitable for carrying both passengers and materials, we undertake the design and construction of funicular railways, working hand-in-hand with other specialists in the equipment required, particularly for the winch gear, to ensure they operate safely. Whilst overcoming problems for many sites, funicular railways require considerable investment, particularly when carrying passengers, both at the design stage in establishing underlying ground conditions, and during the construction phase for both the track and rolling stock.

Inspection as well as build

Over the years we've been involved in the building of these type of railways and our specialist knowledge has been called on for inspections too.

Shown here a just a few of those we've either designed and built or have recently inspected.