Woodward Group was appointed by longstanding client Mechan to support the electrical installation of a new set of 20 lifting jacks at a rail maintenance facility in Bletchley.

These jacks work in unison to lift full train carriages, allowing engineers safe and efficient access within the maintenance pit.

The project formed part of a broader effort to enhance maintenance capabilities for West Midlands Trains, providing additional capacity at this key location.

Scope of works

Woodward Group’s electrical division was responsible for delivering the full power and control infrastructure required to support the new lifting jacks. Key aspects of the installation included:

• Running 400V power and control cabling to 20 individual jacks
• Cabling routed via dedicated master and slave control panels to ensure synchronised operation
• Installation of a network Modbus cable system, linking all 20 socket boxes through the master control panel

This setup ensures precise, centralised control of the lifting system and seamless integration with the wider maintenance facility.

Outcome

Our works enabled the successful commissioning of the new lifting jacks, which are now fully operational and in daily use by West Midlands Trains. The additional maintenance pit has also expanded the depot’s capacity, supporting improved fleet turnaround times as well as servicing flexibility.

Woodward Group continues to support Mechan with its electrical installation needs. This project is a continuation of our strong relationship with Mechan’s team and reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, sector-specific electrical solutions.