Media Centre

National Express helps student project to become a reality

2 Jul 2008

A group of Wymondham High School students may see their ideas turned into reality thanks to a partnership with train operator, National Express East Anglia.

The sixth form students have been working in partnership with the engineering fleet team at the train operator’s Crown Point Depot, Norwich, as part of an engineering education scheme.

The four students have worked on a project to come up with a solution to improve the reliability of the air-operated internal doors on the Mark 3 coaches which operate on mainline train services between Norwich and London Liverpool Street.

The solution involves adjustments to the operation of the doors through the development of an electrical box and replacement of relays to regulate the automatic movement of the door more consistently.

The prototype was built by the students and fitted to a replica carriage door which was developed and built by Crown Point technicians Stuart Lawler and Luke Greenfield with the intention to move towards a proper vehicle trial. National Express East Anglia Engineers, Nigel Teulon and Jason Mills, also oversaw the project.

Stuart Lawler commented, ‘The students have demonstrated a high degree of engineering initiative and competence which has impressed the team at Crown Point and the train leasing company, Porterbrook. We hope they will consider the rail industry in the future if they decide to pursue engineering as a career.’

The students who took part in the project were Andy Knights, Matt Rudling, Ryan Frost and Tom Dougall.

Teacher, Simon Nicholson, commented, ‘The students thoroughly enjoyed working on this project with National Express. They are extremely grateful for all the hard work that was invested by the team of engineers and other staff involved to ensure the project was a success.’

For further information, please contact:

National Express East Anglia Press Office on 0207 549 5966 / 5964.