Torrent Trackside

Benefits of Battery and Solar Lighting

Torrent Trackside’s Carl Abraitis explains why moving into emission free lighting is best for the environment and the rail industry

Lighting is an important part of rail construction and maintenance with considerable work having to be undertaken at night and in tunnels. Short winter days will soon be upon us and complex rail projects demand high quality, durable lighting.

Torrent Trackside has decades of experience providing portable rail plant in the UK and has a unique appreciation of the needs and challenges of the rail industry. We understand the need for dependable and easily transportable lighting, which is why we have invested in a complete range of lighting products to meet the needs of the most demanding rail projects.

Network Rail has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050 and with over 30 per cent of carbon emissions being generated by the supply chain Torrent Trackside took the decision to invest primarily in battery and solar powered lighting. Recent years have seen a surge in the power of Lithium Ion batteries, couple this with significant reductions in recharge times and the decision to switch to battery lighting became obvious. Manufacturers have also invested heavily in making the LED optics as efficient as possible so the cleanest possible light is produced, which is spread or directed exactly where it is needed.

Battery and solar powered lights are completely silent and emission free. This is important for the environment and the health of the rail engineers. Also considering over 22 million people live within 500 metres of a railway line it is also beneficial for the wider general population, both in terms of noise pollution and harmful emissions.

Different projects need different lighting and Torrent Trackside has a light to suit every task. The Nightsearcher Galaxy Pro is a very lightweight, handheld LED battery light which emits up to 6,000 lumens and can cover up to 60m2. The Milwaukee M-18 SAL is a 2,000-lumen portable light with a built in stand that can extend up to 2.2 metres. The M18’s ‘big brother’ is the M18 ONERSAL, this light folds down to the size of briefcase and can extend to 1.65 metres. The light has an IP67 rating which makes it completely waterproof and its powerful LEDs can emit up to 5,400 lumens. Both the M18 and ONERSAL have carrying straps for easy transportation on site, they can also be used as a powerful hand-held torch.

Link lights are an important part of railway construction and maintenance consisting of pole mounted floodlights that are daisy chained along the edge of the track. Torrent Trackside’s Protrack system combines high capacity batteries with a set of nine powerful link lights which work together to light up 100 metres of track. The batteries weigh less than 50kgs, an easy two man lift and they can power the lights for 32 hours. The lights are positioned ten metres apart and their powerful 2,000-lumen LEDS combined with excellent optics provide brilliant white floodlighting that spans the length of the track. The combined 32 hour run time eliminates the need for recharging during a typical weekend track possession.

Tower lights have been an integral part of rail lighting for decades, their height and power illuminating large spans of track and construction sites. The ProRXM combines all the advantages of a tower light but without the need for fuel. Highly efficient solar panels recharge a battery that powers four mast-mounted LED floodlights to between 10,000 and 40,000 lumens. The hydraulic mast can be extended to 7.5 metres illuminating 550 square metres with bright, clear floodlighting. The ProRXM is easy to transport and takes up little space on site. It has been designed to match the footprint of a standard tower light.

Once installed the ProRXM needs no maintenance or refuelling. Smart technology allows the light to be controlled remotely. Operation times can be programmed and monitored via a digital control centre.

With ever increasing fuel costs battery and solar lights offer a significant saving on running costs. If all Torrent Trackside’s lights were fully utilised its customers would save over £3 million a year. The environment will also benefit with almost 4.5 million kg of CO2 not being emitted into the atmosphere. All lights are now in use at rail projects across the UK and Torrent Trackside are continually looking for new innovative lighting products to add to their fleet. For more information, get in touch via the contact information below.

The ProRXM solar tower light delivers up to 40,000 lumens of emission free lighting Carl Abraitis is Torrent Trackside’s Operations Director. Tel: 0845 769 7168 Email: carl.abraitis@vpplc.com Visit: www.torrent.co.uk