Alstom, in conjunction with its cleaning contractor, OCS, has developed a solution to clean the windscreens of Avanti West Coast’s Pendolino fleet by hand at its Traincare Centre in Polmadie, Glasgow.
Previously, because of overhead live wires in the depot, windscreen cleaning had to be carried out at track level. However, a spotless clean could not be achieved due to insufficient water pressure reaching the brush at that distance.
The solution makes use of mobile staging, which, by isolating the overhead electricity supply, allows cleaners to get closer access to the Pendolino windscreens, especially the edges of windscreens that automated train washes cannot completely clean.
Pendolinos typically visit Glasgow Traincare Centre every 56 days, and if the positive initial results continue, enhanced windscreen cleaning will be scheduled as a regular maintenance task. Over 100 staff at the depot provide round-the-clock maintenance on 17 trains per day, including around ten Class 390 Pendolinos.
Specialist cleaning is also undertaken at Alstom’s other Traincare Centres along the West Coast Main Line, including Longsight in Manchester, Edge Hill in Liverpool, Oxley in Wolverhampton, and Wembley in London.
At the Rail Business Awards earlier this year, the partnership between Alstom and OCS was nominated for an award in the Supplier & Contractor Excellence category.
Tim Barton, Alstom’s Train Presentation Manager, commented that this is a great example of how small, practical improvements can make a real difference, and by collaborating with OCS, Alstom has been able to introduce a relatively simple solution that delivers tangible benefits.
At the 2025 Golden Spanner awards, Avanti West Coast’s Class 390 Pendolino fleet won a Silver Spanner award for the most improved fleet in terms of reliability over 12 months.
“Triggered by inconsistent existing procedures, the team reviewed risks, refined materials and access methods, and integrated the task into maintenance schedules. Two controlled trials informed improvements, supported by staff feedback and targeted training. The project has demonstrated the value of close collaboration and clear communication, resulting in a higher-quality cleaning standard being rolled out fleet-wide.”
Jason Stuart, OCS Depot Manager
Responses
I seem to recall in the 1980´s at Portsmouth Harbour, the freshly arrived trains had their windscreens at the pending (London) front ends cleaned by the drivers themselves with buckets and mops provided at the starting location on the platform, with long hoses also provided to top up the w.c. water tanks, with public notices to take care in crossing those rubber hoses.