Vital

Contracting Services - Track

Vital Rail delivers a comprehensive range of fixed price contracting services.
Scope of works include:

ATWS Protection Services
Cable Route Works
Depot Works
Minor Civils
Mobile and Static Flash Butt Welding
Points Heating / Datum Plating / Track Lubrication
Scrap Removal
Switches and Crossings
Track Drainage
Track Monitoring
Track Renewal
Track Maintenance
UTX/URX construction and Directional Drilling
Vegetation Management
Welding, Grinding and Inspection
 
Vital Rail provide a comprehensive planning and project management service for all projects, including:

Health & Safety, Quality & Environmental Plans
Materials Procurement and Delivery
Method Statements
RIMINI Planning
Risk Assessments
Safety and Competence Management
Track Hand-back Documentation

We deliver these services countrywide to a number of the UK’s leading contractors as well as to Network Rail, Light Rail operators and to London Underground, utilising our skilled workforce and the latest customised plant.

Our entire workforce is continually assessed for safety and ongoing technical competence by our internal RTAS and NVQ accredited training company, Vital Skills Training.

Labour Supply

The leading provider of contingent labour in the UK, Vital has framework contracts in place with all four Network Rail Renewal Contractors. Additionally we enjoy long term supply contracts with many other leading rail contractors and are Network Rail’s largest supplier of rail labour, supporting 34 of their 40 maintenance delivery units.

All rail disciplines can be supplied to worksites across the length and breadth of the country, blue collar to white collar, overground to underground, with each operative's Sentinel registrations assessed and maintained internally by our group training company, Vital Skills Training.

Vital Skills Training have responsibility for the continuous development of our workforce.

We ensure that our people get to work and home again safely by operating a fleet of over 200 commercial vehicles, many specifically customised for rail contracting.

With more than 2000 currently sponsored operatives Vital Rail has the depth of resource to support any project.

Light Rail

Over recent years Vital Rail has built an enviable portfolio of projects associated with Light Rail systems. We have played a key part in the Manchester Metrolink expansion and renewal, the construction of the Nottingham Express Transit and the Blackpool Tram track replacement project. We were recently appointed as sub-contractor to Bam Rail for Thermic Welding and Ultrasonic Testing services for the Edinburgh Tram project and the Dublin City West Luas Extension. We have developed a substantial reputation for our expertise in the joining of "Grooved Rail" track.

Construction, Renewal and Maintenance of Tram, Rapid Transit and Urban Transportation Systems has become a prized addition to our core offering as authorities and commuters demand solutions in their efforts to combat traffic congestion.

Power & Electrification

Vital design, supply, install, test and commission overhead line, conductor rail and power systems. Our highly trained and experienced safety conscious staff have a proven track record of delivering projects across the UK on all rail infrastructures.

Our services include:

AC and DC Isolation Services
Bonding
Height and Stagger Survey Analysis and Adjustments
HV Cabling & Jointing
HV Distribution
Maintenance of Electrical Equipment
OLE Foundations and Steelwork Erection
Overhead Line Renewal
Power Transformers
SCADA Systems
Switchgear

Rail Training

Skill is about more than just competence.  Real skill is achieved through good training, continual development and best practice - delivered safely.  In short, we believe that without safety, there is no skill.

So safety is high on our training company's agenda. Vital Skills Training goes beyond the traditional Safety Critical Courses with our training academy delivering Plant Proficiency, Track Induction, Health & Safety and Industrial competencies.

Our licensed Track Safety Assessors are an integral part of our training operation and complement the ongoing engineering skills assessments undertaken. We also operate our own accredited NVQ training centre and are one of just a handful of companies delivering Level 2 & 3 NVQ in Permanent Way Engineering.

Rail Welding

Our welding operation boasts in excess of 40 welding teams with purpose built vehicles providing a round-the-clock service to locations throughout the UK and Ireland. Our service covers preparation, alignment, burning, welding, grinding and testing for aluminothermic and manual metal arc welding to rigorous Network Rail and London Underground standards.

We have recently developed procedures for the welding of “Grooved Rail” joints for use in Light Rail and Tram projects and are currently contracted to the Edinburgh, Dublin and Blackpool tram projects responsible for delivering in excess of 6000 thermic welds.

We have a fully traceable bespoke reporting system with documentation for procedure approvals and certification of completed welds. Our capability extends to specialist laser inspection and reporting of joint alignment for grinding work to comply with high specification tolerances.

Signalling & Telecoms

Our Signalling and Rail Telecommunications division is dedicated to the supply of experienced professional staff to the Network Rail and London Underground infrastructures. We work closely with our partners in the rail industry to forge long term relationships built on trust and understanding. These relationships allow us to tailor our S&T services to meet constantly changing needs.
With specialist staff, many with over 30 years experience of delivering S&T services, Vital are a leader in the provision of both permanent and temporary staff, all of whom are IRSE qualified.

Our experience includes:

Solid State Interlockings
Interlocking Renewals
TDM & FDM Renewals
TPWS
Point Renewals
Re Signalling Services

Technical and Consultancy

Our Technical and Consultancy Division provides a comprehensive service to contractors wishing to undertake works on or adjacent to Network Rail land, including Utility Companies, Developers and Private Landowners requiring assistance with such items as feasibility, formal approvals, safety facilitation and programme planning. All our staff are highly experienced, with vast in-depth knowledge of railway practices, protocol and procedures, enabling reliable rapid decision making together with cost efficient timely delivery.

Typical services include;

- Feasibility and Design
- Network Rail Engineering Approvals
- Track and Infrastructure Monitoring
- Stand-by Contingency Reinstatement
- Undertrack Crossings
- Design & Build Schemes

Underground

Vital is extensively experienced in all aspects of renewals and maintenance on Underground Infrastructure including, but not limited to: Deep Tube reconditioning, Deep Tube pit block renewal, Ballasted track renewal, P&C renewal and maintenance (tube and open section), Re-railing, Re-sleepering, Rail defect removal, Stressing, Conductor rail maintenance and renewal (including composite conductor rail), Scrap removal, Wet bed rectification, Track alignment, Track welding, Conductor rail welding, P&C repair welding and Track Handback Services.

Vital Rail has provided a skilled workforce, including safety critical staff and welding resources, to the two London Underground Infracos (Tubelines and LUL BCV & SSL) for many years.