Encompass Engineering Ensures Maintenance Readiness For West Midlands Railway’S Class 196 Fleet

Specialist engineering consultancy Encompass Engineering has completed a critical review of West Midlands Railway’s Maintenance Design Justification File (MDJF) for its newly introduced Class 196 fleet.

Encompass Engineering said that the “meticulous” validation process would ensure maintenance schedules and tasks aligned with operational requirements, supporting the safe and efficient running of the trains.

As part of West Midlands Railway’s ongoing commitment to safety and reliability, the company sought independent verification of its maintenance documentation to eliminate any discrepancies. The MDJF – a key document outlining essential maintenance tasks – needed to be cross checked against the Vehicle Maintenance Schedule (VMS) and Vehicle Maintenance Instructions (VMIs). Encompass Engineering was appointed to carry out this task, helping the operator to achieve full compliance and operational confidence.

Josh Gilsenan, Operations Director at Encompass Engineering, highlighted the importance of this work: “Ensuring maintenance documentation is accurate and aligned is a fundamental part of delivering a safe and reliable rail service. Our team’s expertise in detailed validation helps prevent operational issues before they arise.”

Encompass Engineering revealed that the review involved a structured approach – breaking down maintenance tasks into low, medium and high-priority categories. By comparing the MDJF with the VMS and VMIs, it identified discrepancies and worked with the train manufacturer to resolve them.

“The work we carried out has given West Midlands Railway a strong foundation to finalise their maintenance documentation,” commented Josh. “By identifying and categorising discrepancies, we have helped streamline the validation process and ensure that the Class 196 fleet meets industry standards.”

Encompass Engineering added that its expertise in maintenance documentation and process reviews helps train operators to avoid costly errors and maintain peak operational performance.

For more information, visit www.encompass-engineering.com or contact the Encompass Engineering team.