Pickersgill-Kaye’s expertise is not new to Irish Rail. During a major overhaul of its 18-strong fleet of 071 class locomotives, which are chiefly used for freight and permanent way operations in Ireland, Irish Rail’s engineers found that after 30 years’ service the original cab door locks needed replacing and turned to Pickersgill-Kaye.

The Leeds-based company had previously designed and manufactured cab door locks for Irish Rail’s 201 class locomotives used for hauling passenger rolling stock on intercity routes. It was a modified version of the high-quality cab door lock that Irish Rail required for the freight locomotives, which has already been fitted to half the fleet.

Pickersgill-Kaye’s rail product sales manager Andy Hewitt said: "We are very pleased with the latest overseas orders.

"Repeat business is always welcome, while the American order is a great indication that our export profile in the rail industry is increasing worldwide."

With more than 150 years’ experience supplying the rail industry and tram systems with door locks, including custom-built products to match exact specifications, Pickersgill-Kaye’s manufacturing flexibility and commitment, supported by excellent levels of service, has helped the company win new business against often tough overseas competitors.

These latest orders for Pickersgill-Kaye’s rail products follow on from supplying Axion Technologies with emergency talkback units for fitting to Toronto Transit ‘Rocket’ subway cars, loco locks for the Bombardier Traxx locomotives in Germany, Italy and Switzerland plus locks for Swiss Railways and also Polmor based in Poland.

Emergency door release access panels were also exported to IFE based in the Czech Republic for use on the new build Siemens vehicles, which ultimately will be used by Austrian railways.

The company also supplied under-frame side skirt locks to SAPA in Belgium (for UK new railway build) and last but not least, emergency hammer boxes to Siemens and Bombardier for new build tram vehicles which will also be used in Belgium.

Elsewhere, Pickersgill-Kaye supplied prototype retro-fit locks to a supplier for field trial testing on a train in Australia. Whilst in Asia, the worldwide exporter supplied Meggitts’ plant in China with specialist hose connector equipment.

For more information, please contact Pickersgill-Kaye.