International
Spray Train Specification
- Fully automated touch screen computer technology
- Full weed recognition capabilities
- Weed mapping
- Detailed reports in relation to all spraying activities
- 24 hour spraying
- 2 x 50 mз water tankers
- On board bunded chemical storage – 12,000 litres
- Fully equipped operators accommodation coach
Weedfree on Track
Weedfree Ltd started trading in 1967, primarily as a weed control and de-vegetation specialist throughout the UK. Early works on track included large de-vegetation contracts in the mid 80's for the former British Rail. The company’s next move in the rail industry was in the late 80’s, providing operators for one of the two weedspray trains then in operation. By the mid 1990’s Weedfree were contracted to various rail companies in order to carry out the hand spraying of stations in the Midlands, North of England and Scotland, whilst continuing to provide operators and services for train-borne spraying for various weedspray trains.
Multi-purpose vehicles were introduced into the UK in 2000 and six were subsequently fitted with weed spraying modules. Weedfree continued to supply operators and ground support to these new machines and carried out hand spraying of stations, sidings and platform tops on a national basis.
Weedfree on Track Ltd was created when the company purchased the then redundant Aventis Spray Train and in 2001 won a three year contract to provide a fully equipped weed-spraying train including living accommodation with qualified staff on board to SNCB in Belgium from 2002 onwards. The entire train including 4 carriages and 3 water tankers were shipped from the UK mainland to Belgium. In 2004 due to our 100% success rate with the spray train the contract was extended by two years to include 2005 and 2006.
Weedfree on Track continued to build up the rail side of the business extending our on-train weed control service to Northern Ireland. Weedfree and Weedfree on Track now have over a 100 qualified Rail staff providing additional support services to the rail industry within the UK including the provision of operators and ground support during the autumn and winter railhead treatment seasons, vegetation works, bulk road-tanker water supplies, waste removal and the provision of ballast operators and safety staff.
To ensure continuous support to clients and operators Weedfree provide a 365 day fully manned 24/7 designated control centre.
In early 2007 Weedfree on Track were awarded a new 4 year contract from 2007 to 2010 with Infrabel for the provision of a weed-spray train with staff to treat the entire Belgian Network twice a year. Part of the new deal includes a newly commissioned spray train which has been built in readiness for the 2008 campaign. The current spray train is now being marketed to various countries with the view to either selling or carrying out weed control operations.
The new state of the art spray train with full weed-mapping capabilities was constructed in Hungary and includes the latest technology in train-borne weed control. The spray train consists of one spray carriage/control room, one living accommodation carriage, 2 x 50,000lt water tankers and a storage carriage. In Belgium it will be hauled by two SNCB locomotives.
The new spray train incorporates all the latest technological advances in precision application. A camera using NASA developed technology is mounted at the front of the locomotive, real time data is then transferred to the sophisticated software in the control room. This software uses Global Positioning Satellite technology to map where the actual weeds are on track. As a result of this mapping process the on board spray equipment determines the chemical spray requirements ensuring the correct dosage and herbicide product is applied only to the areas needing treatment. This fully automated spray technique significantly reduces the amount of herbicide used, not only saving costs but also reducing the impact on the environment.
The system is able to take into account traveling speeds and weather conditions and regulates and records doses accordingly.
The separate living carriage consists of 4 bedrooms and a living area with dining/kitchen area which allows staff to remain with the train while moving through Belgium during the weed-spray campaigns.
Weedfree On Track are now concentrating on further leads throughout Europe with a view to extending their operations to the mutual benefit of our European Neighbours.