Things are steaming rapidly ahead… are all railway depots keeping up?

Some rail maintenance depots seem to look, and operate, as if they are still in the steam age. All very quaint, but how efficient are they, and even more important, how safe for depot staff?

Over the past two decades, depot infrastructure has undergone changes which have clearly made a positive impact on safety. Better lighting arrangements, communication systems, access points, switches/crossings, signal sighting, fouling points and SPAD traps all contribute to increased safety.