Why Encompass Engineering

Customers come to Encompass when they need additional engineering support, specialist knowledge or extra resource for a project.

Many of the projects we support involve introducing new fleets, carrying out testing activities or delivering work alongside day-to-day operational demands. Our team works alongside customers, providing practical support where and when it is needed.

Whether helping to fill a short-term skills gap, providing an independent view or supporting activities in depots and operational environments, our focus is on helping customers get the work done.

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Why customer choose Encompass Engineering

  • We are independent: We have no financial interest in the outcome of a project, allowing us to provide objective advice and support based on what will work best for the customer.
  • We adapt to each project: Some customers need support with a specific challenge, while others need additional resource across a wider programme of work. We work with customers to provide the support that is needed for the job at hand.
  • We provide additional support when it’s needed: Many projects require specialist knowledge or extra resource for a limited period of time. We help customers access that support without having to build permanent teams.
  • We work where the work happens: We don’t support projects from a distance. Whether supporting fleet introduction, testing or maintenance activities, our people work alongside customer teams in depots and operational environments rather than from behind a desk.
  • We think beyond the project: When carrying out testing or supporting project activities, we consider how decisions made today may affect safety, maintenance and day-to-day operation in the future.
  • We’ve done this before: Customers often come to us for support with challenges we’ve seen on other projects, allowing them to draw on experience built over many years. Read our case studies to see how we’ve supported customers across a range of projects.
  • We understand how projects work in practice: Our experience spans fleet introduction, testing, operation and maintenance activities, giving us an understanding of the different challenges customers face at each stage.
  • We bring specialist knowledge: Customers come to us for expertise that may not exist within their own team, helping them tackle specific challenges without having to build that knowledge in-house.

Who we work with

  • Greater Anglia
  • West Midland Railway
  • East Midlands Railway
  • South Western Railway
  • Chiltern Railways
  • Transport UK
  • London Underground
  • Alstom
  • Network Rail
  • RSSB
  • Hitachi
  • General Electric

Case Studies

Strengthening cybersecurity for a new train fleet

Faced with the challenge of balancing strong cyber defenses with operational efficiency, the fleet owner and operator needed expert support.

Encompass Engineering was brought in to assess risks, identify vulnerabilities and develop tailored strategies to strengthen the fleet’s cyber resilience.

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Noise management strategy for Northern

In line with new UK DfT requirements - Northern was required to identify and map all noise-prone, densely populated areas and vulnerable locations as part of their noise management strategies.

Northern engaged us to help complete this project. We were tasked with identifying Noise Important Areas, prioritising vulnerable areas and creating a framework for effective monitoring and targeted mitigation.

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Maintenance documentation review for West Midlands Railway’s Class 196

West Midlands Railway, a major operator in the UK’s rail network, engaged our team at Encompass to conduct a comprehensive review of their Maintenance Design Justification File (MDJF).

This document plays a key role in ensuring proper fleet maintenance by outlining tasks and schedules essential to the safe and efficient operation of their trains. Our job was to validate this documentation, ensuring that the maintenance schedules matched the actual operational requirements.

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Automated Vehicle Inspection System (AVIS) Implementation Support for Rock Rail’s Arterio Fleet

Rock Rail and South Western Railway sought to take a more proactive approach to the maintenance of their Arterio fleet by installing an Automated Vehicle Inspection System (AVIS).

We supported Rock Rail with the system's implementation, ensuring it met technical specifications and delivered reliable, real-time monitoring of train components for early detection of potential issues.

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Value stream mapping of rail sidings activities at Tyseley depot

West Midlands Trains has multiple depots across the UK where it carries out essential maintenance tasks. One of their key depots is Tyseley, in Birmingham.

All units arrive and depart in the sidings in the upper part of the depot with direct links to the live network. Between arrival and departure, there are a series of tasks to undertake, which given its state, were challenging to complete and led to depot inefficiencies.

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Maintenance Audit of Rock Rail’s Class 717 Fleet

Rock Rail owns a fleet of 25 Class 717 units that has been serving passengers since 2019.

To protect their assets, Rock Rail wanted an independent specialist team to conduct inspections on these Siemens units - from both the physical unit and maintenance perspective. The project would provide insight into whether or not agreed-upon maintenance procedures were being adhered to.

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Testimonials

Encompass has a great and in-depth knowledge of rail standards and provided useful insight into customers and their operations. They are very helpful with documentation and hardware, ensuring the quality of projects is maintained at a high level at all times. Encompass staff are well integrated with the Razor team, with quick responses, always helpful, great communication, and always collaborative.

— Alex Cowan, RazorSecure, CEO

Encompass Engineering has played a crucial role in our endeavours at West Midlands Trains, particularly during the implementation of our new Cl 196 fleet. Their unwavering support has proven invaluable, encompassing critical aspects such as technical assistance through modification reviews, testing witnessing, wayside engineering, and proficient project management to facilitate the integration of the units into passenger service. Their contribution has not only assisted us in overcoming challenges but has also significantly enhanced the depth of our capabilities when it mattered most.

— John Doughty, Engineering Director, West Midlands Trains

We were looking for additional timetable planning resources to support us with the planning of operational testing paths for our new train fleets. The engineer Encompass provided had the skills and experience that fitted the bill perfectly. As a result, we successfully planned testing paths across the west coast and west midlands routes, supporting the entry into service of our new fleets.

— Mike Hoptroff, Head of Planning, Access & Timetable Strategy, West Midlands Trains

Encompass contributed towards the speedy review and feedback of design and maintenance information that has helped move the project forward.

— Rachel Turner, Head of New Trains, Joint Project Manager EMR-BMU, East Midlands Trains

As rolling stock owner, we would like to acknowledge the reliable quality assurance and vehicle inspection services provided by Encompass Engineering on our new-build rolling stock project in the UK. Their pragmatic approach, effective collaboration with the manufacturer and thorough inspection process have met our practical requirements. Encompass exhibited commitment to thorough due diligence, ongoing review of fleet modifications, technical open items, physical inspection of the vehicles and the associated paperwork. Encompass quality team provided efficient coordination of work and presence across five UK sites - Derby, Worksop, Wembley, Eastleigh, and Wimbledon – which reflects their helpful approach and reliability. We value Encompass Engineering for delivering dependable quality assurance services and recommend them as a pragmatic partner.

— Natalia Slavianskaia, Consultant, Rock Rail

As the owner of the Class 717 fleet, we were pleased with the activities undertaken by Encompass Engineering during the audit, with the fleet having been in passenger service for approximately 5 years. The thorough inspections undertaken on a sample of the fleet have provided insight into the management by the TOC from both a physical asset and cleanliness perspective. These inspections, accompanied by the audit of Deferred Work, Overhaul Strategy, Preventative Maintenance Scheduling and Owner Owned Spares Maintenance, has provided a valuable insight to the current condition and status of the fleet.

— James Herriott, Engineering Director, Rock Rail

Encompass Engineering supplied a skilled engineer who has proven to be a valuable, dedicated resource for this project, as well as for other projects they have successfully undertaken for the business. The engineer brought a wealth of knowledge and fully engaged with our workforce to ensure buy-in and transparent working.

— James Holmes, Business Excellence Manager, West Midlands Trains

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