class411
Operations: Normal
Posts: 2,724 
|
Post by class411 on Sept 6, 2015 10:22:48 GMT
I wonder if anyone can explain why it takes so long.
Obviously an escalator is a fairly complicated mechanism and maintenance has the added difficulty that some of it involves working at height, but the times taken seem absolutely outrageous. People literally put up complete buildings in the time taken to work on underground escalators.
Is it because they are not allowed to work on them whilst the stations are open, even if the are completely sectioned off?
|
|
|
|
Post by crusty54 on Sept 6, 2015 12:11:29 GMT
They are not the lightweight escalators you see in shops where you can see the underside.
There is virtually no space to work underneath in the machine chambers.
Where the escalator is being replaced you have to remove all the old parts before you start assembling the new machine.
It can be done more quickly if you're able to close off a bank of escalators at places like King's Cross.
|
|
paulsw2
My Train Runs For Those Who Wait Not Wait For Those That Run
Posts: 302
|
Post by paulsw2 on Sept 6, 2015 12:56:40 GMT
Another reason why escalator replacement / maintainable takes so long is that each escalator is bespoke it is not 1 size fits all and parts have to be specifically ordered. Work is done on some escalator upgrades during operating hours but not if any parts have to be brought to site (engineering hours only for that).the escalator has to be thoroughly tested as well to ensure it will operate as trouble free as possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by norbitonflyer on Sept 6, 2015 13:29:13 GMT
Another reason why escalator replacement / maintainable takes so long is that each escalator is bespoke it is not one size fits all . Why not? Especially for the newer stations, which could have been designed that way from the ground up (or rather down). |
|
rincew1nd
Administrator
Junior Under-wizzard of quiz
Posts: 10,240
|
Post by rincew1nd on Sept 6, 2015 14:49:52 GMT
I suspect the "newer" stations will have some degree of standardisation, however this leaves the vast majority where escalator tunnels need to be weaved between the rest of London. Perhaps this is also why a bank of escalators can be refurbished quicker than individual ones; there will be similarities between all the escalators in the bank.
|
|
|
|
Post by theblackferret on Sept 6, 2015 15:55:59 GMT
I suspect the "newer" stations will have some degree of standardisation, however this leaves the vast majority where escalator tunnels need to be weaved between the rest of London. Perhaps this is also why a bank of escalators can be refurbished quicker than individual ones; there will be similarities between all the escalators in the bank. And even then you can't guarantee that if Escalator 1 in a bank needs new parts A & C, that Escalators 2-4 will need the same replaced, or any replacements at all. You also can't guarantee, though you can make reasonably accurate scientific predictions instead, that a bank of four escalators will all suffer the same amount of wear and tear over a given period, so they can assume nothing, one reason they have such a decent safety record. |
|
|
|
Post by 100andthirty on Sept 7, 2015 14:54:39 GMT
I did watch my local M&S upgrade its escalators over a weekend. It's on three floors. They used a "rather large" crane, and took the roof off. The escalators were delivered complete and lifted and lowered into place. This isn't practicable at most tube locations so the individual parts have to be carried from the surface or brought in on engineers trains. As others have said, most of LU's escalators are somewhat more heavy duty (individual parts are bigger/heavier) and,of course most are somewhat longer than is typical in a store!
|
|
