Brecknell Willis: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|British electrical engineering company}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}} |
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{{Use British English|date=December 2016}} |
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}} |
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{{More citations needed|date=June 2021}} |
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'''Brecknell Willis''' is a British company headquartered in [[Chard, Somerset|Chard]], [[Somerset]], and brand-name of [[Railway electrification system|electrification equipment]] for railways, mostly [[Pantograph (rail)|pantograph]]s and [[contact shoe]]s. <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.buildingscotlandmagazine.co.uk/online/uk_construction/uk_features/june2013/brecknell-willis.html# |title=UK Construction |access-date=2 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235342/http://www.buildingscotlandmagazine.co.uk/online/uk_construction/uk_features/june2013/brecknell-willis.html# |archive-date=3 March 2016 |dead-url=yes |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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'''Brecknell Willis''' is a [[Wabtec]] company<ref>[https://www.railwaygazette.com/technology/smarter-pantograph-developed/43167.article Smarter pantograph developed], Railway Gazette International, 20 September 2016</ref> headquartered in [[Chard, Somerset|Chard]], [[Somerset]], [[South West England]] and brand-name of [[Railway electrification system|electrification equipment]] for railways, mostly [[Pantograph (rail)|pantograph]]s and [[contact shoe]]s. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Henry Brecknell and Sons began operating in 1854. In 1894 it moved into electrification. Since 1938 it has been in |
Henry Brecknell and Sons began operating in 1854. In 1894, it moved into electrification. Since 1938 it has been in Chard, when known as Brecknell, Willis & Co. Ltd.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.buildingscotlandmagazine.co.uk/online/uk_construction/uk_features/june2013/brecknell-willis.html# |title=UK Construction |access-date=2 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235342/http://www.buildingscotlandmagazine.co.uk/online/uk_construction/uk_features/june2013/brecknell-willis.html# |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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In 2023, site’s production facility was closed by Wabtec. The production was transferred to other Wabtec plants while the office in Chard will maintain its engineering, project management, and sales office.<ref> Antonio Scancariell, [https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/chard_news/23414221.brecknell-willis-production-transferred-end-year/ Brecknell Willis’ production to be transferred by the end of the year], chardandilminsternews.co.uk, 27 March 2023</ref> |
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==Products== |
==Products== |
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===Pantographs=== |
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* [[Brecknell Willis high reach pantograph]] |
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====Low height pantograph==== |
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The Brecknell Willis Low Height pantograph is one of the four standard devices in use on British railway locomotives and multiple units and is a development of the standard Brecknell Willis High Speed pantograph. The Low Height pantograph is suitable for speeds up to {{convert|160|km/h}}. It has a small aerofoil mounted on the knuckle joint between the upper and lower arms.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} |
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====High reach pantograph==== |
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{{anchor|Brecknell Willis high reach pantograph}}Although it had been used on a few rapid transit systems and on a [[Blackpool Tramway|Blackpool tram]],{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} the first use of the high reach pantograph in the UK was the main lines was back in 1974 when a small number were fitted to some [[British Rail Class 309|Class 309s]] based at [[Ilford EMU Depot]]. These continued to be used until around 1980 when they were all removed.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} |
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====High speed pantograph==== |
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{{anchor|Brecknell Willis High Speed Pantograph}}The High speed pantograph was designed during the late 1970s and early 1980s as part of ongoing research into developing a pantograph capable of speeds over the 100 mph (160 km/h) limit of the [[Stone Faiveley AMBR pantograph]], which was the standard type in use at the time. The first locomotive to be fitted with the pantograph was [[British Rail Class 86|Class 86]] No 86244, during February 1980. The pantograph is the mainstay within the UK railway system, where it is used on most overhead electric locomotives and EMUs. It has also been exported across the world, being used on the US high speed train [[Acela]] and the [[Eurostar]] [[British Rail Class 373|Class 373]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} |
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==Gallery== |
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<gallery class="center"> |
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Image:Brecknell willis low height.jpg|Low height pantograph |
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==See also== |
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Image:20091223 375 Supertram 114.jpg|[[Sheffield Supertram]] [[Siemens-Duewag Supertram]] |
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* [[:Category:Light rail in the United Kingdom]] |
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Image:Metrolink tram in Eccles.jpg|[[Manchester Metrolink]] [[AnsaldoBreda T-68]] |
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Image:Kinki Sharyo P3010 1.jpg|[[Los Angeles Metro Rail]] [[Kinki Sharyo P3010]] |
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Image:2 Pantograph.jpg|[[Siemens Desiro]] [[British Rail Class 360|Class 360/2]] pantograph with the characteristic aerofoils clearly visible |
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Image:Acela overhead view.jpg|Overhead view of the Brecknell Willis High Speed pantograph in action on the US [[Acela]] vehicle |
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</gallery> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.brecknell-willis.co.uk Brecknell Willis] |
* [http://www.brecknell-willis.co.uk Brecknell Willis] |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120401202534/http://www.rssb.co.uk/sitecollectiondocuments/pdf/reports/research/T346_summary_rpt_final.pdf Details of different UK railway pantographs] |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110705060843/http://www.traintesting.com/Highspeed_pan.htm Traintesting webpage on Brecknell Willis High Speed Pantograph development] |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120515121734/http://www.traintesting.com/BW%20Highreach%20pan.htm Traintesting webpage on Brecknell Willis High Reach pantograph development] |
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{{Railway electrification}} |
{{Railway electrification}} |
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[[Category:1854 establishments in England]] |
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[[Category:Chard, Somerset]] |
[[Category:Chard, Somerset]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Tram technology]] |
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[[Category:British companies established in 1854]] |
[[Category:British companies established in 1854]] |
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[[Category:Electrical engineering companies of the United Kingdom]] |
[[Category:Electrical engineering companies of the United Kingdom]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:11, 12 July 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2021) |
Brecknell Willis is a Wabtec company[1] headquartered in Chard, Somerset, South West England and brand-name of electrification equipment for railways, mostly pantographs and contact shoes.
History
[edit]Henry Brecknell and Sons began operating in 1854. In 1894, it moved into electrification. Since 1938 it has been in Chard, when known as Brecknell, Willis & Co. Ltd.[2]
In 2023, site’s production facility was closed by Wabtec. The production was transferred to other Wabtec plants while the office in Chard will maintain its engineering, project management, and sales office.[3]
Products
[edit]For the London Underground, it has supplied shoe gear and conductor rail systems, as well as pantographs to the rail industry.[citation needed]
Pantographs
[edit]Low height pantograph
[edit]The Brecknell Willis Low Height pantograph is one of the four standard devices in use on British railway locomotives and multiple units and is a development of the standard Brecknell Willis High Speed pantograph. The Low Height pantograph is suitable for speeds up to 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph). It has a small aerofoil mounted on the knuckle joint between the upper and lower arms.[citation needed]
High reach pantograph
[edit]Although it had been used on a few rapid transit systems and on a Blackpool tram,[citation needed] the first use of the high reach pantograph in the UK was the main lines was back in 1974 when a small number were fitted to some Class 309s based at Ilford EMU Depot. These continued to be used until around 1980 when they were all removed.[citation needed]
High speed pantograph
[edit]The High speed pantograph was designed during the late 1970s and early 1980s as part of ongoing research into developing a pantograph capable of speeds over the 100 mph (160 km/h) limit of the Stone Faiveley AMBR pantograph, which was the standard type in use at the time. The first locomotive to be fitted with the pantograph was Class 86 No 86244, during February 1980. The pantograph is the mainstay within the UK railway system, where it is used on most overhead electric locomotives and EMUs. It has also been exported across the world, being used on the US high speed train Acela and the Eurostar Class 373.[citation needed]
Gallery
[edit]-
Low height pantograph -
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-
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Siemens Desiro Class 360/2 pantograph with the characteristic aerofoils clearly visible -
Overhead view of the Brecknell Willis High Speed pantograph in action on the US Acela vehicle
References
[edit]- ^ Smarter pantograph developed, Railway Gazette International, 20 September 2016
- ^ "UK Construction". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- ^ Antonio Scancariell, Brecknell Willis’ production to be transferred by the end of the year, chardandilminsternews.co.uk, 27 March 2023