Supplying a suspended gantry to the Orient-Express

Planet Platforms has supplied a suspended gantry to the Orient-Express to enable safe access to the top of their British Pullman carriages. It also allows maintenance personnel to carry out restoration works to the famous masterpiece.

Installed at the Orient-Express’ Battersea depot, the staging is being used to carry out general restoration work to the carriages such as cleaning, painting and repair. Tim Robins, Works and Planning manager at the Orient-Express explains the other uses of the staging, “The British Pullman carriages have white roofs, which tend to get very dirty from brake dust, and the cinders from the coal-fired locomotive.  A powerful cleaning agent is used to remove the embedded dust.  Although diluted this agent can harm the highly polished paintwork on the carriage sides.  Planet’s suspended access solution has built in water jets to act as a barrier and wash off the harmful residue from the cleaning process.”

Dating back to the mid to late 1920’s, the British Pullman is resplendent in rare timber veneers, custom-loomed fabrics and solid brass work, and all carriages have been meticulously restored with affection and care. 11 dining cars offer travellers an extensive programme of luxury dining experiences and day excursions to Britain’s historic towns and stately homes, sporting and social events.