Harsco Technologies Line Crew Accomodations
Additional Info
Award Winner : Northgate Industries Ltd.
Architectural Excellence : Harsco Technologies operates a twelve car train to recondition railway tracks, using a complex grinding system, throughout the USA and Mexico. The train consists of eight support cars and four crew accomodation cars. As older passenger cars are becoming rare, a new way of thinking was needed. Self contained, resilient and usable is the fitting description for this facility, as the design had to address the crew's every possible need as well as certain design limitations. Rail systems throughout the world use a "plate" system that limited the height and width of rail cars for tunnel entry and dictated the minimized design of the modules. The design also needed to address the clients' concern that the finished product blended into the entire train assembly. By having a private room for each individual, access to private wash facilities and a kitchen with every modern convenience, use and occupancy of these units was of great importance to the client.
Cost Energy Effectiveness : The advantage of a controlled, factory built environment to completion cannot be understated. Despite the install location was a significant distance from the factory, the modules were transported from Edmonton, Alberta to Gaston, South Carolina, complete. The on site work was limited to tying the modules to the rail car and connecting the power system via quick connects. The system power is generated from a diesel locomotive supplying power, requiring no seperate power supply to the modules. For comfort and convenience, the design includes individual room temperature control using low watt self contained heat/cool units. The environmentally friendly, no flush burn toilets eliminate a major cause of concern in any design, and are reinforced by adding in a low wattage lighting system.
Design Firm Name : Northgate Industries Ltd.
Occupied Date : 12/22/2005
Production Start Date : 12/1/2005
Project Location City : Gaston
Project Location State Name : SC
Technical Innovation : Train tracks do not have the built-in luxury of a soft ride, so the inherent 'rough and tumble' usage of the modules was addressed by incorporating an integral steel base on a soft shock trolley rail car. The steel base has buit-in, self contained potable water system tanks and grey water system. The grey water system was also utilized as a fire prevention system when the grinders are in use. Being mobile, the ability to vacuun out a black water system was not an option, so burn toilets were incorporated into the design, leaving a disposable ash bin as the only refuse. Harsco Track Technologies also had another major design consideration - to protect the people and modules from gunfire. This was achieved by utilizing bullet proof glass and exterior cladding. As a mobile system, communication to the home and office was accomplished via overhead electrical service and roaming satellite.
Total Square Feet : 1440
Category : Relocatable: Institutional or Assembly: under 5,000 sq. ft.