Mechan
Railway Depot and Workshop Equipment

Mechan is one of the UK’s leading railway maintenance companies, offering a wide range of heavy lifting and handling products to clients worldwide.The Sheffield-based manufacturer combines traditional engineering skills with innovative design and the latest technology, to drive the development of equipment that epitomises its commitment to quality, safety and reliability.
Rail lifting jacks
Perhaps best known for its striking yellow lifting jacks, Mechan produces tough yet refined fixed or mobile units that are used to service railcars of all sizes in depots across the globe.
An unlimited number of train jacks can be linked together to work as a synchronised unit, thanks to the firm’s patented Megalink controller. Using a single cable, a lift can be managed by just one person from a portable, touchscreen human-machine interface (HMI) panel, which provides constant feedback, records information about usage and faults, and offers impressive power savings.
Equipment drops
These versatile handling systems are becoming increasingly popular as they make bogie change feasible within two hours. Time can also be saved on other underfloor work.
Because each equipment drop is made to order, Mechan’s expert engineers tailor the design to the unique needs and practical constraints of its intended location, ensuring the unit does not detract from other depot work and normal operations can continue when it is not in use.
Undercar handling
Mechan’s underfloor lifting systems for trains enable complete bogies or other floor-mounted equipment to be removed or replaced without decoupling carriages. They can be installed beneath one or multiple roads, providing full, uninterrupted access to the item being changed.
Bogie lifting and handling
Bogie maintenance is a key area of depot activity where products designed to make the removal, replacement and refurbishment of bogies easier and safer are in high demand. Ranging from bogie rotators to bogie lifting platforms and bogie turntables, Mechan’s bespoke design and build process ensures all of its bogie change equipment is adaptable and meets the servicing needs of the busiest depots.
Rail traversers
Rail traversers are a perfect example of large-scale installations that are built to order and Mechan is making a name for itself in this field.
Requests for these unique machines are much lower than other railway lifting equipment, but Mechan is one of the few companies in the UK able to showcase its ability to design and build cost-effective, bespoke products for any size or weight vehicle.
Third-party innovations
For customers based in the UK and Ireland, Mechan has sourced a range of products from European manufacturers that complements its in-house capabilities.
Profile measuring is a must for checking wheel, brake and rail wear and Mechan is representing one of the most advanced systems on the market: the handheld CALIPRI from NextSense. It uses three simple lasers to record all relevant parameters on wheelsets and tracks, producing faultless, tamper-proof results.
The importance of improving air quality and the depot environment is being recognised by a growing number of maintenance providers and Mechan has sourced various products offering clear environmental benefits. These include automated sandbox filling systems from Klein Anlagenbau, fume extraction systems from Blaschke and a cleaner, greener alternative to traditional shunters. The award winning, Zwiehoff electric road and rail shunters are emission-free, relying solely on battery power to trail loads up to 500t.
A partnership with Koltech is also allowing Mechan to bring high-quality wheel lathes to customers who wish to recondition wheel profiles. They can be adapted to any rail vehicle and are available in a single or tandem arrangement.
Depot equipment maintenance
Mechan’s commitment to customers does not stop at installation. The firm’s trained technicians offer comprehensive service arrangements, comprising planned maintenance packages, 24-hour emergency response and access to spare parts or technical support.
About Mechan
With almost half a century’s engineerin expgerience, Mechan enjoys an unrivalled reputation at home and overseas and supplies high-profile UK projects, such as the Intercity Express Programme, Thameslink and Crossrail.
The firm has established an international network of agents, enabling exports to play an increasingly significant role in its success and equipment is shipped as far afield as South Africa, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
Thanks to its attention to detail and after-sales care, Mechan enjoys excellent links with depot operators and train builders, working regularly with the likes of Siemens, Hitachi, Network Rail, Bombardier and Alstom. An open and friendly work environment promotes the generation of ideas and a sense of responsibility among staff, which is reflected in the high level of customer service enjoyed by clients large and small.

Metropolitan Line Extension, London
The Metropolitan Line Extension (previously known as Croxley Rail Link (CRL)) will connect the Watford branch of the London Underground Metropolitan line with the National Rail network at Watford Junction via Watford High Street, UK.
Mechan Installs Traverser at York Railway Depot
Mechan is proving its reputation as one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of rail traversers with its latest installation at the Holgate depot in York.
17 December 2019Mechan Team on Track for Rail Charity Challenge
Four colleagues from rail depot equipment specialist Mechan have begun preparing for a charity fundraiser taking place next year.
13 December 2019Turntable Design Revitalised By Mechan
Mechan has revitalised one of its long-lasting rail maintenance products, freeing up time and money for depot operators during its set-up process.
24 June 2019Record Mechan Lifting Jack Order Numbers Boost Demand
Mechan is seeing record-breaking demand for its flagship lifting jacks, having secured orders for over 160 units this year.
30 May 2019Mechan Brings European Innovations to UK Railway Show
Mechan will be adding a continental feel to Railtex 2019, showcasing its expertise, in addition to some of the European innovations it represents.
16 April 2019Sheffield MP Visits Mechan for 50th Anniversary
Sheffield Labour MP Clive Betts attended Mechan's facilities as part of a visit to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary.
8 March 2019Cairo Metro Representatives Return to Mechan Headquarters
Representatives from Cairo Metro arrived at Mechan's Sheffield headquarters in the UK, almost nine years to the day they made their first journey to the city.
25 February 2019Mechan Hosts Open Day and Makes Charity Donation for 50th Anniversary
Mechan has donated £5,000 to the city’s Children’s Hospital to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
12 February 2019Mechan Sets Fundraising Goal To Mark Half Century
Rail maintenance equipment specialist, Mechan, is embarking on a charity mission to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The Sheffield-based manufacturer has pledged to raise at least £5,000 for the city’s Children’s Hospital to mark this milestone in its development.
5 October 2018Mechan Introduces New Board of Directors
Mechan has welcomed new members to its board of directors.
19 September 2018Mechan Jacks Help Maintain Crossrail Trains
Mechan will help to keep trains operating on London’s new Elizabeth Line with its line of specialist maintenance equipment.
5 September 2018Mechan Lifts InnoTrans Presence to New Heights
Mechan is preparing to exhibit its largest stand at InnoTrans in Germany this year and expand its international profile.
22 August 2018Mechan Retains People Management Award
Mechan has maintained its Investors in People accreditation, following the endorsement of the company's 'strong purpose and vision to be recognised as the best in the industry'.
24 July 2018Mechan Stalwart Steps Down on Silver Anniversary
Rail depot equipment specialist, Mechan, is bidding a fond farewell to one of its longest-serving employees, who retires this month after 25 years of service.
10 May 2018Panama Project Opens Americas Market to Mechan
Mechan is growing its international export business with the very first order planned for delivery to the Americas.
3 May 2018Mechan Signs Five Year Maintenance Contract with Hitachi Rail
Mechan has signed an exclusive five-year maintenance contract for its products supplied to Hitachi Rail.
8 March 2018Heritage Rail Given a Lift from Advanced Mechan Equipment
Rail enthusiasts are able to preserve a historic rail fleet with advanced lifting equipment developed by Mechan.
29 January 2018New Owners Raise Railtex Interest in Mechan
13 April 2017Mechan Acquired by Major French Rail Group
6 March 2017Longsight Lengthens List of Mechan Equipment
20 October 2016Double Crane Order Grants Mechan Allerton Hatrick
4 October 2016Mechan Equips Innovation Centre for New IEP Trains
30 August 2016Hong Kong Raises Mechan’s Export Expectations
15 August 2016Mechan Jacks Up Presence at Innotrans
9 August 2016Mechan Deemed Fit to Hit Nuclear Arena
24 July 2016Key Account Manager to Unlock Mechan Potential
3 July 2016Mechan Solves Space Issue for VolkerFitzpatrick at Ilford Depot
9 May 2016Winning Workforce Bags Mechan Manufacturing Glory
26 April 2016Mechan Has Measure of Irish Tram Track Wear
22 April 2016Mechan Awarded Order Boost from Crossrail Contract
19 April 2016Mechan Helps High Output Train Live Up to Name
11 April 2016Mechan Wins Major Rail Industry Award
23 March 2016Mechan Focuses on Young Talent in a Bid to be Best
16 March 2016Mechan Reports Strategic Progress after Rail Sector Strategy Launch
11 March 2016First IEP Trains Carried by Mechan Traversers
9 March 2016Mechan to Appear at Middle East Rail 2016
4 March 2016Mechan Seals Deal with Doncaster Neighbour
9 September 2015Mechan at Railtex 2015
24 April 2015Mechan Appoints Agent in Saudi Arabia
28 June 2010Local Links Get Mechan on Track for Blackpool
28 June 2010Mechan Wins First Sand-Filling Order for Trams
28 April 2010Mechan’s Marathon Man Achieves Personal Best
28 April 2010Mechan Welcomes Egyptian Rail Experts
25 February 2010Mechan Brings Innovative Italian Plant to UK
25 February 2010Mechan Celebrates Record Orders
25 May 2009Mechan Signs Deals with Four European Companies
1 April 2009Mechan Makes Move for Future Success
9 March 2009Train Lifting-Gear Deals Won
13 December 2007Southern Backs Manufacturer Expertise
13 December 2007Pit-Stop Wheel Change for Eurostar
19 October 2007Key Railway Supplier Mechan Bought by Managers
29 August 2007Low-Tech Depots Must Bite the Bullet
1 May 2007Export Markets Beckon Mechan
12 March 2007Mechan Limited
- +44 114 257 0563
- +44 114 245 1124
- info@mechan.co.uk
- www.mechan.co.uk
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