CASE STUDY
DALNASPIDAL EARTHING WORKS
RESPONDING RAPIDLY TO AN UNEXPECTED OPERATIONAL RISK THROUGH INNOVATIVE ENGINNERING AND SPECIALIST ELECTRICAL EXPERTISE.
CLIENT
Story Rail
LOCATION
Scottish Highlands
DURATION
6 Weeks
SERVICES
Engineering | Electrical | Test & Commissioning
OVERVIEW
When Story Rail encountered an unexpected electrical safety issue during drainage and embankment works at Dalnaspidal in the Scottish Highlands, they turned to Kent Group for an urgent engineering solution. Stray voltages induced by nearby National Grid overhead power lines were creating a safety risk for track operatives and threatened to halt works on this vital section of the Highland Main Line.
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Working alongside our design partner, SVM Consultants, Kent Group quickly investigated the issue, developed a practical engineering solution and mobilised a complete package of design, manufacture and installation within days.
Through rapid collaboration and careful implementation, the temporary risk was removed, allowing the wider project to continue safely while avoiding disruption to this important rail route connecting the north of Scotland with the rest of the UK.
PROJECT BY NUMBERS
6
Weeks
100%
Operational Railway Maintained
1
7 Days
Design Turnaround
1
Emergency Engineering Solution
0
Critical Safety Risk Eliminated
Railway Closures
THE CHALLENGE
THE SOLUTION
ENGINEERING INNOVATION
Unexpected Safety Risk
Stray induced voltages created a significant hazard for track operatives.
Remote Location
Delivering a specialist engineering solution within the Scottish Highlands.
Time Critical
Designing, manufacturing and installing a solution within days to keep the programme moving.
Operational Railway
Maintaining the safe operation of this strategically important railway throughout the works.
Following site testing and monitoring, Kent Group worked with SVM Consultants to identify the source of the induced voltages and develop a bespoke earthing solution.
Equipment was procured, manufactured and prepared for site dispatch within a matter of days before being installed under a carefully planned implementation strategy. The completed works removed the immediate electrical safety risk, allowing Story Rail to continue their drainage and embankment works safely and without impacting railway operations.
The success of this project was not defined by its size, but by the speed of response. By combining engineering expertise, rapid decision making and in-house manufacturing capability, Kent Group developed and delivered a bespoke solution within days, demonstrating the agility required to support clients when unexpected challenges arise.
CLIENT BENEFITS
Rapid engineering response
Bespoke engineered solution
Trusted specialist support
Critical safety risk eliminated
No interruption to the wider project
Railway operations maintained
"Some of the most valuable projects are not the largest—they're the ones where experience, agility and engineering expertise make the biggest difference.
When Story Rail approached us with an unexpected challenge, our focus was simple: understand the problem quickly, engineer the right solution and help keep both the project and the railway moving safely.
This project reflects the way we like to work—responsive, collaborative and always focused on finding practical engineering solutions for our clients."
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Dougie Thomas
Operations Director (Scotland)
DIRECTORS STATEMENT
PROJECT GALLERY
