BBC Spotlights Train Escape System

BBC programme Tomorrow's World has revealed an innovative train egress system that will aid faster escape from railway carriages during rail incidents. HSBC Rail and Pickersgill-Kaye developed the K-Tex system in response to the problems identified following recent rail disasters at Southall and Ladbroke Grove.

The K-Tex system, which breaks the escape windows on the carriage, is fitted alongside the window and is operated by pulling a handle. On activation, both panels of toughened glass in the double-glazed side windows break simultaneously allowing trapped passengers to escape by simply pushing out the glass.
Other innovative features include :

Back-lit mounting for easy location

Alarmed activation to reduce misuse but also to attract passenger attention when needed

Link to train systems to apply emergency brakes on activation

Simple yet powerful mechanical action

Announcing the new development, Peter Aldridge, director and head of HSBC Rail, said "Using hammers as we do now to break train windows can be difficult and they often go missing. You also have to individually break each pane of glass before escaping. K-Tex not only addresses this problem but also eases use, reduces vandalism and maximises passenger security."

Harry Griffiths, pictured, Sales Manager at Pickersgill-Kaye added "The K-Tex egress system is simple to install and operate and has the potential to save valuable time and lives. The device is relatively low cost and can be fitted easily to existing vehicles."

Media enquiries to Sanjay Mistry on 0121 455 3139

Notes to editors:

HSBC Rail (UK) Limited owns one third of the UK's rolling stock and provides a comprehensive range of rolling stock and management services for rail passenger and freight markets. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Bank plc which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc. With some 6,000 offices in 81 countries and territories and assets of US$580 billion at 30 June 2000, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations.

Pickersgill-Kaye Limited has been involved in the supply of safety critical products to the rail industry for over 100 years. In recent years Pickersgill-Kaye has developed products for emergency access and egress from vehicles fitted with secondary locking, Passenger Emergency Brake Handles and Passenger Emergency Communication Switches and Talkback Units.

The K-Tex window-breaking mechanism is the subject of UK patent application No. 0030842.9

Press Release - Life Saving Train Emergency Exit System Developed
K-Tex Product Information
K-Tex Product Enquiries