Rail & transport

Today’s trains and wider transport fleets are more advanced, more efficient and more sensitive to fuel contamination than ever before. Many are still refuelled from depot infrastructure built decades ago. WASP closes that gap with complete fuel filtration solutions that deliver clean, dry diesel from the moment it arrives at the depot to the moment it enters the train or vehicle.

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The challenge

Modern trains, ageing fuel infrastructure

The rail industry is going through a period of rapid fleet renewal. New diesel and bi-mode trains bring improved performance, lower emissions and greater efficiency. But the depots, fuelling points and storage facilities that serve them often haven’t changed in decades.

That mismatch creates a real and growing risk. Fuel that passes through old tanks and pipework picks up contamination along the way, and modern rail engines are far less tolerant of that contamination than the fleets they replace. The consequences are blocked filters, damaged fuel injection equipment, failed units in service and trains taken out of traffic, all of which affect punctuality, performance and passenger confidence.

Similarly, wider transport fleet depots and modern engines, need to keep tight control over their fuel delivery and quality to keep their fleet moving.

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Fuel contamination challenges in the rail industry

Ageing fuel tanks and pipework

Many rail depots rely on fuel storage tanks, pipe runs and dispensing systems installed long before today’s rolling stock was designed. Over time, steel tanks and pipes corrode, shedding rust, scale and sediment into the fuel. Sludge builds up in tank bottoms, seals and joints deteriorate, and condensation allows water to collect inside storage. Every litre that passes through this infrastructure risks picking up contamination on its way to the train, even if it was delivered clean.

Replacing depot fuel infrastructure is expensive, disruptive and often not an immediate option. Effective filtration allows operators to protect their fleet now, while extending the working life of existing assets.

New trains with more sensitive engines

Modern rail engines use high-pressure common rail fuel injection systems built to extremely fine tolerances. These systems deliver the performance and emissions standards the industry demands, but they are highly vulnerable to particulates and water. Contamination that older engines could tolerate can cause rapid wear to injectors and high-pressure pumps in newer units, leading to costly repairs and reduced fleet availability.

Engine manufacturers and fleet owners increasingly specify strict fuel cleanliness requirements, and meeting them consistently requires more than a basic filtration setup.

Why good filtration may not be enough

Even depots with a well-designed filtration system in place can still deliver contaminated fuel to the train. Contamination can be introduced after the main filtration stage, through pipework, hoses, nozzles and dispensing equipment between the storage tank and the fuelling point. This is why a last-chance filtration stage at the point of dispense is becoming an essential part of protecting modern rolling stock. It is the final barrier between your fuel system and your fleet.

Water in stored diesel

Water is one of the most damaging contaminants in rail diesel. It enters through condensation, poor tank seals, ageing vent systems and contaminated deliveries. Once present, it encourages microbial growth, speeds up corrosion of tanks and pipes, and reduces the lubricity that fuel injection systems depend on. Biodiesel (FAME) blends can hold more water than conventional diesel, which makes moisture control in storage even more important.

Inconsistent delivery quality

Fuel quality can vary from one delivery to the next. Without filtration at the point of offloading, contamination from the delivery tanker goes straight into depot storage, where it mixes with existing stock and spreads throughout the system.

Our solution – complete protection from delivery to dispense

Reliable rail fuel quality depends on controlling contamination at every stage. Our solutions work together to protect your fuel as it is received, stored, transferred and dispensed, giving your rolling stock the clean fuel it needs to perform.

Tanker offloader filtration

Stop contamination entering your depot.

Our tanker offloader filtration systems clean fuel as it is transferred from the delivery tanker into depot storage, removing particulates and water before they reach your tanks. It is the first line of defence against variable delivery quality and helps prevent contamination building up in storage over time.

  • Filters fuel at the point of delivery, before it enters storage
  • Protects depot tanks from sediment and water build-up
  • High flow rates keep offloading times short
  • Robust design suited to busy depot environments

Fixed fuel polishers

Keep your stored fuel clean, dry and in specification.

Our fixed fuel polishing systems continuously or periodically circulate the fuel in your storage tanks, removing water, sludge, particulates and microbial contamination. They are especially valuable in older tanks where corrosion and sediment are ongoing issues, helping to stabilise fuel quality and reduce the frequency and cost of tank cleaning.

  • Removes free and emulsified water, sludge and particulates
  • Prevents microbial growth and reduces tank corrosion
  • Extends the life of existing depot storage infrastructure
  • Automated operation with minimal maintenance required

Inline filtration

Clean fuel as it moves through your system.

Inline filtration installed within your depot fuel lines captures contamination as fuel is transferred between storage and fuelling points, including rust, scale and debris shed by ageing pipework. It adds a vital layer of protection across the parts of your fuel system most exposed to infrastructure-related contamination.

  • Captures contamination from ageing pipes and transfer systems
  • Protects downstream dispensing equipment
  • Configurable to your depot layout and flow requirements
  • Supports consistent fuel cleanliness across multiple fuelling points
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Last-chance filtration

The final barrier before fuel enters the train

Our last-chance filtration systems are installed at the point of dispense, filtering fuel immediately before it enters the train’s fuel tank. Positioned after all storage and pipework, they capture any contamination introduced downstream of your main filtration, making them essential protection for modern rolling stock with sensitive fuel injection systems.

  • Filters fuel at the final point before it reaches the train
  • Protects high-pressure common rail engines from particulates and water
  • Helps meet engine manufacturer fuel cleanliness requirements
  • Ideal for depots serving new or mixed fleets

BENEFITS

Benefits for rail operators and depots

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Improved fleet availability

Fewer fuel-related failures mean more units in service and fewer trains taken out of traffic.

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Protection for high-value rolling stock

Safeguard fuel injection equipment on modern engines and avoid costly repairs.

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Greater service reliability

Reduce in-service failures that affect punctuality and performance.

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Longer life from existing infrastructure

Protect your fleet without the immediate cost and disruption of replacing depot fuel systems.

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Confidence in every litre

Control fuel quality from delivery through to dispense, at every depot you operate.

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Reduced OPEX spend

Existing arrangements often result in significantly increased consumable spend as the filters need replaced more frequently. Upgrade your fuel management structure to remove this cost.

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Case Study

Diesel Defence fuel polishing preserves power for Scottish islanders

A fuel cleaning operation identified thick layers of sludge at the bottom of SSE’s two 1,000,000-litre bulk storage tanks.

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