Southco on track with rail industry trends

The best learning from InnoTrans for Southco was confirmation that the trends shaping the design of rail carriages are the ones its product offering is built around.

Visual indication

Maintenance staff must be able to easily tell whether a rail-carriage panel is securely latched. Clear visual indicators were a prominent design feature on most carriages displayed at the show, underlining the importance of access hardware playing a key role in averting the risk of potential safety oversights.

Southco had its full portfolio of 'Make Safety Visible By Southco' products on display, which feature visual latch indicators to instantly spot unsecured panels from a distance. The latches feature either reflective wings which deploy when the latch is opened and only retract when the latch is fully secure or a bi-stable cover that will stay open and cannot be closed as long as the product is unlatched.

Southco also showcased a range of latches with colour-coded markings etched into the latch face, making maintenance procedures easier and less prone to errors. Since Southco launched this range of rail security products a couple of years ago, it has continuously evolved. The manufacturer now offers a wide selection of visual latch indicator styles as well as a broad choice of latch body materials and head style options.

Protection against vandalism

Rail carriages are vulnerable to vandalism, particularly where hardware is exposed. Operators therefore favour tamper-resistant components that prevent forced entry and remain reliable over years of service. These rugged designs reduce downtime and repair costs while helping passengers feel secure. At InnoTrans, concealed latching mechanisms for ceiling panels were a common feature.

Southco demonstrated its Rotary Latching system at its booth which is a system of latch body, actuator and cable all hidden behind the panel, leaving no obvious point of attack for anyone attempting to gain unauthorised access. Being able to actuate the latch remotely is an additional security feature that Southco offers.

Protection against cyberthreats

The rail industry's focus on cybersecurity was unmistakable at InnoTrans, particularly as the EU Cybersecurity Act is coming into effect. Visitors to the Southco booth were amongst the first to discover Southco's brand-new range of High Security E5 Cam and E3 VISE ACTION Compression Latches that support the emerging high security needs of the market driven by the transformation of rail into a connected industry and the rising risks associated with this change.

Southco's new high security access hardware solution combines the proven robustness and vibration- and corrosion-resistance of its industry-leading E5 Cam and E3 VISE ACTION Compression latch range with distinct physical security features such as an anti-drill head style, up to four million key code combinations, visual latch status indicators and key removeable or key retained options.

A spokesperson for Southco said: "At InnoTrans, the pulse of the industry could be felt across the halls, and it was a great takeaway to see that Southco's product portfolio is right in step."