Trent Valley Four Tracking (TV4T) Enabling Works
Client:
Network Rail
Description:
The West Coast Main Line (WCML) is the busiest mixed-traffic line in Europe, and a key route connecting the Midlands, North West and Scotland with London. The route will be widened from two to four tracks, straightened and re-signalled. This upgrade will facilitate an increase in route capacity and will improve maintainability whilst limiting disruption to train services. The TV4T project forms a major part of the programme of works required to deliver this modernised West Coast Main Line. The final changeover is to be achieved in two stages.
Client Issues:
A primary concern of the client is to ensure that the WCML remains operational throughout the duration of the works and that the impact to both rail and highways traffic is kept to a minimum. To facilitate this during the upgrade to a four-track railway, a series of critical enabling works stages were implemented first, based on the existing relay technology.
Our Solution:
As Network Rail’s chosen supplier of signalling design and support, MGB was tasked with providing a design for the TV4 enabling works. The design allowed for the upgrade of existing signalling circuits to conform to the latest standards as well as the rationalisation of trackside location cases and track circuits. Following our ethos of standardisation and efficient design we were able to reduce the number of trackside location cases from 100 to just 45 new locations. These locations were also built, inspected and fully functionally tested by MGB before being delivered to site. Early delivery of the REBs was arranged to facilitate lifting the buildings onto their bases with the remaining installation and testing being completed trackside.
In addition to this design, build and test work, MGB has also provided Project Engineering and technical support for the TV4 project with a number of senior engineers being seconded to Network Rail for the duration of the works. With the enabling works nearing completion, MGB is now providing the signalling design, build and test of location cases and relocatable equipment buildings (REBs) for the final SSI scheme. To maintain a effective working relationship with the client, the MGB project manager is based at the project office at least two days per week.
Services Provided:
- Signalling design
- Location area plan design
- Bonding plan production across the project and IDR / IDC meeting attendance
- Detailed design
- Installation test & commissioning (ITC) support
- Project management
Other Projects Include:
Colchester Clacton – Design and construction of location cases and REBs for the re-signalling project.
WCRM-TV4T – Construction and test of location cases for enabling works and final re-signalling. Production of specifications, location area plans, bonding records. Project engineering assistance, signal sighting, site assurance, source record management. Enabling works core design.
Alcatel Telecom Limited – Construction of power distribution units and power equipment racks for Tube Lines Jubilee & Northern Lines Upgrade.
WCRM – Rugby Station Construction test and supply of enabling works location cases.
Mickle Trafford & LSE WCRM – Provision of IRSE licensed design check support for location cases and REBs. Checking of line speed enhancement designs for WCRM.
Docklands Light Railway – Construction of relay racks for Docklands Light Railway.
WCRM – Ansaldo Segnalamento Ferroviario (ASF) – Internal fit-out of 32 Computer Based Interlocking (CBI) Equipment Buildings Systems integration Provision of engineering support to adapt CBI to Network Rail standards.