18.09.17
Enabling the Great North Rail Project
Source: RTM Aug/Sep 17
Mark Bellew writing on behalf of Network Rail discusses progress on the company’s Great North Rail Project, and the signalling that underpins the major infrastructure schemes.
The Great North Rail Project is in full swing with a number of improvements on its way for the region. The Ordsall Chord, providing new links to Manchester Airport from the north, the biggest upgrade seen at Liverpool Lime Street since the 19th century and North West Electrification are just some of the schemes underway to improve rail travel for passengers in the north.
Signalling plays an integral part of the schemes, particularly for North West Electrification. In Bolton, for example, work between 12-27 August to upgrade the station, as part of electrifying the route from Manchester to Preston, included installing 65 signals. These were either brand new or replacing existing, older versions. As part of the whole project, signalling work is taking place across the 26-mile route from Salford Crescent to Euxton junction.
The Ordsall Chord, which will link Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria for the first time, has and will continue to see a significant signalling programme until completion by December 2017. During Easter, as well as over 1,000 metres of new track and 3,500 tonnes of ballast being laid between Ordsall Lane and Deal Street, signals and 25kv overhead line equipment was installed. Overall, the project will see 12 new signal gantries, 500km of cable length and 66 new or altered LED signals.
Other projects in the North West Electrification portfolio are Phase 3, which is the full re-signalling of the Preston to Blackpool North Line including upgrading and the re-modelling of Kirkham & Wesham and Blackpool North stations; Phase 5 re-signals between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge; and the Huyton to Roby project finalises with the addition of a fourth track in the area, enhancing capacity for the future growth of rail in the north west.
All of these schemes are implementing the Siemens Westlock interlocking system to control the signalling and, with the exception of the Bolton scheme, they will all be controlled from the Manchester ROC (Rail Operating Centre) based at Ashburys.
Chris Montgomery, Network Rail’s major programme director, said: “The Great North Rail Project is a fine example of how signalling work contributes significantly to these major pieces of work. Without the latest signalling technology, trains would simply not be able to run over these new pieces of infrastructure and lines, resulting in passengers not feeling the benefit of an improved service when they are completed.
“It is an exciting time for rail travel in the region, with commuters being able to catch faster, more frequent and greener trains with better connections between major towns and cities.”
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