feature
Protecting signals for Amington Jcn looking to the
south. These are LED signals mounted on Crown posts
and can be wound up into the cages for maintenance.
The traditional 650v signalling supply the gate box at Hademore level crossing, One of the major
has been replaced by a new 400v 3 the level crossing itself having closed in advantages of
phase manually configurable power December 2006. The ex-LNWR structure commissioning a
supply system. The primary supply to the just to the south of Lichfield was removed scheme in this
signalling and telecoms systems is from and donated to Chasewater Railway as manner is that
the overhead line (OHLE), with the part of the early works because it stood in everything can largely
secondary supply from the Distribution the way of the two additional lines which be tested and ready
Network Operator (DNO). A 12 hour were to be built. A new bridge was built before the
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to the north of the site, maintaining changeover. The SSI
further backs up the first two at each access to the local area and supervision of systems had already
Principle Supply Point (PSP). Distribution the existing signals and telephones was been energised,
of power is along both sides of the temporarily transferred to Lichfield Trent signals and indicators
railway, again for providing diversity. Valley No.1 signal box as part of the early tested and points
signalling enabling works carried out by operation rehearsed
Telecomms Carillion. from Rugby SCC prior
SSL has an in-house telecoms group Lichfield Trent Valley No.1 signalbox was to Easter and the
based in Derby under the direction of de-commissioned on 24th May 2008 August
Adrian Smyth. The team was responsible during the first commissioning stage and commissionings.
for the delivery of the telecoms elements was demolished shortly afterwards. No Similarly the axle
of the TV4 project. This included design, more can you stand there and feel the counters were all
install & commissioning of copper and box shake and sway as a heavy freight working and trains
fibre connections into Network Rail Fixed train rumbles by. The final signalbox to be could be monitored,
Telecoms Network (FTN), SSI transmission abolished as part of the scheme was even though the
over the new FTN and Signal Post Tamworth Low Level, which closed at the original track
Telephones (SPT) from all the new signals start of the 16 day blockade. The box was circuits were still
back to a concentrator at Rugby, which demolished on the 22nd September 2008. working. All this
was upgraded by SSL to cater for all WCML preparation
project requirements. Commissioning significantly
The local Extension Trunk Dialling (ETD) The Projects commissioning strategy, reduces the risk
phone infrastructure has been transferred supported by Tony Cotterell as Tester in associated with
into new cables and onto the FTN. They Charge (TiC) on behalf of SSL, changed the final
also undertook some fibre cable diversion considerably throughout the project. commissioning and affords a high degree New Down Slow
work on behalf of Global Crossing and Originally to be commissioned in nine of confidence that everything will come to Down Fast
Network Rail to enable new cable routes small stages and completed by Easter together as a working system. connection at
to be installed and some retail 2007, the final solution was to On 7th September the final test saw Amington Jcn
communications work associated with the commission in three stages, two major an electric Pendolino train run under the looking to the
platform extensions at Lichfield. and one minor. The northern two control of the Network Rail T&C Engineer south. The torsion
interlockings and part of the middle two Miskeen Rahman, as a full integration back drive system
Recoveries interlockings were commissioned at test. The line was signed into use for is clearly visible in
As a consequence of centralising the Easter 2008, the remainder over August normal services to run the next morning. the centre of the
control of the Trent Valley on Rugby SCC, bank holiday 2008 as part of the sixteen Another major step to the future success track.
a number of existing mechanical signal day blockade. A later minor stage will of the WCML and an ability to provide
boxes were abolished by the project. On commission the LOD(T)s and the bi- additional train paths has been
the 18th March 2007 the first closure was directional facilities. completed.
october 2008 | the rail engineer | 27
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