Welling Rail Project Reaches Milestone

Global Rail Construction has successfully concluded its nine-day railway blockade and in doing so completed the supply and installation of a 200m long steel sheet piled cess wall, to stabilise the railway embankment at New Road, Welling.

The team received high praise from BAM Nuttall Operations Manager, Gareth White for the works to date:

“I wanted to send a personal email to you and your team for the works carried out last week at Barnhurst. This scheme had short timeframe from planning but from our point of view delivery was well organised and the teams professional on site. Both BAM and our Client see this scheme as a success so many thanks to you and your team.”

The remaining works to construct the Cess Walkway will be concluded during two follow up possessions in April 2020.

Global Rail Construction Limited’s civil and structural engineering capabilities take full project responsibility and offer a fully managed and integrated service for clients within the railway infrastructure. We can provide civil and structural engineering solutions from initial project planning and design, to enabling works covering site surveys, hazard and environmental assessments, procurement, onsite construction and equipment installation, through to final commissioning.

Redhill Station – Thameslink Signal Sighting Limitations Project

Global Rail Construction Limited has successfully completed its railway civil and structural engineering scope of works at Redhill railway station for WS Atkins, which forms part of the Thameslink Programme Signal Sighting Limitations project.

The work scope included the preparation of the existing platform for installation of a new modular platform extension, installation of a cable route through the platform, installation of new RA (Right Away) indicator and concrete base, new blockwork, tarmac and necessary works to existing copers, slotted sleeper installations and IBJ (Insulated Block Joints) recoveries and renewals.

GRCL managed all programme and site logistics for their works through their own dedicated Project Delivery Team. This core capability and a multi-disciplinary workforce enabled the team to complete this scheme to meet the client requirements.

The works were delivered during a combination of midweek days and nights, Saturday nights and a number of 28/52 hour railway possessions at the end of last year.

This project is part of the new 8 and 12 car Class 700 programme for Train Operator GTR, being enhanced by Network Rail and is to support the requirement for providing the necessary signal sighting at Three Bridges, East Croydon, Brighton and Redhill railway stations.

Global Rail Construction are also completing civils works at Three Bridges as part of the same programme.

GRCL Secures Steel Sheet Piling Contract for BAM

Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL), has secured a new railway civil engineering project at New Road, Welling on behalf of partner BAM. The project is located between St Johns and Crayford Creek on Network Rail’s South East Route rail infrastructure.

The core scope of GRCL’s works covers the supply and installation of 8m long steel sheet piles in order to construct a 200m long cess wall to stabilise the railway embankment. These works will be undertaken during a nine-day closure of the lines in February 2020. The full scope of works will be completed by June 2020.

Over the years, the embankment has shown signs of soil creep and localised slumping, resulted in tilted and misaligned troughing routes and ravelling of ballast from the cess shoulder onto the slope face. It is reported that the track is frequently tamped to maintain line and level. So GRCL’s scope also covers the reinstatement of the ballast shoulder and support to the cess, via the implementation of a lightweight cess support system.

Global Rail Construction are currently undertaking enabling works to prepare for their works prior the blockade. These works cover:

  • Preparation of all related Risk Assessments, Works Package Plans, Task Briefing Sheets, Programmes and Methodology statements
  • Supply, position and servicing all necessary, temporary fencing, office, welfare and ground protection for the compound on the wide payment/road

The Cess Wall Construction piling work will be commencing on 15th February 2020 and there are two follow up possessions with engineering trains to complete the Cess Walkway in May and June 2020. Works cover:

Cess Wall Construction – Blockade

  • Supply and Install 8m long steel sheet piles to construct approx 200m of cess walling, 3m from the nearest running rail on the Downline between the two LOC Staging.
  • Temporary relocation and protection of the existing S&T cables

Cess Walkway

  • Backfilling the existing cess walkway
  • Laying a new Concrete Cable Route
  • Relocating S&T cables into new troughs.
  • Fixing handrails

Global Rail Construction Limited’s civil and structural engineering capabilities take full project responsibility and offer a fully managed and integrated service for clients within the railway infrastructure.

We can provide civil and structural engineering solutions from initial project planning and design, to enabling works covering site surveys, hazard and environmental assessments, procurement, onsite construction and equipment installation, through to final commissioning.

https://www.theglobalinfrastructuregroup.com/global-rail-construction/what-we-do/civil-and-structural-engineering-and-building/

Global Rail Construction Limited’s Design Team Picks Up Award

We are delighted to announce that Global Rail Construction Limited’s design team, have been awarded a contract with Alstom covering the GRIP 4 civils design for the Swinderby Resignalling Scheme. The design programme is now underway, with Scheme Plans and Level Crossing Ground Plans due to be submitted in July and the completion of GRIP 4 in September 2020.

The team have successfully supported Alstom on a number of schemes in the past, including the Design and Build civils programme for the East Notts Modular Resignalling Scheme GRIP 5-8 works, which covered eleven Level Crossings.

The Swinderby Resignalling Scheme comprises the Resignalling and Recontrol of the Swinderby Signalling area. It will include the conversion of 4 Level Crossings and the Renewal of Swinderby Road AHB to AHB- X.

GRCL’s GRIP 4 Civil Design works will cover:

Survey

  • Non-intrusive site walkouts to areas of all works affected by scope
  • Confirmation if any local services are required to be modified/rerouted
  • Geotechnical Design/Ground Investigation report for all renewed/upgraded level crossings
  • Geotechnical assessment surveys to reduce risk of unexpected ground conditions for new signal and locations.
  • A Topographical survey of all renewed/upgraded level crossings, and a sample of REB’s, PSP, ASP, and new signal locations.
  • IBJ Surveys
  • Environmental/ecological surveys

Design

  • Provision of a Design CRE for design authority sign off
  • Civil design submissions (Forms 001/002 and 003)
  • Design Certificates
  • Details, calculations, drawings
  • AFC Designs accepted
  • Input into DRN responses
  • Design Logs
  • Designer Risk Assessments

The GRIP 4 design submissions for F001’s and F002’s will be grouped in accordance with the technical content i.e. signal bases will have their own submission, level crossing ground plans will have their own submission and at each design stage an IDC meeting will be carried out.

The design programme will be directed and managed from award to completion by the GRCL’s Design Manager. The Design Manager and Design team will be supported by Head Office resources. The team will be supported by a Ground Plan Designer, who will be embedded into the Civils Design Team. This will help to ensure that the ground plan AIP submission will have considered the necessary civils elements, eliminating the potential for issues that can occur when the design processes are separate.

Global Infrastructure Group’s design and consultancy division constantly adapts to new technology and innovation.

State-of-the-art computer-aided design and simulation systems are used to assist with analysis and design, providing significant advantages for clients by lowering project costs and reducing programmes timescales.

Our in-house activities include:

  • Civil engineering and structural design
  • Mechanical, electrical and power design
  • Telecoms design
  • CAD drafting and design including 3D modelling
  • Independent design reviews

Class 700 Signal Sighting Limitations Project

Our UK Rail Infrastructure Contractor, Global Rail Construction Limited, has been awarded a further signalling civils contract with WS Atkins at Three Bridges Station. This latest project win is hot on the heels following their recent successful delivery for the same company, covering a platform extension and associated Civils and Track (P-Way) works at Redhill Station.

The work comprises the installation of a new cantilever signal superstructure and associated transfer grillage onto 410mm steel piled foundations, the relocation of signal T280 onto a new structure and the demolition of existing structure. The scope of works also covers the installation of RA offset signal structure and installation of a raised GRP platform for maintenance access. These works will provide the required signal sighting distance for normal and turnback operation of 12-car full length units (FLU) on Platform 1

This latest success follows the introduction of the new 8-car and 12-car Class for Train Operator GTR, being enhanced by Network Rail and is to support the requirement for providing the necessary signal sighting at Three Bridges, East Croydon, Brighton and Redhill railway stations.

The location of the new T280 signal is to be moved approximately 20.5m towards London from the centre bridge abutment to behind the London End abutment and wingwall. This will permit turn-back moves of FLU Thameslink Trains towards both London and country. An area of Network Rail land has been identified as the proposed location between the abutment and wingwall of underbridge VTB3/125. The abutment front wall is reinforced concrete faced with masonry and the wing wall is masonry with concrete fill to the rear. The ground signal T1192 located on the existing T280 signal gantry will be repositioned on a new post fixed to the base of the existing signal gantry which will remain in-situ once the gantry is removed.

The lines are powered by 750V D.C. conductor rails, which extend throughout the works area. There is an existing raised GRP walkway running parallel to the siding line which steps down to track level at the London side of the proposed structure. It is proposed to install a raised GRP platform butting up against the existing raised walkway for maintenance access. There are a large amount of surface cables running out of the existing cable trough, these will need to be managed prior to construction works.

Global Rail Construction’s works will include all necessary traffic management, materials logistics and works planning and site management and will be fully controlled by GRCL’s Southern based Contract Management team.

Thameslink Metropolitan Reversible Cable Containment Works Success for GRCL

GRCL are delighted to announce the award of a Civils and E&P contract on behalf of long-term partner BAM, covering the completion of cable containment works between London Bridge and Cannon Street.

The full scope of this contract is to conclude residual works from the original Thameslink Key Output 2 (KO2), with the majority of the works being carried out in the central section inside Greater London.

The award supports the relocation of the DC feeders currently running down the West side of the Metropolitan Reversible Line between Metropolitan Junction and Cannon Street South Junction. The cables are currently surface laid and will be relocated into three newly installed GRP trough routes, by GRCL’s experienced railway civils team.

Running adjacent to the current location of the feeder cables is potentially an HV feeder cable(s) which will also require an HV assessment. This will be carried out before the main works under a line block using site warden protection. The conclusion of the resulting report may be the requirement for an HV competent person to be present during the works.

The Location of the works is in the cess to the West of the single reversible track Metropolitan Line, approximately between 01m40ch CSW to 01m45ch CSW. The Site will be accessed from Red Cross Way via the access steps between the Snowhill Lines and the Metropolitan Line. Outside of the main Week 39 works, a line block of the Metropolitan line will be required to safely access the work area.

Works will commence from 16th December 2019, when the materials will be delivered to Red Cross Way compound. During the main works, the bulk of the materials will be transported to Ewer Street RRAP and transported to the worksite using an RRV.

 

GRCL selected for Redhill Station Platform Extension Works

Global Rail Construction has been awarded a civils contract on behalf of WS Atkins, for a platform extension at Redhill Station.

The scope of works includes:

  • Preparation of the existing platform for installation of a new modular platform extension
  • Installation of a cable route through the platform
  • Installation of new RA (Right Away) Indicator and concrete base
  • All blockwork, tarmac and necessary works to existing copers
  • Slotted sleeper installations and IBJ (Insulated Block Joints) recoveries and renewals

The project is being delivered on key weekends commencing in week 29 and also during mid-week nights.

This project is part of the new 8 and 12 car Class 700 programme for Train Operator GTR, being enhanced by Network Rail and is to support the requirement for providing the necessary signal sighting at Three Bridges, East Croydon, Brighton and Redhill railway stations.

The works will include all necessary logistics and planning management and will be fully controlled by GRCL’s project management team.

UK’s GRCL Partners Up with Hedson Rail for Track Works on Wessex

Our UK Rail business, Global Rail Construction Limited and Hedson Rail Limited have formed a strategic partnership, to successfully secure Phase 2 of the Track Delivery work bank on behalf of Network Rail’s Works Delivery team on the Wessex Route.

The contract will see both companies working together to deliver track maintenance and renewals works, initially between October 2019 and April 2020 on one of the UK’s busiest rail routes. Global Rail Construction will be acting as programme manager for the works, with Hedson Rail delivering the responsible engineering and technical requirements.

The works programme, which specifically covers Heavy, Medium and Light Plain Line and S&C Track Refurbishment and Re-Railing, will see the team working in locations throughout the Wessex Route which runs from South-West London as well as from London Waterloo to the South and South-West of England taking in all or part of the counties of Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire.

This is not the first time the businesses have worked together, with successful track works already completed in the South East – this burgeoning partnership is something that both businesses are very proud of.

GRCL’s UK MD Marco Lombardelli summarised this further, saying:

“As a business, we are always looking to increase our opportunities and saw this as the perfect target. We are delighted therefore, that our programme management capabilities coupled with Hedson Rail specific track engineering and site delivery capabilities were seen as the right solution for Network Rail.

We believe that the right partnerships can add enormous value and will continue to develop existing and seek out future strategic partners, in order to grow our capabilities. We are delighted to add a track arm in conjunction with Hedson Rail to our UK offering, which now aligns our model with the worldwide offering that can be found in both our Irish and Australian businesses.

We are able to design, build and execute a full multi-disciplinary track project by adding Track, to our existing and established successful offerings in Civil Engineering and Building, Power and Signalling.

I am pleased with this new contract and send a thank you to the team who helped make this possible.”

Martin Hedley, MD of Hedson Rail also added:

“Delivering track projects in Wessex and the South East has been a strategic target for Hedson Rail for some time and we are delighted to have formed the partnership with GRCL to make this possible. We are a local business that know the Wessex route well and in collaboration with Network Rail Works Delivery, we have absolute confidence in our team to successfully deliver the challenging work bank.”

Richmond to Gunnersbury D&B Civils Completion

UK Rail Infrastructure Contractor, Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL) has completed 4000m of TTS troughing installation works on the LUL Network between Richmond to Gunnersbury on behalf of BAM.

Having already successfully completed the Design works for this Cable Route Management System route as part of a separate contract with BAM, this contract completion highlights the strength of Global Rail Construction Limited’s (GRCL’s) integrated end to end, in-house Design and Construct capabilities.

These works form part of the wider modernisation and up-grading the Sub-Surface Railway network, comprising of the Metropolitan, District, Circle and Hammersmith & City Lines, whereby Network Rail is required to design and build new Cable Route Management Systems to support primary Power/Signal cables from Turnham Green to Richmond.

Operations Director, Sean Donaghey added:

“Very pleased with the completion of this important contract. We look forward to working with our long-term partner BAM again soon.”

GRCL offer rail infrastructure contracting services on a design and construct basis. Our capabilities support the latest technology, management and engineering know-how, which allow us to deliver high profile projects throughout the UK rail network on both Transport for London and Network Rail infrastructures.

Global Rail Construction Secures Civil Works at Kettering

Railway Civil Engineering Contractor, Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL), has been awarded a sub-contract on behalf of Amey Plc at Kettering Station.

Works include the management, procurement and installation of 5No x 260m long reinforced concrete siding walkways, including access ramps and a retaining wall at Kettering Station Sidings. Access for these works necessitates the requirement for works to be completed by concrete pump or with the use of Road Rail Vehicles (RRV’s). All works will be completed during normal daytime working.

The sub-base and track construction being installed by Amey will be completed in advance of GRCL’s walkway construction.

There are two projects ongoing at Kettering:

  • Creation of Kettering Electric Stabling (KES) depot to provide a light maintenance and stabling facility for electric rolling stock to run between London St Pancras and Corby and
  • Station improvement works will see platform extensions and electrification of the railway lines to accommodate electric trains from May 2020 and;

These rail projects form part of the wider Midland Mainline Programme which, from 2020, will enable improved services between Corby, Kettering and London – with over 1000 additional extra seats into London during the peak, an increase of around 50% and faster intercity journey times on greener trains.

GRCL’s works will commence in August 2019 and will be completed by the end of year.

UK MD, Marco Lombardelli, also added;

“As an approved supplier to Amey, we are pleased to be working together again.

“Global Rail Construction’s capabilities support the latest technology, management and engineering know-how, which will allow us to deliver this rail project and our services to the highest standards of quality and safety.”

GRCL applies its skills to railway new build, refurbishment and maintenance projects, activities include:

  • Condition and dilapidation surveys
  • Demolition and remediation
  • Temporary works
  • Utility services enabling and diversion
  • Ground and site investigation
  • Site excavation and enabling works
  • New build and refurbishment (Sub-Stations, Platforms, Station buildings)
  • Road construction
  • Embankment works and retaining structures
  • In-situ and precast concreting works

Learn more about our Civil and Structural Engineering capabilities here: https://www.theglobalinfrastructuregroup.com/global-rail-construction/what-we-do/civil-and-structural-engineering-and-building/