Global Rail Services Limited (GRSL) are pleased to confirm that the first passengers were able to use the newly constructed Linkspan Bridge on 3^rd July 2020, just 4 weeks after it was taken out of commission, following the successful completion of their contract for the complex replacement of the Berth 1 Linkspan upper deck transition ramp for Irish Rail. Although the works are contracted by Irish Rail, because the location was inside Rosslare Harbour, GRSL were working under the daily jurisdiction of Rosslare Europort.

The works to the upper tier, which were conducted to a demanding berthing schedule, where the lower tier had to remain operational, to enable ferries to operate normally. Activities were planned around a live working International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS), and specifically comprised the removal of the existing and installation of a new transition ramp at Berth 1, on the Upper Tiered Linkspan, to accommodate the new WB Yeats Ferry.

GRSL’s contract, which commenced on 4^th June 2020, provided for the following civil works:

• Prefabrication and delivery of the new ramp, torsion beam, fingers and handrails;
• The removal of existing transitional ramp, torsion beam, hydraulic arms, and mid bearings;
• Installation of the new ramp on site;
• Commissioning and testing of the new transitional ramp;

Following completion of this contract, GRSL have increased the previous linkspan by 1.6m and in doing so, installed nearly 40 tonnes of heavy structural steel section to an Execution Level of 3 (EXC3) standard.

During the project a number of challenges were encountered and expertly met by GRSL’s team of structural, civil and project managers, whilst still maintaining program, these included:

• The structural steel was required to be at an Execution Level of 3 (bridge standard), which required ultrasonic testing of the welds and third-party inspections;
• Conducting the works in a restricted access facility and by its very nature a live port and marine environment;
• Delivering a project which was effectively a moving bridge, that actually connects to the back of a boat when moored and with vehicles traversing between;
• The work was at the water’s edge;
• Project and site requirements for both the client (Irish Rail) and at the harbour for Rosslare Europort;
• Due to Covid-19, structural steel deliveries were challenging, which meant GRSL had to send lorries to the UK to collect the steel;
• All connections and bolts on the existing bridge were welded, so the elements had to be cut out as they could not be unbolted;
• On removal of the existing torsion beam, the bearings were unserviceable on first inspection and had to be replaced at short notice;
• The as-built drawings were incorrect, which meant adaptations to design after site investigations, internal strengthening of the torsion beam, alternate lifting points and alterations to the actuator arms.

GRSL Contracts Manager Paul Connell, was closely involved and added:

“This complex, fast-track project has been successfully completed within the allocated shut down. We have worked closely with our sub-contractor JA Engineering, Irish Rail & Rosslare Harbour to deliver these works.

“Despite the unforeseen challenges faced, particularly in the current climate, the works have been completed to the delight of the customer – Irish Rail – and the end user Rosslare Europort. I take my hat off to all those involved in successfully executing a very bespoke project.”

In these extremely challenging times, both Ivan and I would like to share our heartfelt support and solidarity with you and your families. At Global, the health and safety of our worldwide colleagues, customers, partners and the communities in which we serve is our number one priority. We have a legacy of responsible business and we are committed to doing all that we can to keep everyone safe and healthy, every day.

We are extremely proud of and grateful to all our committed teams who deliver every day to ensure business continuity. We have been taking strict precautions to protect them and their families, while maintaining customer service. Many of our rail, telecoms and construction works and of course our 24/7 emergency crews are essential, as we play an important part in maintaining and enhancing critical infrastructure. As a result, we have made extensive contingency plans to secure our supply chain and ongoing business. We are following the advice of all governments and public health authorities, and have proactively implemented a range of precautionary measures, from stringent sanitation and cleaning protocols, to workplace distancing, and a worldwide travel ban, by putting our people first.

Team GIG, thank you for your continued endeavour and trust and please do stay safe.

Best Regards,

Marco and Ivan

Our Irish and UK businesses have successfully completed re-certification audits of their respective company Health, Safety and Quality Management systems.

Both Global Rail Services Limited (Ireland) and Global Rail Construction Limited (UK) included a challenging migration audit from OHSAS 18001 to the new Occupational Health and Safety Standard ISO 45001:2018.

Global Rail Services also successfully completed an audit of their ISO 9001:2015, which provides continuation of their ISO 9001 certification.

The Irish audits also covers the projects of GRA Networks Ireland – our Irish Telecoms Division.

Both UK and Irish businesses received no non-compliances – a fantastic achievement.

Our Global Family in Australia – Global Rail Australia Pty Limited and GRA Networks Australia – are just commencing the same migration process and we hope to report their progression very soon.

Co-Owner Marco Lombardelli added:

“Thanks to everyone involved for your continued support of our countrywide management systems, and a special mention to those of you who were directly involved in the audits conducted at our sites and respective Hatfield and Dublin offices.

“Your efforts are appreciated – keep up the good work.”

Global Rail Services Limited are pleased to announce the successful renovation of Progressive Credit Union’s (PCU) new facility on East Road, Dublin. PCU provides banking services to over 60,000 members in North Dublin locations and beyond.

The contract, which commenced in December 2019, covered the management and delivery of a fast-track program of high-quality refurbishments including Building, Mechanical & Electrical works. This called upon the depth of GRSL’s organisation, with in house management and operatives across the full suite of fit-out trades working together in unison to successfully complete these works.

Site activities were meticulously planned and required careful co-ordination with several specialist Progressive Credit Union business services providers, including IT, secure comms and other security interface specialists, for items such as counters and security doors. GRSL worked closely with appointed Architect Rankin Associates and key stakeholders from PCU throughout.

During such a compressed program a number of challenges were both faced and solved by the team.

• Mechanical, Electrical and Fire Systems design was unapproved, which meant that GRSL worked collaboratively with the Rankin Associates team – whilst co-ordinating with the PCU business service providers – in order to deliver and produce the MEF drawings that were approved and utilised for the project.
• The ceiling void was extremely low, which meant that all services were very tight to the ceiling. The team procured and installed specific cassette ventilation and heating systems in a short timeframe to meet the space requirements.
• A leak was encountered during the build phase which came from the flats above. This slowed works down, however, our teams worked over several weekends to stay on track.
• Interior Design was concluded during the works program. This meant that the external signage could not be procured in time. GRSL instead installed suitable temporary signage for the branch opening and then returned to install the new signs afterwards.

With only a 12-week fixed timeframe, due to Progressive Credit Union having already sold their existing premises, Global Rail Services Limited, who were appointed as the Project Supervisor Construction Stage, used every spare minute to complete. The team commissioned on the Friday night before the opening, when the keys were handed over, providing a fully operational Progressive Credit Union facility, to the delight of all concerned.

Contracts Manager, Paul Connell was quick to praise the strength in depth of GRSL’s impressive turnkey fit-out solution:

“Our one-stop solution from acquisition through to project completion, provides a tailored service to each individual client’s requirements. Having a fully managed service and dedicated in-house construction, mechanical and electrical teams, allows us to co-ordinate time pressured schemes and delight our clients even when challenges are faced.”

Global Rail Services Limited provide a turnkey building/construction solution for railway, private housing, commercial and industrial projects. Services also include general contracting and building work and can be offered as standalone disciplines in addition to the fully managed turnkey service and works can be contracted on a main contract, joint venture, sub-contract, or resource only basis.

Services offered include but are not limited to:

• Design
• Commercial & industrial construction
• Sub-station construction
• Railway station new build and refurbishment
• Telecom and signalling room construction
• Mechanical and electrical
• Project Management
• Resource supply

Dublin based Global Rail Services, has had it’s licence renewed by The Private Security Authority (PSA). We are delighted that our Irish team have passed the necessary scrutiny of their operations. This accreditation is fundamental to the company’s CCTV and Access Control projects, as the PSA is the statutory body with responsibility for licensing and regulating the private security industry in Ireland.

Our M&E team – led by Director Aidan Kelly – have successfully delivered crucial projects for Irish Rail and a number of other infrastructure clients and this accreditation provides all future customers with the required project surety for Private Security Access programs.

Mechanical & electrical services provided by Global Rail Services are constantly upgraded through training and development and are consistently delivered to the highest specification. Design and project management of these specialist services are deployed on a wide range of rail, utilities and energy projects including: 

• Commercial and industrial
• Private domestic
• Bespoke installations
• Site enabling field works
• Fibre splicing & copper jointing
• Clean earth systems
• Telecom and signalling room fit outs
• Electrical maintenance
• Access and security systems including CCTV
• Fire alarms
• Lighting control systems
• Building management & control

Dublin based Global Rail Services Limited, has appointed Paul Connell as a Contracts Manager.

Paul will be responsible for the management of multiple project teams to ensure the safe delivery of projects on time and within budget to the stated quality and customer’s satisfaction.

Paul is a Civil Engineer by training, having studied Civil Engineering at Loughborough University, achieving a BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering with a diploma in Industrial Studies. He then continued his personal development and in 2017 became a Chartered Civil Engineer.

Paul’s engineering experience covers a number of industries including Rail, Civil Engineering, Construction and Utilities over the past 20 years.

Prior to joining GRSL he was a Project Manager, working on various building, rail, roads, bridge, commercial and airport projects.

General Manager Tom Staunton commented on this appointment by saying:

“Paul’s all-round experience will add value to our business. His experience of the complete project lifecycle from pre-qualification and bid preparation, through to project execution and completion, will enhance our offering further.

“We all look forward to working with him.”

Global Rail Services Limited (GRSL) is pleased to confirm the promotion of Aidan Kelly to MEP Director. The Rail and Infrastructure contracting specialist which delivers the design and project management of these specialist services, is delighted with this appointment. It is full testament to the commitment and passion that Aidan has provided during a career which spans over twenty years in the Mechanical, Electrical & Power sector.

His role going forward, will involve autonomously running our in-house MEP Division -a core competency within the company – whilst liaising with the other business divisional Directors.

Whilst an ability to bring in additional business is always welcome; the role will concentrate on growing further and developing the existing engineering capability of the organisation with a competent and efficient in-house MEP team, delivering cost effective solutions to the various existing and new projects.

Ivan Holloway, CEO of Global Rail Services also added:

“Aidan is a qualified professional with suitable certifications and accreditation to reflect his seniority in the industry and has spent a number of successful years with us, supporting the management and delivery of Mechanical, Electrical & Power works for our customers. This new role is well deserved, and we look forward to him to developing our MEP offering substantially over the coming years.”

GRSL are deployed on a wide range of rail, utilities and energy projects including:

• Commercial and industrial
• Private domestic
• Bespoke installations
• Site enabling field works
• Fibre splicing & copper jointing
• Clean earth systems
• Telecom and signalling room fit outs
• Electrical maintenance
• Access and security systems including CCTV
• Fire alarms
• Lighting control systems
• Building management & control

Global Rail Services have had another successful weekend working on its contract for Irish Rail, constructing the new Limerick Junction Down Platform and Footbridge Works

The team has successfully completed its latest contract milestone, by completing the assembly and installation of all steelwork for the new footbridge.

The works were undertaken between 12^th and 23^rd August 2019, utilising a combination of normal daytime working hours within a green zone and midweek night-time possession working hours between 11pm and 5am – all in agreement with Irish Rail.

The works included a number of carefully planned stages which included:

1. Site Set Up

• All plant set up in advance of the works within the confines of the site perimeter in a green zone. A large zone for working was built and fenced at the back of the of the new down platform and the new tracks have been ballasted out to allow access up the new platform.

2. Delivery and assembly of the Structural Steel Footbridge

• All pre galvanized, pre painted structural steel, mesh panels, handrails, stainless steel items for the new bridge frame delivered into the green zone and carefully unloaded with the GRS teleported and stacked for assembly
• The main bridge portal placed onto a prefabricated temp support frame and bolted into position. When all portal frames were in place all supports and braces were placed and secured into their final position in line with the AFC Fabrication drawings.
• On completion of the steel support frame the Woven Wire mesh panels were placed and aligned into the required position and secured with SS SHS sections and 60x5mm flat as per the AFC drawings.
• The entire section for the footbridge was completed and checked against the existing sleeves on the footbridge and confirmed that the structure fits when lifted into position in line with the AFC drawings
• Horizontal Ties were installed across each portal frame to support the frame during lifting.

3. Stair Steel Assembly

• Anchor bolts were installed into the side of the stairs to the required centres utilising a small MEWP placed on the platform behind fencing within a green zone.
• Drilling holes within a green zone with the exception of the Cork line side of the up platform, which was completed under possession as this section of platform is live during the day. GRSL made every effort to pre-drill as much as possible within a green zone environment to speed up the possession works.
• The stairs steel frame units which consist of 2 nr uprights and 1 nr cross member were assembled on the ground in line with the AFC drawings.

4. Main Bridge and Up Platform Stairs

• The main bridge steel and the up-platform stairs steel, were then installed under possession with a 90t crane
• The bridge steel on the down platform was installed and placed from the back of the platform with the aid of the GRS teleporter. Each frame was lifted and guided into position by our team from Hyland Engineering, with slings onto pre-drilled bolts to the required line and level. Once in position each frame was bolted and secured into its final position
• Each frame was then connected with the horizontal running beams as per the AFC drawings. All beams were lined up and bolted into position

5. Installation of Handrails and Woven wire mesh to stairs

• All materials were placed onto the platform with the teleporter and carried across the footbridge and stairs to their final position in a green zone
• All Woven Wire mesh panels were then placed and aligned into the required position and secured with SS SHS sections and 60x5mm flat as per the AFC drawings.

6. Installation of Avigilon IP camera system on stairwells and footbridge

• Avigilon IP cameras were installed onto the steel work of the new footbridge and stairwells to capture and record 360° video footage 24hrs a day
• Steel conduit was installed onto the steel work from the newly built service rooms under each stairwell, up to the location of each IP camera.
• A CAT5 network cable was installed via newly installed conduit, from the new IP Network switch in service rooms to the IP cameras
• All IP cameras were tested from the from the station controller’s office and images agreed by Irish rail

7. Installation of lighting system on stairwells and footbridge

• Once the steel work of the bridge arrived on site it was examined, a few proposals were put forward for the best and neatest way of installing the cabling for the proposed luminaires.
• An installation design and method was agreed before the steelwork was erected.
• Once the steel work was installed the electricians worked on all sections of the stairwells and footbridge at the one time
• MEWPs and ladders were used for height access
• Steel conduit was installed from the newly installed service rooms under stairwells up to the steel work of the stairwells and footbridge
• 03No of lighting circuits were installed from the newly installed distribution boards in service rooms under stairwells, up to the proposed luminaires
• These lighting circuits were wired with four core 2.5mmsq Silflex cable
• This Silflex cable was installed via the box section of the steel work and the newly installed steel conduit
• The luminaires were installed into position as per AFC drawings
• All luminaires were terminated and tested as to ETCI regulations

On completion of this milestone, the works were successfully inspected and signed off by Irish Rail.

Global Rail Services are managing and delivering these works as part of a new €2.5m project at Limerick Junction on behalf of Irish Rail. The overall objective via the implementation of this scheme is to deliver improved journey times and provide timetable enhancements on the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Limerick lines, which are currently restricted by a platform conflict at Limerick Junction.

A big thanks to all involved for their dedication to ensure the safe and successful completion of another important project milestone.

Global Rail Services are delighted to announce their successful installation of a new Precast Concrete Footbridge at Limerick Junction Station.

The footbridge is a staggering 20m long and weighs in at nearly 100 tonnes and was installed utilising 1nr 500 tonne crane and 1nr 300 tonne crane lifting in tandem, in order to install the structure to its final resting place.

The works were safely completed on Wednesday Night 10th April 2019, during a mid-week night TIII possession of the railway between 11pm to 5am.

The footbridge installation works were fully managed and co-ordinated by Global Rail Services’ Project and Site Management Team in conjunction with supply chain partners, Shay Murtagh Precast, who supplied the bridge and Kavanagh Crane Hire.

Global Rail Services are managing and delivering these works as part of a new €2.5m project at Limerick Junction on behalf of Irish Rail. The complete rail project involves construction of a new 260m precast concrete platform, the production, delivery and installation of the new Precast Concrete footbridge, stairs and lift shafts on piled foundations including all associated structural steelwork and all associated electrical and station/platform infrastructure.

The overall objective via the implementation of this scheme is to deliver improved journey times and provide timetable enhancements on the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Limerick lines, which are currently restricted by a platform conflict at Limerick Junction.

Works are being completed both between trains and during railway possessions and are due to continue until June 2019.

Congratulations and a very big thanks to all involved for their dedication and many months of hard work, to ensure the safe and successful completion of this very important project milestone.

The M&E Division of Global Rail Services Ltd (GRSL) has been awarded a contract with Irish Rail, to replace the existing life expired Mechanical and Electrical systems in Heuston Valeting Plant (HVP).

HVP is a currently unused facility within the confines of Heuston Station, Dublin. However, the site and its surrounding areas are busy at all times, especially in peak hours from 07.00 to 10.00 and from 16.00 to 19.00. GRSL has put forward a 24 hour – 7 day a week contract programme of works, which takes cognisance of this, particularly in relation to the delivery and movement of materials and the licenced disposal of waste. Normal access to HVP is via a subway.

GRSL has also been appointed to the role of Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) for the project, complying with the Safety, Health & Welfare At Work Act, and all legislation appropriate to the work in question including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction Regulations) 2006 and any subsequent amendments.

The project scope of works includes:

1. Surveying the building, to confirm the dimensions of area/rooms, confirm the proposed routes and issue design proposals;

2. The safe removal and disposal of any residual Mechanical and Electrical systems and hazardous substances;

3. The design and installation of new high efficiency modulating boilers, connectivity to a new oil storage tank and the provision of new pumps, valves etc;

4. The fabrication and installation of new connective pipes, air ducts, cable containment and cabling;

5. The fabrication and installation of Form 4 type 2 electrical switch panels, BMS control equipment and panels, cable containment and cabling;

6. All Electrical services, BMS heating controls, Fire Detection and remote fault monitoring;

7. All builders’ works in conjunction with coring walls, installing fire sheathing, fire doors and with the clearing of waste and discarded materials

Mechanical and Electrical services provided by Global Rail Services are constantly upgraded through training and development and are consistently delivered to the highest specification. Design and project management of these specialist services are deployed on a wide range of rail, utilities and energy projects including:

• Commercial and industrial
• Private domestic
• Bespoke installations
• Site enabling field works
• Fibre splicing & copper jointing
• Clean earth systems
• Telecom and signalling room fit outs
• Electrical maintenance
• Access and security systems including CCTV
• Fire alarms
• Lighting control systems
• Building management & control