UK Rail Infrastructure Contractor, Global Rail Construction Limited, has successfully completed the Railway Electrification and Power (E&P) and Ancillary Civils, on the Felixstowe Capacity Upgrade Project between Ipswich and Felixstowe.

The project was a rail infrastructure programme for Network Rail, which involved the double tracking of sections of Permanent Way – over approximately 20 Kilometres to increase capacity for the main freight route from the Port of Felixstowe.

The full project scope of works included upgrading five Level Crossings with new barrier controls and the installation of new Permanent Way, Signalling, Power and Telecoms for a new loop installation in order to facilitate the expansion of the strategically important freight connections.

The Principal Contractor for the works was Volker Fitzpatrick Ltd (VFL), acting on behalf of Network Rail as part of their Anglia Regional Collaboration (ARC) CP5 framework.

Global Rail Construction Limited provided a fully managed sub-contract service to VFL, completing the full scope of Ancillary Civil Engineering and E&P works for the project. Our works were led by Operations Director Sean Donaghey, who managed our multi-disciplinary workforce including civil and structural engineering and E&P expertise, along with in-house project management to deliver this time-pressurised and highly co-ordinated scheme.

Sean gave high praise to his team:

“Delighted with the efforts and contributions of our collective Civils and E&P teams. When a project is time-critical and crucial milestones have to be met, experience is a key factor in achieving success. Being able to rely upon a dedicated in-house team of Project Managers, Construction Managers and Installers that are able to interface with each other as well as a myriad of stakeholders, without doubt, enabled solutions to be quickly and effectively formed. This enabled us to complete the works to meet VFL’s requirements.”

To read the full case study for this project click here.

UK Rail Infrastructure Contractor, Global Rail Construction Limited, is delighted to confirm their award and subsequent mobilisation for the GRIP 6-8 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 latest contract win is testament to Global Rail Construction Limited’s (GRCL’s) integrated end to end, 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.

GRCL’s project team are now gearing-up for the installation of nearly 4000m of TTS 200 troughing. All works will be undertaken during night-time short track access possessions, so full programme management and project traceability is crucial for the success of these works.

Logistics management is a vital ingredient to the success of these works. GRCL has therefore, developed a thorough plan for the collection, delivery and subsequent placing of materials for in advance of the installation works.

Free-issue materials will be collected by a Crane Wagon from a depot in Wembley and taken to a Road Rail Access Point (RRAP) as required to support the installation works. During this time, GRCL will provide all necessary traffic and pedestrian management and any parking bay suspensions to enable the TTS trough to be delivered to site safely and as required to support the works.

On successful arrival at the RRAP, the crane wagon will then offload the troughing onto waiting Road Rail Vehicles (RRV’s) for forward delivery to site, to support the subsequent fully managed installation process.

From early mobilisation through to project close out, the timescales for completion are seven months.

Managing Director, Marco Lombardelli added:

“We are delighted with this latest contract win and look forward to handing over these works; meeting the required programme, safely and coherently; in conjunction with our long-term partner BAM”

Global Rail Construction 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.

We are delighted to announce the successful completion of our Feltham Phase 1 PC contract on behalf Network Rail. Click here to read the full project case study.

Having commenced works in July 2017, our Rail South Project Team led by PM Patrick Rouse, have completed the design and construction of civil engineering works, which form part of a major Re-Signalling project to renew life expired signalling, telecoms and power assets for Network Rail covering 80 track miles, comprising the renewal of 538 Signalling Equivalent Units (SEUs).

Global Rail Construction has worked collaboratively with Network Rail throughout the project and this has led to the delivery of an exemplary project, one which has an outstanding approach to safety and the environment, been fully compliant and shared in lessons learnt across the entire project team.

This is echoed by Global Rail Construction’s PRISM scorecard – Network Rail’s assessment tool, which is used to gauge contract performance of both the client and PC contractors teams during large rail infrastructure projects – the last PRISM score for the project showed an average score of 4.43 out of 5.

Throughout the project, Global Rail Construction’s in-house design and construction teams have sought to deliver solutions to challenges, working closely with their NR counterparts to ensure a high quality service. This can be verified by the fact that all handback works and snagging have been completed and that all as-built records and H&S File documentation has been submitted.

Global Rail Construction has always sought to provide a positive approach in supporting Network Rail throughout the contract. The final completion date was ensured through close liaison and management of workload priorities during possession planning and a pro-active approach to achieving the very best solution for all parties. The entire project team, with head office support as required, worked hard to fully understand all lineside and neighbour issues and always sought the fullest mitigation measures at all times – this included pro-active management of intrusive works such as noise notification works throughout the project lifecycle.

The team developed several processes to aid its HSE performance too, enhancing behaviours through an open, learning culture and providing an overall positive approach to safety from all levels of staff, including supply chain partners. During the project, there was some great collaboration between GRCL and NR for joint safety engagement through Safety Stand Downs, which provided a vehicle for positive participation by the whole team. Close call innovation in the form of a ‘WhatsApp’ Group was also fully embraced during the project and is now very much part of business as usual for the entire GRCL operation.

Global Rail Construction’s Managing Director, Marco Lombardelli also added:

“I am truly delighted with the outcome of this significant railway civil engineering project. This 21 month project required great expertise and a meticulous approach to worksite planning from an experienced civil engineering team, in order to keep the project on track. To then complete this snag free was an incredible effort.

“Having an in-house team of design engineers, project managers and civils installers, coupled with a dedicated supply chain, without doubt enabled solutions to be quickly and effectively formed – providing programme and cost surety.”

Global Rail Construction has successfully completed this year’s 3-day OHSAS 18001 [surveillance] audit of our Health and Safety management system.

We are pleased to note that we did not receive any non-compliances. During the audit an opportunity for improvement (OFI) was identified, this will be addressed going forward as part of our continuously improving culture.

Furthermore, the auditor recognised the work we do as a company, our Health and Safety programmes and approach to delivering our safety vision that ‘everyone arrives for work healthy and leaves for home safely every day.’

A special thank you to Peter Coleman, Head of Compliance, for his hard work and dedication and to the rest of our teams for their continued support of our management systems.

Global Rail Construction is committed to complying with legislation to ensure the highest standards of safety are achieved and maintained. Health and well-being is central to our approach. Global Rail Construction’s safety management ethos is based on risk assessment and control throughout our operations. We constantly endeavour to provide a safe place of work, with safe and maintained plant, equipment and systems of work. This approach is enhanced through the provision of appropriate information, instruction and training on and off site, ensuring safe use of materials and substances and by diligently working to prevent accidents.

Global Rail Construction Limited are delighted to announce their award of the E&P and ancillary Civil Engineering works for the joint venture of Volker Fitzpatrick and Morgan Sindall (VFMS), who were successful with the award for the construction of the 4.5 km extension to the Gospel Oak to Barking line.

Works include the modification of the existing railway lines from Barking station over a stretch of 3km with a new 1.5km railway viaduct extension from Renwick Road overbridge to the new terminus station. This will involve constructing an embankment ramp up to the new concrete viaduct supporting a 2-track railway extension into the heart of a new residential development at Barking Riverside.

In addition to the civils and E&P scope of works, GRCL will also be supplying all materials handling and logistics management for their works, RRV’s as required, site haulage and the provision of all HV comps and assessors including all necessary SMTH testing staff to support the works and enhance their self-delivery capability.

GRCL’s Operations Director, Sean Donaghey, who played a large part in the successful bid, added:

“This is great news for GRCL and shows the continued growth of our multi-disciplinary offering.  This is a prestigious contract for the company and we look forward to working collaboratively with VFMS to deliver a safe, high quality service, in order to meet the project timeframe.  Many thanks to all of the GRCL team for their efforts in securing these works.”

Global Rail Construction’s scope includes delivery of the following Railway Ancillary Civil Engineering Works:

• Demolition works
• Construction of Distribution Network Operator (DNO) bases
• Installation of Points Heating Control Cubicle (PHCC) precast foundations
• Installation of Points Heating Transformer precast bases
• Installation of TCB precast bases
• Lighting Column foundation bases
• Lighting Control Cubicle (LCC) foundations
• Alterations to LV Compound Layout
• Construction of bases for L.V panels
• Alterations to Hard landscaping areas
• Fencing works and gates
• Vegetation Clearance
• Roadways and Vehicular Access areas
• Troughing works – new installation
• Troughing works – Lift & Shift to refurbished & upgraded elevated route
• PSP bases
• FSP’s foundation bases
• 9No 9-way UTX’s
• 1No 6-way URX
• Safe Walkways
• Signage bases
• Construction of Single location Bases and hardstand areas
• Construction of Half location Bases and hardstand areas
• Construction of signal support structures and foundations
• Construction of concrete foundations for hinged single posts
• Installation of Structural steel staging platforms incl foundations

Global Rail Construction’s E&P scope of works includes the following deliverables and includes the Completion of all NICEIC Certification, As Built record drawings, O&M’s and Completion and delivery of Ellipse data.

Lighting

• Installation of new L.V Submain supplies for the new lighting installations
• Installation of Staircase Lighting Control Panel
• LED Bulkhead Luminaires
• Lighting Control Switches complete with enclosure & associated equipment cabling
• Installation of containment associated with staircase lighting
• Modifications to existing L.V Distribution equipment
• Disconnection and removal of existing REB supply
• DNO earthing and bonding to trackside Spider Plate
• Install all associated cabling and containment
• Management and installation of all associated cabling for the works

L.V Power Distribution

• 3 new DNO Cubicles including all associated equipment & control
• New L.V Sub main installations to supply L.V power requirements for all E&P Rail Systems

OLE Systems – L.V power

• V Submain Cabling for trackside Motorised Operating Switches (MOS)
• Supply and Installation of MOS distribution cubicles including 230/120v transformer for Scada

Points Heating

• Installation of 3 new Points Heating Control Cubicles
• Installation of Point Heating Transformers (10Kva)
• Installation of Point Heating Transformers (5Kva)
• Installation of Post Mounted Trackside Connection Boxes (GRP)
• Installation of Points heaters for 18 Point ends
  • Installation of Hot and Cold Temperature Probes
  • Weather Monitoring Equipment
  • Installation of Remote Conditioning Unit Cabling
  • Installation of Trackside point heating cabling
• Installation of L.V Sub main supplies for new Points Heating Control Cubicles
• Installation of L.V supplies to Point Heating Transformers

Signalling Power

• Installation of 37 new Function Supply Points (FSP’s) for new 650v Signalling feeders
  • Viaduct Feeder B installation 2c 50mm² XLPE/FGT/PVC Enhanced unarmoured
  • West Feeder 2A & 2B installation 2c 95mm² XLPE/FGT/PVC Enhanced unarmoured
  • West Feeder 1A & 1B installation 2c 95mm² XLPE/FGT/PVC Enhanced unarmoured
  • Reconfiguration of existing Signalling feeders at Barking and Dagenham Dock
  • Migration of Signalling power from existing Signalling LOC’s to new FSP Feeders
• Installation of New Sub-distribution cubicle to power new Signalling Feeders
• Install 3 new sub-distribution cubicles and associated equipment and carry out modifications to existing
• New insulation monitoring device with connections to the existing CDS
• Management of all existing trackside cabling – Lift & shift
• Tag and Trace identification of all existing trackside cabling

Principle Supply Points (PSP)

• Modifications and reconfiguration of existing PSP’s
• Testing & Commission on completion of the works
• Recovery of all redundant 650v Feeder cables
• Recalibration of PSP Bender units

Train Power Systems (RSC)

• Installation of 8,500m new return screen conductor cabling 19/4.22
• Supply and installation of bonding connections to 37 FSP’s to RSC
• Supply and installation of bonding connection to 24 Signalling LOC’s
• Structural Bonding connections of new viaduct to RSC

Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL) are delighted to introduce our latest Apprentice, Charlie Rice, who joins our Global Family. Charlie will be based within our in-house design team where he will be taught by our experienced team of Draughtsman and Civil Engineers to give him the skills to progress. Alongside this in-house training, in September he will attend college one day a week, studying towards a BTEC HNC in Civil Engineering. Charlie has already achieved a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering with City & Guild.

The BTEC HNC qualification comprises ten core units studied over a two year period, covering a range of subjects such as Applied Mathematics, Construction and the Built Environment, Engineering Geology and Soil Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Design and Site Surveying culminating in a Group design project that involves putting these learned skills into practice in a real world scenario.

We asked Charlie why he wanted to join GRCL he said:

“I was keen to join a primary contractor with multi-disciplinary experience, to give me a broader experience whilst I am learning.”

Hiring Apprentices is part of GRCL’s policy to build for the future and we are delighted to welcome Charlie and wish him every success.

If you are interested in joining us as an apprentice, please send your CV plus a covering letter to careers@grcl.co.uk

The health and safety of our employees and others who may be affected by our activities has always been of paramount importance to Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL).

This can be evidenced by a recent safety commendation at the S&C South Alliance, where the company were ranked in the top 3 for Period 10 in respect of their Signalling and Telecommunications (S&T) work. This is a monthly forum, where all supply chain partners attend, so it is great for GRCL to be recognised for its excellence in safety amongst our peers.

Safety and well-being is central to GRCL’s approach. The continuous improvement in occupational health and safety management and performance is achieved through the implementation and maintenance of an occupational health and safety management system (SMS), which meets the requirements of OHSAS 18001:2007.
Global Rail Construction’s safety management ethos is based on risk assessment and control throughout its operations. The company constantly endeavours to provide a safe place of work, with safe and maintained plant, equipment and systems of work.

This approach is enhanced through the provision of appropriate information, instruction and training on and off site, ensuring safe use of materials and substances and by diligently working to prevent accidents.

Mick Walsh, GRCL’s Head of Resource, attended the day and added:

“It was great to receive such praise and this has been duly acknowledged by our client Colas, through a further extension of our current contract with them. What a fantastic effort from our Southern based teams”.