Cambridge Re-signalling GRIP4 Survey Contract Award

Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL) are delighted to announce the award of a new rail contract for long-term client Alstom, for GRIP4 ECI survey works on the Cambridge Inner and Outer Re-Signalling & Re-Control Project.

The overall project aim is to improve the reliability and performance of the signalling system in the Cambridge interlocking area. As part of the project, the existing assets are to be surveyed and their continued use validated. Geographically the project covers roughly the track on the approaches to a triangle between Cambridge, Ely and Bury St Edmonds.

In summary, GRCL’s survey works include the following items:

Surveying, rodding and roping 42No Under Track Crossings & provide condition and capacity report
Surveying, rodding and roping 33No Under Road Crossings & provide condition and capacity report
Surveying existing S&T Troughing & providing a condition and capacity report (inc. vegetation management where necessary), where proposed new feeder cables are to be installed – approx. 100km
Conducting Ground Investigation and providing condition reports at Signal locations, Level Crossings, Station Platforms, PSP and REB sites
Trial Hole Pits at each new UTX or URX Chamber location
Conducting Load Monitoring and providing condition reports
Topographical surveys
Conducting Ground Penetrating Radar surveys
Conducting Lighting Lux Level surveys
Conducting GPR surveys
Conducting gauging surveys
Undertaking soakage tests and slit trench surveys

Works will be carefully co-ordinated and delivered during Rules of the Route published possessions/line blockages and isolations with safety critical support, during both midweek and weekend days/nights. Additionally, there are a number of longer, disruptive possessions with isolations to be utilised.

There are many risks associated with working on the rail infrastructure. GRCL’s in-house project management team will be responsible for the delivery of this package of works and will seek to carry out a full assessment of the risks in order to feed into the overall design process.

GRCL’s approach is to think about health and safety in terms of buildability, maintainability and usability at all stages of the design process, so it becomes a natural part of the design. At each stage, GRCL’s delivery team will identify and eliminate hazards. They aim to maintain close communication with key project stakeholders, to support the reduction of the risks that may arise during construction work, which will enable the plan to be kept on track without exception.

Global Rail Services Completes Arklow Emergency Bridge Repair

Following a road traffic collision (RTC) in the early hours of 17/07/2020, where the granite wall of Overbridge 254 was knocked down onto the track below following an impact from a van that struck the wall, Global Rail Services Limited were tasked, by Irish Rail, with removing the debris from the track and repairing the wall.

Global Rail Services’ emergency response unit, swiftly mobilised to site to secure the works area, which was hazardous with a high and open edge over the track, installing traffic management on the road leading to and from the bridge to prevent further incidents. With close collaboration and following an inspection of the wall with Irish Rail’s Structural Engineer and the Local Authority Engineer, it was decided that the wall would need to be immediately repaired and the road surface would need to be cut and excavated to allow the wall to be reconstructed to its original position.

With the Local Authority Engineer granting an immediate 10-day window for the road to be reduced to one lane, the affected area of track was then closed off and removed from use, to prevent trains from entering where loose masonry had the potential to fall and strike a train.

Global Rail Services engaged their established supply chain partner – stonemason Rock Road Stone Company Ltd – to strip down and rebuild the lime mortar granite wall. A Global Rail Services civils team and a responsible Project Manager were also mobilised to both carry out the excavation and assist with the safe execution, co-ordination and management of the works. The works could only be carried out under TIII absolute possession, the hours of possession were 8pm to 5am.

Global Rail Services full scope of works for the emergency repair included:

Setting up and maintenance of traffic and pedestrian management
Removal of masonry from the track
Fencing off the track
Supply a boom lift MEWP for access to the track face wall
Supply tower lighting to illuminate the road and track
Stripping down the existing in situ damaged wall
Excavating the road surface adjacent to the wall
Rebuilding the lime mortar wall reusing the existing granite cut sections
Painting the wall with a black reflective paint
Installing chevron signage along the full length of the bridge wall
Reinstating the road surface to Local Authority and Purple Book specification

Despite being given a 10 day window, the team rebuilt the wall over the course of 3 nights and then completed the painting, chevron sign installation and road reinstatement over the following 4 days by the 23/07/2020, thereby completing the works 4 days ahead of schedule.

Irish Rail’s Regional Manager for the area commented about his satisfaction with the completed works, saying: “we should have asked you to repair the rest of the wall, because the repaired wall looks better than the rest of it”. This demonstrates the quality of the work carried out by the entire Global Rail Services team.

Global Rail Services Completes Unique Project for Rosslare’s Europort – Replacement and Extension of the Berth 1 Linkspan Transition Ramp

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.”

Ely to Peterborough – GRIP 4 Design Civils and E&P Award

Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL) has been awarded a contract to deliver the Ely to Peterborough Design for both E&P and Civils (GRIP 4) on behalf of our client Atkins Global. The Civils design covers the review of GRIP 3 designs, surveys and Form 001. E&P Design includes surveys, load monitoring and cable calculations, Form A’s for several Level Crossings and power supply schematics.

The Ely to Peterborough scheme is aimed at increasing safety at a number of Level Crossings and increasing the remaining life of the Signalling assets in a number of interlocking areas.

The interlocking areas covered by this project are Downham Market, Kings Dyke, Kings Lynn Junction, Littleport, Magdalen Road, Manea, March East Junction, March South Junction, Stonea and Three Horse Shoes. The Level Crossings to be renewed in this project are Littleport MGH, Magdalen Road MCB, Manea MCB, March East MCB, March South MCB, Whittlesea MGH and Hargham AHB.

Having a multi-disciplinary workforce including design, civil and structural engineering and E&P expertise, along with in-house project management and having previously delivered time-pressurised, highly co-ordinated schemes, allowed Global Rail Construction Limited to provide the necessary solution in order to complete the works to meet the client’s requirements.

www.theglobalinfrastructuregroup.com

Thameslink Points Heating Success – Design and Installation Works

Global Rail Construction Limited has secured a Points Heating remedial contract with BAM on the Thameslink Project. The E&P design and build package of works, forms part of a requirement to upgrade and rectify the railway systems infrastructure to support the capacity improvements recently made in the London Bridge area.

The 26-week programme, includes an 8-week procurement period in order to secure all necessary RCM equipment and parts for the project and covers the following activities:

Preparatory investigation and surveying including:
- A detailed review of as-built records
- Reviewing and assessing of current designs
- Correlation of the RCM installation

Design works which covers:
- Collation of survey data to determine the scope
- Civils design
- E&P design

Installation works:
- Civil Engineering works
  - Installation of TX Bases
- Electrical works
  - Cabling, Jointing and termination works
- PHCC/RCM Remedial works and commissioning
  - Removal and replacement of CT boards
  - Mechanical fixing and installation of new CT’s
  - Installation of new Aerials
  - Installation of new circuitry (MCB’s, CT’s, Terminals, Labels)
  - Installation of DCU 390 PH – Data Loggers
  - Environmental testing (Hot & Cold Probes)
- Commissioning, configuration checking and final testing

The provision of as-built information including O&M data

The 6-week design and survey period commenced this month, with the remainder of the contract works being completed by late September 2020. Installation works will be undertaken during a standard 5-day working week and activities will be worked concurrently in order to meet the required project milestones.

Mechanical & electrical services provided by Global Rail Construction 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 projects such as sub-station refurbishment and new build, station refurbishment and new build, signalling equipment room fit-outs, station platforms and car park lighting.

Thameslink Survey and Investigation Package Awarded to Global Rail Construction Limited

As part of the Thameslink Programme, the railway systems for London Bridge was completely remodelled to suit a new layout at London Bridge station and provide substantial capacity improvements to enable proposed current and future operational timetabling, this is referred to as the N421 Project.

The complexity of managing, staging and delivering the railway systems in order to meet the remodelling programme, has necessitated a requirement for the railway systems infrastructure to be surveyed, in order to confirm its suitability and whether further upgrades and rectifications will be required.

To support these works, Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL) has been awarded a lineside survey contract by long-term customer BAM Nuttall, to undertake the necessary investigation and reporting of 44No Signal Gantries and their associated containment, which includes but is not limited to the following scope:

Structural condition surveys in relation to original Form A requirement for painting
The condition and positioning of cables on the structures including
1. The position of cables relative to associated tray work/containment (particularly noting areas where cables have no associated containment)
2. The type of signal cable (B or C)
3. An assessment of cable slack (or tension)
4. Any visible damage to cables
5. Any serrated edges on tray work/containment that could potentially cause damage to cables
6. Any structure concerns
7. Tagging and tracing of cables to ensure end to end point identification
8. Condition and suitability of the use of cable management to secure cables to containment in contrast to the existing Civils As-Built design

On completion of each survey GRCL will review and discuss the photos and observations with the BAM team at a weekly Technical Interface Meeting and determine one of the following:

An agreed scope of residual works (with no further survey requirements) or,
The requirement for further detailed ‘tag and trace’ surveys

GRCL will produce final survey reports, documenting the findings, associated agreements and will include any recommended remedial works to be undertaken, whereby GRCL can be instructed to complete the remedial scope.

Project Manager Barry Smith, is leading Global Rail Construction Limited’s in-house team of self-delivery experts, who will be covering all disciplines including Civil & Structural Engineering, Signalling and E&P.

Surveys are already underway and there are a number of Signal Gantries already completed, some remedial works instructed and on-going, with further awaiting instruction shortly.

MD Marco Lombardelli added this:

“Delighted to be awarded this multi-disciplinary package of works from our esteemed client BAM. The full suite of internal expertise will be managed and delivered by our in-house staff, something that we are immensely proud of.”

Clacton Re-signalling Railway Civils Award

Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL), has been awarded a railway civil engineering design and build programme of works on behalf of Atkins Global. Clacton Re-signalling’s principal driver is the asset condition of the interlocking and associated track infrastructure at the throat of Clacton-On-Sea station.

Much of the signalling in the area dates back to 1958 and utilises a lever frame dating from 1891. There is currently a mixture of semaphore and colour-light signals, controlled by a mechanical/electro- mechanical lever frame. There is also a mechanical ground frame at Clacton Station. The existing signalling equipment has been the subject of life extension works in 1996 and 2004.

Many components are obsolete and only available on a repair and return basis. Most of the existing location cases have considerable corrosion. The signalling uses some single-cut circuits which are the subject of ORR concern. Searchlight signals are installed on this line, with known Wrong Side Failure (WSF) modes. P-Style relays in the lower portion of the box have been recognised as susceptible to sliver migration. So these works, will look to minimise maintenance and reduce whole life costs.

GRCL’s civil engineering contract covers the provision of a full site-setup, all necessary management and supervision, materials, plant and delivery to the point of construction. The scope consists of the following elements:

Vegetation clearance
Design and Build of 1No Location Staging Platform
Design and Build of 11No Signal Foundations (mixture of concrete and piled solutions)
The installation of other ancillary railway civils including location hardstanding’s, RRAP’s, cable routes and a Relocatable Equipment Building foundation base and associated works (Design by Atkins)
Site Clearance and Waste Recovery throughout construction and upon completion

Managing Director, Marco Lombardelli added:

“This is a fantastic award for the UK team.

“Utilising our railway design and construction capabilities in civil and structural engineering, we look forward to the successful completion of these important works, in order to upgrade the signalling systems in the Clacton-on-Sea area.

“This is another collaboration with our partner Atkins Global, and we look forward to many more.”

GRCL awarded CP6 Design Framework

We are pleased to announce that Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL), has been successful with its tender for the Designer Tier 2 Framework Agreement with BAM.

The design team provided a compelling offer, evidencing the following:

How safe design and specifying has been previously achieved on its projects;
The organisation’s in-house design and railway engineering capacity;
How engineering assurance has been applied to previous projects;
How digital approaches are integrated into its work;

GRCL also provided some initiatives in relation to provisions for diversity and inclusion across the business and some working examples of how inclusivity has made a difference.

The contract will extend throughout Network Rail’s Control Period 6 (CP6), covering BAM’s Southern Multi-Disciplinary (SMD) Framework and GRCL will be providing Design services on a call off basis for a five-year period.

Delighted GRCL Design Manager, Richard Horsted added:

“This is great news and testament to the efforts of the entire team. We have made impressive strides with our design and consultancy development recently, and this latest success is reward for the fruits of our labour.”

Our design and consultancy division constantly adapt to new technology and innovation.

State-of-the-art 3D CAD 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

From the Board of The Global Infrastructure Group of Companies

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