Global Rail Construction Completes Civils Project at Three Bridges

Global Rail Construction has successfully completed its civils contract at Three Bridges.

The work scope included:

  • Core drilling and installation of a platform duct route
  • Installation of GRP Fencing and a staging unit
  • Supply and installation of Critical Rail Temperature (CRT) track monitoring and wing wall monitoring of bridge
  • Supply and installation of 4no x 10m 406mm piles
  • Supply and installation of a Cantilever signal structure
  • Supply and installation of a new Right Away (RA) signal base, ducting and structure
  • Installation of a Subsidiary Signal on a post
  • Removal of an existing Cantilever signalling structure

The contract 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.

During the works the team received praise from Steve Holmes, SPM for Network Rail, Southern Capital Delivery:

“Please accept and pass on my personal thanks for the work carried out over the weekend. I don’t need to dwell on the appalling weather conditions which we all experienced, which only served to make the efforts of everyone even more impressive. We don’t often get to see the guys actually doing the works as they disappear as soon as they’re done, (and who wouldn’t want to get out of that ….) , but please be sure and pass on my thanks and gratitude for their resilience and resolve to get the job not only done, but done safely.  We exceeded what we expected to get done considering the storm, which puts us in a great position to complete the commissioning in Week 48.”

On completion Steve also added:

“I just wanted to say a huge personal thanks for the hard work, trust and collaboration you have shown in bring the project to a very successful conclusion following last night’s commissioning of Three Bridges T280 signal. I’m sure you all remember the big decision taken to move away from developing T281 and instead focussing our efforts on another option with T280, and all the stress and work that that imported, but we did it – together! There have been many stakeholders to pacify along the way, and we have always delivered one message, regardless of who any of us spoke to. That is a very powerful thing to have developed and has meant that there is a confidence in the team we have built that we work as one to deliver…”

Global Rail Services Limited Completes Fit Out and Renovation Project

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

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.

Global Rail Services is Accredited by the Private Security Authority

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

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.

 

Global Rail Australia Secures Track Work Contract for Tasrail

Global Rail Australia Pty Limited is delighted to announce the recent award of a Track Work Contract on behalf of Tasrail – Tasmania’s vertically integrated, short haul, freight rail business, who have been responsible since 2009 for upgrading, maintaining and operating Tasmania’s freight railway network and supporting its infrastructure.

Similar to the State’s road network, the rail network is a critical piece of infrastructure that requires maintenance, to ensure the safe running of trains.

Global Rail Australia’s contract is on behalf of Tasrail’s llP2 Programme Management team, and is based upon Category 1 Track Defects, which covers rectification and associated works including the following activities:

  • Re-sleepering
  • Re-railing
  • Short Rail Inserts (closures)
  • Stressing Modules x 2
  • Ballast Cleaning (mud holes)
  • Removing Dipped Welds
  • Repairing Joints and IRJ’s
  • Repairing Twist Faults
  • Refurbishing, Removing and Replacing Accommodation Crossings
  • Heavy Turnout Maintenance
  • Alumino Thermic Welding

Global Rail Australia’s Track Construction Division – managed by Richard Needham – will be providing a turnkey service for Tasrail, with full project management, site management and supervision for the duration of the contract.

As part of its social policy, Global Rail Australia will be supporting a local procurement programme and engaging where possible with SME suppliers to source both components and services locally. The plan is to ensure that suitable, local SMEs have the same opportunities when competing with Global Rail’s traditional supply chain, for the provision of goods or services to be used for this contract.

A very pleased CEO Ivan Holloway said:

“This is an important success for our Track Construction Division and is testament to the hard work and support of the entire team. We look forward to maintaining a safe railway for Tasrail and becoming a partner of choice through a collaborative, innovative and inclusive approach to project delivery.”

The company’s Track Construction Division specialises in aluminothermic welding, track construction and maintenance, including the delivery of safe working services, inspection and track handback.

Its detailed understanding of track construction maintenance and renewals has been derived from years of experience covering every aspect of track construction maintenance and renewals from component exchange through to major re-railing activities.

Its in-house specialist teams, have successfully delivered individual projects for a vast range of clients, providing bespoke solutions to meet their requirements.

Our services include:

  • Heavy and light rail construction
  • Turnout construction and installation
  • Track reconditioning
  • Track welding
  • Tie renewal
  • Track formation
  • UTX installation
  • Track maintenance
  • Rail defects
  • Track resource supply