Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL) has completed a multi-disciplinary GRIP 5-8 rail systems sub-contract encompassing Civil and Structural Engineering including temporary works, E&P and Signalling installation works, covering Phases 3 and 4 of the Feltham Resignalling Project. This project was on behalf of Principal Contractor (PC) Atkins Global for Network Rail’s (NR) Southern region. GRCL is the UK arm of the worldwide Global Infrastructure Group and is a leading provider of design and build services to clients in the rail and transportation sector.
Global Rail Construction Limited’s successful design, installation and handover of this contract supports the culmination and commissioning of these newly signalled areas in August 2023.
The full scope of the main contract has covered the re-control from the existing Feltham Area Signalling Centre (ASC) NX Panel system to the Basingstoke Rail Operations Centre (ROC) on a Resonate IECC Scalable system, and a signalling interlocking re-lock from the existing Staines and Windsor Route Relay Interlockings (RRI) to an appropriate configuration of Computer Based Interlockings (CBI) within the Atkins ElectroLogIXS system.
All existing lineside signalling infrastructure has been replaced with new equipment including all cabling, Location Case suites, AWS and TPWS, and existing AC track circuit train detection replaced by the Frauscher Advanced Counter (FAdC) Axle Counter system. 7No controlled Level Crossings have been renewed to interface with the new ElectroLogIXS lineside equipment with replacement of the booms, barrier machines, road traffic lights (RTLs), and changing from incandescent bulbs to white light LEDs.
Global Rail Services Ltd was appointed Main Contractor and PSCS by Irish Rail (IE) for this multi-disciplinary rail project. The works included the installation of two precast concrete (PCC) lifts, associated precast concrete stairs and footbridges at Gormanston & Dalkey stations. The bridge structures were encapsulated on both sides and on the roof. All enabling, utilities and services works were carried out by Global Rail Services and their approved specialist subcontractors.
This project was completed as part of Irish Rail’s Accessibility Programme. The objective of the programme is to improve accessibility across the Irish Rail network in line with the priorities set out in the Accessibility Project Feasibility Report 2014, and the prioritised Track Crossing Report as completed in 2019 following consultation with the National Transport Authority (NTA), the Accessibility User Group and internal stakeholders.
Casement Aerodrome is a military airbase in southwest Dublin. It is the headquarters and sole airfield of the Irish Defence Forces Air Corp. Global Rail Services Ltd (GRSL) were commissioned to install new outdoor radiation measurement equipment within the confines of the airfield on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Global Rail Services Ltd were appointed Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) for the works. Works involved the construction of two concrete plinths complete with a galvanised ESB approved mini pillar on each. Trenching and ducting works, including 6 access junctions, were carried out through a field adjacent to the airfield runway and on a concrete footpath adjacent to the transmitter hut building, to allow for cable entry to the building. On completion, the grass area was re-graded and re-seeded. The concrete footpath was reinstated to match existing.
ESB Networks commissioned ESB Engineering & Major Projects (EMP) to undertake an environmental screening assessment of the fluid filled cables network to identify and assess leaks. Following the completion of the assessment, in agreement with the EPA and relevant authorities, a decision was made to begin intrusive assessments at agreed locations in order for an Environmental Consultant to complete the assessment. Global Rail Services Ltd (GRSL) were appointed as main contractor and PSCS for the project for the 23No sites identified – encompassing both slit and 90° L trench excavations – at locations and sensitive receptors in agreement with the Environmental Consultant.
Project activities included the safe exposure and logging of all services, ground conditions and make up therein. No outages were available for the cables during the works, so all cables were treated as live. Global Rail Services were responsible for the temporary works required to support the trench excavations. Water samples were taken by the Environmental Consultant, which were recovered from rivers and canals close to each leak location.
Principal Contractor Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL), has completed Feltham Resignalling’s largest civil engineering programme of works, on behalf of Network Rail (NR) Southern Region Capital Delivery.
In October 2020, Global Rail Construction commenced works as the Principal Contractor for the Design and Construction (D&C) of the Advanced Civil Engineering scope of works for Feltham Resignalling Project Phases 3&4. These phases form part of a major Resignalling project to renew life expired signalling, telecoms, and electrical assets for Network Rail, comprising the renewal of 538 Signalling Equivalent Units (SEUs) over 80 miles of railway lines, alongside the introduction of a brand-new signalling system from Atkins – Elix.
Design activities commenced at pace and site works were meticulously planned as part of a compelling tender methodology and approach utilising weekdays and nights, Saturday nights and several 28 and 52-hour railway possessions during a most challenging project timeframe.
The construction works were further extended to September 2022 to include several additional location case hardstanding’s, PSP compounds, new signal installations, new cable duct routes to existing station platforms and the installation of various new troughing routes – all effortlessly absorbed by GRCL’s in-house D&C team.
Having a railway design and build team, including dedicated project and site management across the civil and structural engineering scope, familiarity with the scheme, having delivered several previous phases and having delivered time pressurised resignalling schemes across Network Rail infrastructure, allowed Global Rail Construction Limited to provide the necessary turnkey solution and complete the project to meet Network Rail’s requirements
Global Rail Construction Limited were among a team of specialist rail contractors working in a highly coordinated manner to deliver these important upgrades for Network Rail. The in-house team of multi-disciplinary experts from Global, have worked almost entirely within a live, operational environment, interfacing daily with equipment that is switched on, in a wholly compliant manner.
The specialist discipline support services undertaken by Global Rail Construction Limited cover the entire end-to-end design and build scope of the Signalling, E&P and Ancillary Civil Engineering programme.
Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL) has completed the signalling and telecoms installation and associated civil construction works for the renewal of the following 4No Level Crossings:
- Stroude – a bridal crossing without any barriers that required extensive resurfacing and fencing works and the replacement of 30No track sleepers
- Rusham – a complex crossing that included design and installation of pilling, extensive hardstanding and fencing
- Camberley – a barrier crossing requiring modification, new bases, cable routes, associated fencing and surfacing works
- Chertsey – minor signalling and civils works as there was no new barrier or RTL bases
The works were completed for long-term client Atkins Global, on behalf of Network Rail’s Wessex Route. The completed crossings fall within the Feltham & Wokingham Resignalling project which comprises the renewal of all signalling assets controlled from Feltham Area Signalling Centre (ASC) and Wokingham Signal Box (SB), replacing 9 RRIs with new centralised ElectroLogIXS (CBI) interlockings controlled from Basingstoke ROC.
Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL) successfully secured a significant Signalling installation sub-contract on behalf of its UK client Atkins. The contract is for Package 1 covering Phases 3 & 4 of the Feltham to Woking Resignalling Scheme and also includes Telecoms, Permanent Way, E&P and associated minor civils installation scopes of work
The contract includes the provision of key engineering resources – using in house personnel – in accordance with the Engineering Management for Projects standard NR/L2/RSE/02009. This includes the necessary disciplined Contractors Responsible Engineers, who are accountable for the day-to-day management and co-ordination of the technical and engineering activities, Construction Managers, Temporary Works Co-ordinators, and a Responsible Manager to fulfil the duties as defined in NR/L3/OHS/019.
This success was awarded following Global Rail Construction Limited’s recent completion of the early advanced scope for Phase 2 covering Sunningdale MCB-CCTV – a full level crossing renewal – in which GRCL completed trackside signalling equipment installations and civils works in early November 2021 and the company was of course delighted to be working once again in partnership with its long-term customer Atkins.
The overall Feltham to Wokingham Resignalling Project covers the renewal of all signalling assets, covered by seven scheme plans, with delivery broken down into six separate Phases that align approximately to the Signalling Scheme Plan boundaries, Feltham ASC Signallers panels and Wokingham Signal Box.
Network Rail (NR) Principal Contractor, Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL), were contracted by NR Wessex Works Delivery Track for a £200k Plain Line Refurbishment of Gibbets Lane on the Frimley Line.
Global Rail Construction engaged with supply chain partner, KGJ Price, in order to support Network Rail to deliver this track package of works on the Wessex Route.
During CP6, Global Rail Construction has also successfully supported Works Delivery in both Wessex and the South East with discrete work banks which have included re-sleepering, S&C refurb works and rerailing.
Due to maintenance DU capacity during week 50, Global Rail Construction Limited were engaged to deliver a £100k fixed diamond replacement project to remove track defects, crippled joints and track quality issues. The project demonstrated Global Rail Construction’s ability to rapidly mobilise, undertake detailed planning in tight timescales and deliver a professional and quality project in collaboration with the Network Rail teams.
Global Rail Construction were responsible for the detailed planning of the works, providing safety documentation, hour by hour programme and inspection and test plans for the works. The company carried out the surveying and marking out of the works, and supported logistics for plant and materials deliveries.
