Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL) is proud to announce an important success for its Mechanical, Electrical and Power (MEP) Division, having secured a significant package of Electrification and Power (E&P) works between Westerfield and Felixstowe on Network Rail’s Anglia Route.

The project is for Volker Fitzpatrick (VFL) as part of their ARC (Anglia Regional Collaboration) framework for CP5, which involves the double tracking of sections of Permanent Way – over approximately 20 Kilometres between North Ipswich and Felixstowe – to increase capacity for the main freight route from the Port of Felixstowe. There are also further railway systems works, including the upgrade of signalling and also significant ground engineering works to improve the line stability.

Led by Operations Director Sean Donaghey, GRCL provided a most compelling offering and was selected as the E&P partner of choice by VFL to deliver the full signalling power scope to include a new Principal Supply Point (PSP) at Westerfield, upgrade and modifications to the existing PSP, the installation of 42No Functional Supply Points (FSP) and installation of 45km of new cabling.

The scope also covers the installation of direct power and lineside power supplies for a number of level crossings, as well as new level crossing lighting. Further works include the installation of 2No Points Heating Cubicles (PHCC), points heating supplies, transformers and heating strips for point ends.

GRCL are working towards a target of completion and commissioning of the two PSP’s along with the new diverse 650v signalling power by Christmas 2018, which will allow resignalling commissioning. All points heating works are to be completed out of points heating season between April and September.

GRCL Managing Director, Marco Lombardelli, was delighted with this success, highlighting the significant contribution made by Operations Director, Sean Donaghey:

“Like all successes, they are all as a result of a combined and concerted team effort, however, I would like to thank Sean for his significant contribution to this bid and the wider development of our UK E&P offering. The division is going from strength to strength and we are delighted to be able to offer both a multi-disciplinary D&B solution and a fully managed independent E&P offering to the marketplace as we head towards a new control period.”

Mechanical and 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.

The company provides electrical condition reports and undertakes the installation and testing of lineside feeder cabling, fire detection systems, CCTV/access/security systems, building management control systems, HVAC and cable installation and management including lighting control systems.

Global Rail Construction’s Head of Resourcing Mick Walsh, will be supporting The Hundred Days Offensive between 10th – 14th October 2018, to commemorate the Centenary of the First World War, whilst helping to support the soldiers and veterans of today.

He will be taking part in the Frontline Walk – a 100km trek across the battlefields of WWI, which will be a physically and emotionally tough challenge, as he follows in the footsteps of those who fought so bravely 100 years ago.

In his research of the event, it led Mick on a personal discovery to locate the details of his Great Grandfather, Edward Bentley, who bravely fought and succumbed on 9th July 2016, which makes this event even more poignant for Mick and his family.

Supporting good causes is part Mick’s DNA.  His great work over the years has raised funds for a number of charities, from hosting the home coming ball for the Royal Marines to supporting the ex-Forces back into work.

We caught up with Mick, who had this to say:

“I want to thank Marco and all the team at GRCL for their support.  This one is very personal to me and will be a truly humbling experience.  I will be posting regularly on my Facebook feed and invite you all to follow me on my walk, so that we can experience the ups and the downs together.  Sponsorship would be gratefully received and even the soles of my shoes can also be sponsored!”

Mick will be doing it all for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the National Charity of the British Army, who support soldiers, veterans and their families when they need it most.

http://fundraising.soldierscharity.org/michaelwalsh

Download Private 7392 Edward Bentley service record

Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL) has opened an office in Derby to facilitate a new core business offering around the supply of labour, which has been featured in RailStaff Magazine.

The new strategically placed office will be used to meet external client demands for labour including safety critical personnel, as well as supporting GRCL’s own current and future rail projects in the Midlands and North of the UK.

The company has assembled an experienced and committed management team to run this new labour division, whose industry reputation in the rail sector precedes them.  As a safe and trusted partner for clients working on some of the UK’s biggest rail infrastructure projects, GRCL know it is not just about providing people with the right skills, it is also about providing people with the right approach.

The company is fully committed to the rigorous requirements of the rail industry.  As an employer, GRCL continuously ensures the health, safety and wellbeing of all its workers and always verify their competencies.  The company has an outstanding reputation for staff retention, underpinned by the quality and diversity of its resource and its commitment to world-class training and development of its staff.

GRCL’s new office in Derby is a signal of its growth and success across its rail infrastructure sectors of operation, which encompass civil, structural engineering and building,  E&P and signalling works – as well as this new exciting labour supply arm. The company has a great track record of achievements across the country and is no stranger to the Midlands area, by virtue of its significant contribution to the East Notts Resignalling project.

You can read the full article here

Global Rail Construction (GRCL) is pleased to announce it has secured a multi-disciplinary design and build contract at Greenwich Generating Station, and will comprise the design and construction of housings and enclosures to support the static VAR compensator (SVC) assembly from Siemens Plc.

Greenwich Generating Station stands on the south bank of the River Thames and provides emergency back-up power for the underground in case of a substantial failure in the National Grid.

As part of London Underground’s power upgrades, Greenwich Generating Station has been identified as a suitable location to install equipment that will improve the quality of the power feeding the distribution network.

Following significant changes to the site and its associated infrastructure the original turbine hall is now mostly unused and has available space. It is intended to use the available space by installing equipment to improve power quality and to generate low carbon electricity to the London Underground (LU) network.

As part of the project Global Rail Construction will be providing a range of civil and structural engineering design and construction services together with mechanical and electrical building services installations. The works will take place across three packages consisting of the following:

Package 1
Design and construction of a reinforced concrete over-slab beneath the entire basement area of the SVC demise to accommodate the loadings of the new superstructure

Package 2
Design and construction of new accommodation for the SVC comprising of:
Reactor Yard
Convertor Room
Pump Enclosure
Control and Protection Room
Fan assisted glycol heat exchanger supports
Access ramps, personnel stairways and maintenance platforms
Associated mechanical, electrical and fire detection systems

Package 3
Construction of an extension to the first floor 22kV switch room.

Discussing the contract award, Marco Lombardelli, Managing Director of GRCL, said:

“This project is a fantastic opportunity for us to display our extensive multidisciplinary design and construction capabilities for a prestigious client. It will be a challenging scheme with many technical difficulties involved, particularly around planning and making space available to accommodate the site’s SVC assembly equipment layout.

“This latest contract is further evidence of our growing reputation as a leading design and build contractor for the UK’s mainline and metro rail systems.”

UK Rail contractor, Global Rail Construction Ltd, is delighted to have secured the Principal Contractor (PC) role for the design and construction of the advanced civil engineering works on Phase 1 of the Feltham resignalling project – having submitted a most detailed and comprehensive offer to do so.

As PC, Global Rail Construction (GRCL) will deliver the full GRIP 5-8 design and construct contract directly for Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (Network Rail). The scope of work covers civil and structural engineering works on Network Rail’s Wessex Route and specifically covers: Area 1a – Shepperton Branch; Area 1b – Norbiton Sub Station to Fulwell Jct and Area 2 – Barnes to Whitton Jct, Hounslow Sub Station.

A thrilled Marco Lombardelli, Managing Director of GRCL, was quick to praise his team:

“This is a fantastic achievement and a true reflection of the hard work, effort and professionalism of all who contributed to this success. It is great to be part of such an exciting opportunity for our business, especially having worked so incredibly hard during the last couple of years to achieve and maintain full PCL status.”

The Feltham resignalling project forms part of the signalling renewals/National Operating Strategy (NOS) scheme, which is intending to renew the life-expired signalling infrastructure in Feltham and Wokingham areas to the modern equivalent form. The total scheme covers the renewal of 538 Signalling Equivalent Units (SEUs). The full geographical workscope, which covers over 80 miles of railway lines also included, for the first time, the introduction of Atkins’ brand-new signalling system – Elix.

Commercial Director Jim Cuell also added:

“This PC contract award comes off the back of our previous sub-contract work on the Feltham resignalling scheme, whereby civil and structural engineering works were undertaken along the Shepperton branch and successfully completed at the end of 2016.

“This is therefore a fantastic opportunity for GRCL to directly deliver a high-profile PC package of work to Network Rail, and we look forward to the successful delivery of this project in due course.”

Global Rail Construction Ltd is part of the Global Infrastructure Group and is a leading UK provider of design and build services to clients in the rail and transportation sector. The company is a principal contractor for UK mainline and metro railways across a number of disciplines, which include signalling, mechanical, electrical and power (MEP), telecoms, civil and structural engineering, maintenance, renewal, providing a fully tested and commissioned service, on both Network Rail and Transport For London controlled infrastructure. You can read more about what we do by clicking here.

Global Rail Construction Ltd has been awarded the Sustainability Award at the Galvanisers Association’s GAGA Awards 2017 for its work to design, supply and install of several large galvanised steel signal structures for Network Rail at Crossrail.

The company was commended for its efforts to achieve significant cost and programme efficiencies while including new strategies for sustainability at the end of the installation’s life.

GRCL’s engineering team offered a thoroughly sustainable approach to the project lifecycle, allowing them to consider all aspects of material construction and deconstruction. They proposed the use of hot dip galvanised gantry and cantilever structures with galvanised steel support grillages, which allows the equipment to be easily reused or recycled when removed at the end of its useful life.

The decision to move away from traditional methods was a key success of this project. Current end of life scenarios for steel and concrete show that 93% of steel is recycled and 6% is reused – a growing natural resource as opposed to concrete which is 20% recycled and 75% downcycled.

David Vine, Principal Design Manager of GRCL said: “We are delighted to have been recognised for our efforts to provide innovative solutions for the galvanising industry with this important award.

“We look forward to being able to deliver further ground-breaking and sustainable projects for all of our rail clients in the future.”

To read more about the rail infrastructure projects Global Rail Construction undertakes, please click here.

Global Rail Construction is currently exhibiting at Rail Live, one of the largest rail exhibitions in Europe.

Rail Live has been recognised as the ‘highlight rail event of the year’, and hosts hundreds of exhibitors from across the industry. It is taking place at the Quinton Rail Technology Centre in Warwickshire, and is a fantastic opportunity for customers and suppliers to meet face-to-face, sharing best practice solutions, demonstrating new products and networking with high-profile industry leaders.

Global Rail Construction is exhibiting alongside foundation solutions business Van-Elle, and we will be showcasing our in-depth knowledge of UK rail systems, while meeting and greeting our industry peers. The event will allow us to present our expertise in turnkey design and construction projects, and help us in exploring new opportunities.

Marco Lombardelli, Managing Director for Global Rail Construction, said: “Rail Live is one of the premier events in the rail calendar and a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our capabilities in the industry. We’re delighted to be exhibiting alongside our friends at Van-Elle, who we are sharing a stand with at Location L28/L26B. If you’re at Rail Live today come and say hello!”

Rail Live is taking place today between 10am and 4pm.

The Galvanising Association has been providing an authoritative guidance and information service on hot dip galvanising since 1949 and has specifically recognised and commended its use since 1994, via its annual awards ceremony the “GAGAs”.

Global Rail Construction Ltd (GRCL) is delighted to have been shortlisted for a construction award in respect of the installation of their large hot dip galvanised (HDG) steel signal structures and foundations for Network Rail at Crossrail.

An in-house design and build team has enabled GRCL to construct many galvanised signal support structures for the UK Rail Infrastructure over the years.

Engineering and Sustainability

GRCL’s contract specifically covered the design, supply and installation of several large HDG steel signal structures including a five-track gantry signal and a large HDG steel two-track cantilever structure, plus several smaller HDG steel lightweight gantry and cantilever structures.

The use of HDG delivers many advantages over more traditional methods and also allows HDG at the end of the installation life, to be easily removed and either reused or recycled.

GRCL’s engineering team offered a thoroughly sustainable approach to the project lifecycle, allowing them to consider all aspects of material construction and deconstruction. This approach helped to ensure that all the constituent parts of the project were either easily recovered for reuse or recycling.

Installation

Directly employed GRCL staff installed all HDG foundations and structures. The lightweight “no access” cantilever and gantry structures were installed during midweek night shifts and isolations using RRV cranes.

The large two-track access cantilever at Maidenhead was installed over several weekend possessions, which was complicated by the early running of the new Overhead Line Wires (OLE) in the area. Careful planning of the lifts enabled the structure to be installed between the wires, which allowed all works to be completed and handed over on time and to budget.

Hot Dip Galvanizing has protected steel across UK and Ireland for more than 150 years. It bonds itself metallurgically to steel imparting toughness and abrasion resistance through its alloy layers. Its unique characteristics help provide a long maintenance free life for steel.

You can read more about Global Rail Construction’s capabilities here:
www.theglobalinfrastructuregroup.com/global-rail-construction/

It has been a busy time for Global Rail Construction’s Quality and Compliance Team, having had consecutive months of external accreditation audits.

May saw the business pass its annual RISQS audit with the highest rating of 5 stars last month. RISQS is the railway industry supplier qualification scheme, and is the preferred route for suppliers to engage with their customers through a fair, open and transparent third-party qualification process.

In June, the team has overseen the successful completion of an audit of the company’s ISO9001:2008 accreditation – the international standard for Quality Assurance. This surveillance audit of the quality management systems was undertaken by NQA (part of NTS), which is one of the leading independent providers of accredited certification, training and support services to help organisations perform better in quality, environment, energy, sustainability and health & safety management.

During the three-day audit, there were no NC’s (non-compliances) raised however, one opportunity for improvement was identified with reference to the collection of customer feedback.

Peter Coleman, Global Rail Construction’s Head of Compliance, was delighted and said:

“Special thanks again to all those who participated in the audit both in the office and also at the 820 Romford Project.

“Our philosophy is to never stop improving, we believe we can always can do better, consistently, continually and sustainably. That’s what we strive for at Global Rail Construction and it’s what we’re here to help achieve, transforming our business and building for future success.”

You can read more about Global Rail Construction’s commitment to their corporate social responsibilities here:

https://www.theglobalinfrastructuregroup.com/global-rail-construction/corporate-responsibility/

Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL) has opened an office in Derby to facilitate a new core business offering around the supply of labour. The new strategically placed office will be used to meet external client demands for labour including safety critical personnel, as well as supporting GRCL’s own current and future rail projects in the Midlands and North of the UK.

The company has assembled an experienced and committed management team to run this new labour division, whose industry reputation in the rail sector precedes them. As a safe and trusted partner for clients working on some of the UK’s biggest rail infrastructure projects, GRCL know it is not just about providing people with the right skills, it is also about providing people with the right approach. This reinforces their strapline of “Resourcing Solutions to the Railway Industry.”

The company is fully committed to the rigorous requirements of the rail industry. As an employer, GRCL continuously ensures the health, safety and wellbeing of all its workers and always verify their competencies. The company has an outstanding reputation for staff retention, underpinned by the quality and diversity of its resource and its commitment to world-class training and development of its staff.

GRCL holds a Full Principal Contractors Licence and is a leading UK provider of design and build services to clients in the rail and transportation sector. With its head office in Hertfordshire, the company undertakes projects throughout the UK; the opening of the new midlands hub, on 3rd April 2017, allows project managers direct coverage of contracts across this region of the country. It is also a milestone for the company due to the city of Derby’s significance to the rail industry.

The Roundhouse at Derby is the world’s first and oldest surviving railway roundhouse. It was originally developed in 1839 by four rival rail companies, including North Midland Railway (NMR) for whom George Stephenson and his son Robert were engineers.

The Midland Railway became one of the country’s prominent railway companies with lines throughout Derbyshire, up to Carlisle in the North (including the country’s highest station at Dent) and to the south with its London terminus at spectacular St Pancras. From 1873, the Midland Railway Locomotive Works, known locally as “The Loco”, became a major manufacturer of locomotives and rolling stock units. When the railways were nationalized in 1947, the Derby works became part of the BR Workshops.

GRCL’s new office in Derby is a signal of its growth and success across its rail infrastructure sectors of operation, which encompass civil and structural engineering, E&P, signalling and building works – as well as its new exciting labour supply arm. The company has a great track record of achievements across the country and is no stranger to the Midlands area, by virtue of its significant contribution to the East Notts Resignalling project, which was completed at the end of last year.