In April 2014, UK rail contractor Global Rail Construction Limited (GRCL). fought off stiff competition to be awarded the design and construction of the civil engineering scope of works (Grip 5-8), for the East Notts Modular Resignalling scheme on behalf of Alstom.
The remitted signalling renewals on Network Rail’s East Midlands Route, consisted of the replacement of life expired mechanical signalling equipment, with Alstom’s state of the art modular signalling concept.
This flagship project involved the use of Alstom’s latest obstacle detection (OD) technology at 9 separate level crossing sites, on both the Nottingham to Grantham and the Nottingham to Newark lines.
The project was to be completed whilst adhering with two critical project milestones commissioning dates in March 2015 and November 2015, culminating in final test, handback and completion in November 2016.
The project was also cutting edge in its safe working processes, as it also became the first project in the UK to implement NR//L2/OHS/133 – Network Rail’s brand new Code of Practice for Planning and Delivering Safe Work.
Global Rail Construction self delivered much of the work scope using their in-house civil and structural engineering teams.
As part of Metro Trains Melbourne on-going program to improve the railway network, Global Rail Australia were initially awarded a contract to install 10No platform shelters of various sizes across the metro networks metropolitan stations.
Having successfully delivered the first Phase, Global Rail Australia was awarded further contracts and to date Global Rail Australia have installed 25 platform shelters at various locations.
The works commenced in April 2015 and form a fundamental part of the MORN programme to improve passenger experience at metropolitan railway stations around Melbourne.
The scope involves the complexities of working around a live railway environment, materials management and site logistics, to then construct at each site a new shelter consisting of a fabricated and powder coated structural steel frame, a new roof, guttering and downpipes, perforated side panels, new seating and associated bases, new ceiling panelling and electrical lighting works.
Having a multi-disciplinary workforce including Civil and Structural Engineering, M&E and General Construction along with in-house project management, allowed Global Rail Australia to provide a compelling bid, deliver to program and produce a high quality finish on every occasion.
GRA Networks Ireland were selected by global telecoms and software giant LCC, as a result of their compelling offering to provide a fully project managed service, creating a delivery solution for the modification of the existing single radio access network at 80No locations, many of which included an upgrade to 4G technology.
LCC, who were engaged on behalf of Vodafone Ireland, engaged with GRA Networks Ireland as a result of their impressive offering, which provided a fully costed, efficient end-to-end hand-back solution and included a meticulous programme of works, incorporating concurrent multi-site working and complete adherence to the challenges of working ‘live’ in a fully operational network.
The core objective being to modify and renew the single radio access network and upgrade the equipment to provide 4G capability, without impacting the operational running and integrity of the communication network during the works.
This project formed part of Vodafone’s DARWIN upgrade project to provide upgraded 4G network capabilities to 26 countries throughout the world.
Following Global Rail Construction’s notable success in securing a Principal Contractors licence, its signalling division was invited to provide the most advantageous offer to fully manage a project on Network Rail’s (NR) Wessex route. The scope of works included for planning, surveying, installing and commissioning of 509No Hima-Sella Tracklink 3 beacons, including the careful recovery of the existing beacons for refurbishment and re-use, all under SMT conditions.
The system known as Automatic Selective Door Operation (ASDO), provides the train operator – in this case South West Trains – with technology that compares the length of the train with the length of the platform, sending a signal to the driver so that only the correct amount of doors on the platform side are opened.
With more people travelling by train, many train operators are increasing the number of carriages and whilst the infrastructure owners are also increasing platform capacity to afford the extended trains, there will be many stations that will not have sufficient platform length to allow all doors to open.
The principal function of this technology is contained within an electronic beacon installed at each station location, which is fitted to the track at a pre-determined datum point to the existing sleepers and is mounted within the mid-point between the rails known as the 4ft.
The beacon itself is a passive component that utilises radio frequencies and communicates with a beacon reader, which is fitted to the train and then this in turn decodes the data taken from the beacon.
Having provided a comprehensive offering Global Rail Construction were contracted by Network Rail in the Summer of 2014, to meet two key project milestones as part of a two-phased programme in October 2014 and December 2015.
Global Rail Australia successfully secured by competitive tender the design and construction of platform upgrade works at both Wangaratta and Benalla stations by V/ Line – the government-owned corporation that operates the regional passenger train and coach services in Victoria, Australia.
Offering an innovative design solution for the works, Global Rail Australia’s proposal, provided V/Line with a cost effective multi-disciplinary solution and a fully managed service that both minimized disruption and reduced the requirement for operational interface at each station. This project to upgrade redundant platforms at Wangaratta and Benalla Stations, was necessitated by the increase in freight and passenger services and allowed these stations to be brought fully back into service.
The scope of the works which included tactile tile installation, augmentation of the existing CCTV and PA systems and associated access works at Wangaratta – including the upgrade of the platform ramp, adjacent landscaping, removal of sleepers, new signage and application of a non-slip coating – allowed Global Rail Australia to supply the full breadth of its in-house services across, M&E, civil engineering and general construction. Operating in a live railway environment, Global Rail Australia – having worked on numerous railway projects – worked under the supervision of a Track Force Co-ordinator and Look-outs throughout the extent of the works.
Global Rail Construction were selected by Kier as E&P contractor for the installation of the new 650v power supplies and also the 400v power domestic supplies for the Balcombe to Copyhold Signalling Supply upgrade project on Network Rail’s VTB lines.
Having already supported Kier on previous signalling projects, Global Rail Construction were seen as the partner of choice once more, particularly as the works involved substation access, calling upon the experienced in-house Level C staff that the business have.
The project on Network Rail’s Sussex route involved three sites at Balcombe Tunnel, Ouse Valley and Haywards Heath and required a fully managed delivery solution from Global Rail Construction’s in-house E&P division.
The project relied heavily on close co-operation between Kier’s own teams and those of Global Rail Construction and it is this in-house experience in signalling and civil engineering, that provided Kier with the confidence that the E&P team fully understood the interdisciplinary nature of the works.
The programme was fast track with the power build and install having to be completed in 3 months, however, Global Rail Construction’s E&P team – who are just at home delivering standalone projects under their Principal Contractors Licence – were able to call upon their experience in-house project delivery processes to provide a robust cost loaded programme of activities that could be accurately monitored.
Global Rail Services secured a four-year framework with Irish Rail to provide maintenance and renewal, of the mechanical and electrical systems and services at 400No railway stations throughout Ireland.
Having submitted a most compelling tender, Global Rail Services, have delivered, tested and commissioned over €2.6m of mechanical and electrical works to date.
The works, which include both planned and un-planned maintenance and renewal, also relied upon Global Rail Services registration with an authorised Electrical Safety Supervisory Body (ESSB) and their registration and compliance with both The Energy Act 2006 and the Commission of Energy Regulation (CER).
The Dublin based business, is also an RGI registered mechanical installer and is completing PPMW works as per NSAI SR50 – 1:2010 Code of Practise for building services – Part 1 Domestic plumbing & heating systems, implementing all UARW works in compliance with IE
Specification for Mechanical Installations 10/SP-005 and service all existing gas filled air cooling systems as per BS-EN 15240 – Air Conditioning Systems.
By appointing Global Rail Services in the roles of Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) and Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS), Irish Rail were able to ensure that the works would be managed in full compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006.
A vastly experienced in-house mechanical and electrical engineering team, has allowed Global Rail Services to provide resources to fulfil these roles and deliver an emergency call-out service which meets the two-hour response window.
Global Rail Construction were selected by Siemens as design and build civil engineering contractor for a Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) that was required to cross under a Grade 2 listed building, the Great River Ouse, Ouse Road and the East Coast Mainline railway in the heart of Selby town centre.
Utilising their in-house multi-disciplinary design team, Global Rail Construction were able to offer Siemens a complete design and build solution.
The civil engineering works, which formed part of the Selby Rail Swing Bridge Signalling Interlocking Renewal being undertaken by signalling product specialist Siemens, were being specifically undertaken to renew the existing electricity cables, which had been installed in 1956 and were located under the river.
The project consisted of the replacement of the swing bridge cabin signalling interlocking onto a new interlocking building, incorporating new lineside equipment from locations 128, 129, 130 and 131, which also required cables to traverse into the river at this location. The conventional approach of simply running the signalling cable across the bridge was not appropriate, as one 40m span of the swing bridge – which was built in circa 1900 – allowed river traffic to pass. Hence, Global Rail Construction designed a suitable ducted solution to carry telecommunication, signalling and power cables on behalf of their client.
Having commenced their first framework for Irish Rail back in 2006, Global Rail Services are now working on their third consecutive four-year railway agreement for both the construction of station cark parks and platforms.
As one of eight current preferred contractors, Global Rail Services have maintained high levels of customer satisfaction for their performance, consistently delivering a high quality service and as a result have been awarded works in excess of €15m to date.
Civil Engineering is at the core of Global Rail Services’ offering. The company have constructed new station car park & Platforms facilities and built and upgraded many station new platforms to both increase capacity, and to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), across mainline and metropolitan stations throughout Ireland.
These works also encompass electrical, mechanical, CCTV and telecommunications installations and upgrades, where Global Rail Services are able to call upon their in house M&E department to provide the necessary engineering and delivery support.
It is this turnkey solution that has enabled Global Rail Services to provide comprehensive project solutions – providing Irish Rail with contract surety.
The works formed a fundamental part of the Irish Rail’s programme to improve passenger experience and increase capacity, at both mainline and metropolitan railway stations throughout Ireland.
The scope for the car parks involved the complexities of working adjacent to a live railway station and required professional community engagement to ensure that patrons and stakeholders were fully informed before and during the works.
The platform works involved close liaison with Irish Rail’s railway systems signalling team and also their track infrastructure engineers. Although, Global Rail Services undertook any associated track modifications as part of another framework with Irish Rail for Permanent Way.
Global Rail Australia secured via competitive tender the contract on behalf of regional train operator V-Line in 2016, to provide a full turnkey civil and structural engineering service, for the fabrication and installation of a new bridge superstructure in Victoria.
The existing Railway Bridge, sits on the Ballarat passenger service line at O’Connor, serving the regional districts of Victoria.
V-Line as part of a large programme of rail upgrades, selected Global Rail Australia as the preferred contractor to replace the life expired wrought iron and timber structure with a newly fabricated concrete superstructure.
The works required careful planning and involved detailed surveys, production of detailed shop drawings for the new deck and walls, pre-installation testing of the fabricated concrete sections and the replacement of the bridge during a three-day occupation of the railway line.
Scaffolding was erected on O’Connor Road adjacent to the bridge abutments and during the railway closure, the existing tracks were lifted out and the rail ballast removed, to facilitate the removal of the old structure.
The new bridge deck and walls were then lifted with a 100 tonne crane – fully facilitated on site by the Global Rail Australia’s specialist civil and structural engineering crew. These were then carefully lowered into position, where Global’s site engineering team could fix them into their correct positions.
Due to the railway closure alternative bus services were laid on to enable passengers affected by the closure to travel around the works.
Works were completed on time and the project was handed back on 22nd May 2016.
