Rail Tech Group awarded Investors in People accreditation

In December 2011 the Rail Tech Group was once again successfully accredited with the UK’s Investors in People Award. The Rail Tech Group achieved the award after the successful completion of an onsite assessment that involved input from all aspects of its business. Launched in 1991, Investors in People is the UK's leading people management standard. The Investors in People is a business improvement tool designed to help all kinds of organisations develop performance through their people.

Rail Tech Group’s Managing Director Simon Jamieson said “Whether you achieve the Investors in People Standard at either Bronze, Silver or Gold accreditation, becoming an Investors in People organisation is a tremendous achievement. It demonstrates a commitment to the development and success of our people and a desire to continually improve and grow. When you take into consideration that Rail Tech was also awarded Network Rail’s Investors in People Award, it shows that as a business, we are getting well deserved credit for the amount of time and expense that we are putting into the development of our people.”

Rail Tech complete Depford Station Redevelopment Signalling Works

The £7million Depford Station redevelopment programme was jointly funded by Lewisham Council and the National Station Improvement Programme. The redevelopment itself included the construction of a new station building, modern ticket office, a ticket window for people with disabilities and improved passenger information. The redevelopment works also accomodated for the provision of two new station staircases as well as two new lifts to create step-free access between the station entrance and platforms. The existing station canopies along both platforms were replaced with longer canopies to provide passengers with better protection from the weather

As part of the main works Rail Tech Group worked in partnership with VolkerFitzpatrick to deliver all the associated signalling changes associated with the redevelopment scheme. Rail Tech provided a dedicated in-house nominated Signalling CRE throughout the scheme, with all works undertaken in accordance under NR/L3/SIG/11303/2M05.

The main signalling deliverable was to reposition an existing Banner repeater signal that was to be replaced with a new LED type Banner Repeater signal. This involved the installation of new cabling, Signal ID Plate and associated location case wiring changes. Works were successfully completed on time and to budget.

Other significant items that were delivered as part of the signalling remit included:

• Production of SSOWP / Work Package Plans / Task Briefing Sheets
• Installation of new Banner Repeater Signal & ID Plate
• Signalling CRE’s responsibilities & Signalling site supervision
• Alterations in existing location cases
• Termination of 7 cores cables
• Installation of new equipment into existing locations
• Running and terminating new lineside cables
• Signalling Commissioning
• Recovery & Disposal of redundant signalling assets

Rail Tech complete Signalling works at North Fambridge

The Rail Tech Group recently completed its signalling work at North Fambridge on behalf of C Spencer who in turn were undertaking the main platform extension works for Network Rail. The primary aim of the North Fambridge Loop Extension project was to provide the appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the introduction of 12 car trains between Liverpool Street and Wickford stations, some of these continuing albeit with rear 4 carriages locked out of use to Southminster Station.

The Rail Tech Group was selected by C Spencer Ltd to undertake all the signalling changes that were required as part of this overall platform extension scheme. This included all GRIP 6-8 deliverables such as the project management, CRE responsibilities, task briefing, work package planning and the procurement, installation and test & commissioning of all signalling assets.

The signalling in the station area was controlled from London Liverpool Street via a SSI style interlocking and utilised colour light signals and track circuit block. The existing arrangements for train detection in the area around Fambridge station were predominantly DC medium voltage, AC immune track circuits and these were retained throughout to maintain uniformity of design and to retain the required levels of immunisation.

Deliverables that were encountered during the project included: 

• Alterations to existing track circuits (BC, BD, BE, BH & BJ)
• Installation of New LED Signals 696 & 651
• Installation of New TPWS Equipment
• Installation of New AWS
• Installation of New In-Bearer Clamplock Point Machine
• Installation of New Pre-fabricated Location Case
• Alterations & Wiring Modifications to the existing interlocking & locations.
• Repositioning of Signal Post Telephones
• Signal Works Testing / Commissioning of New Signalling equipment.
• Decommission and Removal of redundant signalling equipment

During the programme of works, the major blockade date was significantly brought forward and an accelerated programme was put in place. Despite this major change all deliverables were met and the project remained on time and within budget.

Rail Tech Group successfully complete S&T works at Billinghurst Station

Network Rail’s strategic business plan is to increase passenger capacity by 12% over the UK network within the next 4 years. As part of this target, Billingshurst Station was one of the first stations selected for significant platform extension works required to accommodate 8 car trains and the use of class 377 EMU rolling stock.

Rail Tech Group’s involvement with the project was to manage and deliver all of the signalling installation and test & commissioning works on behalf of main contractor Barhale Rail. This included the provision of a CRE, the production of Work Package Plans, Task Briefing sheets, Safe Systems of Work and Test Plans.

During the works it was imperative that the physical trackside works did not interfere with signaller’s duties at Billingshurst Signal Box and additional care was required when undertaking, working and inspecting the mechanical locking frame that dated back to 1874.

All the implemented changes were tested and checked over a 2 stage commissioning. Signalling works involved with the project included the following deliverables:

• Extension and shortening of track circuits.
• Recovery of existing fibre optic banner repeater signal and structure. The provision of new LED banner repeater signal (State 2 type) and structure.
• Recovery and renewal of existing location case.
• Installation of new stop boards & speed board signage
• Assisting with alterations to mechanical locking.
• Recovery of signal BT12.
• Extension to existing trough route
• Re-positioning and installation of SDO

The Rail Tech Group was highly commended by both Barhale Rail and Network Rail on their professional and flexible approach to the works. All works were commissioned on time and to budget.

We are UK National Training Award Winners!

The National Training Awards are run on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) by UK Skills. They are designed to inspire and encourage UK industry to invest in training and development as a route to achieving outstanding organisational and individual success.

Winning an Award is recognition of best practice and provides a benchmark for standards of excellence in training in the UK. City & Guilds is the premier sponsor of the 2010 National Training Awards.

Following our success at the 2008 National Training Awards where we were awarded winner of “Best Medium Sized Employer”, we are now delighted to announce that we have received two further awards at the 2010 event.

We were winner of the regional award: “Best Medium Sized Employer” in the East of England. This was due to the quality of training and overall investment given to all of our staff and clients. We then went on to win the UK award for “Best Medium Sized Employer”. This award is only given to exceptional examples of excellence chosen from the regional award winners in each category.