The British standard has been increasingly embraced by a variety of different sectors including  Nuclear, Aerospace, Telecommunications, Ministry of Defence ,The Department for Transport and now more recently Rail.

The recent growth in interest within the Rail sector has been fuelled by both opportunities identified within the McNulty report for greater efficiencies within UK Rail and the call from Sir David Higgins, Network Rail's Chief Executive, for a more collaborative approach to help reach the ORR’s efficiency targets.

Network Rail themselves achieved BS11000 accreditation across four major projects in April 2012 and Simon Kirby, Managing Director of Network Rail Infrastructure Projects, was pleased to present the accreditation certificate to Simon Jamieson, Managing Director  of the Rail Tech Group, at the ceremony attended by industry leaders and other accredited companies Atkins , Balfour Beatty and Costain.

When the McNulty Report was published in May 2011, it made numerous references to the benefits that collaborative working could bring to the Rail sector and specifically mentioned BS11000 as a tool for achieving it.

The Standard, which is the first its kind and is receiving world wide recognition and interest, offers a framework developed to enhance and strengthen Collaborative Business Relationships. It is developed as a multi-stage process, which builds on an organisation’s existing best practice. - from concept to disengagement. It covers areas such as Awareness Knowledge, Internal assessment, Partner selection, Working relationship, Additional value creation, staying together and Exit strategy.

Simon Jamieson, Rail Tech Group’s Managing Director was clearly delighted with the accreditation and commented “Rail Tech’s biggest challenge has been to take what has predominately been a large company initiative utilised in improving its supply chain relationship, and convert it into an integrated part of an SME’s management system aimed at improving our ability  to identify and establish, where appropriate strong collaborative  relationships with Customers and Suppliers to deliver joint success.

Rail Tech has always recognised the huge advantages that collaborative working can bring to business relationships, upholding  Partnering  along with Honesty, Integrity, Growth, Responsibility, Teamwork and Respect as a company value.

There is clearly much work ahead if we are to realise all the benefits that BS 11000 and collaborative working in general offers the Rail industry, as was so clearly emphasised within the McNulty report. Organisations in the sector will need to gain a full understanding of collaborative working.  They will need to establish collaborative leadership skills and train staff accordingly. New processes will need to be introduced and, critically, new cultures and behaviours will need to be developed.

One of the key areas of collaborative working is that it seeks to bring companies together to develop fresh and new ideas that can bring benefits to both parties. We are obviously extremely pleased to have achieved accreditation amplified by the fact that we are the first SME in the world to do so. However although accreditation is reassuring we are just as hopeful that applying the  BS11000 process will reinforce our commitment to seek and  form stronger and lasting relationships with existing and new customers who recognise the benefits of working collaboratively”.

The Rail Tech Group can be proudly associated with their completed signalling works at Loughborough Station that officially reopened on 4^th May 2012. The station refurbishment cost over £8m, with Loughborough University being used as an official preparation camp for the 2012 Olympics.

East Midlands Trains, the Train Operating Company running the route services, were keen to complete all of the refurbishment work before May 2012. The company said it will be a gateway for people travelling during the Games, with Team GB and the Japanese team training at the Leicestershire University. 

The platform extension itself at Loughborough Station formed part of the overall East Midlands platform lengthening project. The ultimate aim of the project itself was to provide additional capacity on the East Midlands route by running longer passenger trains.  

The existing platform lengths at Loughborough Station were deemed inadequate to cater for these future services, and as such, the platform lengths were required to be lengthend by some 130 metres. The changes in the platform lengths ultimately impacted upon the existing signalling layout of the station area itself and also the signalling panel at Leicester Signal Box.  

The specified changes in the signalling works, both from a signalling installation and signal works testing works perspective, were awarded directly to Rail Tech Group by Network Rail. All works were completed under a NR9 contract after a competitive lump sum tender process. The project was managed and delivered with a dedicated Rail Tech Group project team that included Signalling CRE, HSQE, Signalling Supervision and Testing Manager roles.  

Problematical areas of the project that were overcome included working around the major civils activities, as well as access restrictions that included one of the four roads to be open at any one time. 

As well as providing additional capacity for passengers, the project also provided sufficient access to the fantastic sports facilities at Loughborough University. The extra access works will assist many 2012 Olympic athletes in using the sports facilities. The deadline for the project was met by all aspects of the project, and the new platform was successfully opened on 4th May 2012.

• Erection & signalling termination of 4 LED signal heads       
• Erection of 1 Banner Repeater
• Signal Installation of new AWS & TPWS equipment
• Installation of new Signal Post Telephones
• Installation of new location case
• Alterations to the existing interlocking & track circuits
• Alterations to NX panel (Installation of Temporary Overlays)
• Decommissioning and removal of redundant signalling equipment
• Planning & Delivery of 9-Stage Test & Commissioning strategy

Managed by Rail Tech Group’s Tendering Manager Keith Hall, a high number of these enquiries have now been converted into fantastic results, recently reaching over the £4 Million mark. Most notable successes have been on the following schemes:

The success of the Rail Tech Group tendering division has been built on an ethos of detailed and professional pricing.  All tenders are backed up with a strong emphasis on open communication. Rail Tech has provided detailed costings for works covering GRIP 5-8 ranging from £5,000 to £5 Million.

Rail Tech hopes to continue its recent successes with further project awards in the very near future.

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

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.

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.

During the recent Network Rail Annual Partnership Awards we were both delighted and honoured to be awarded the title of Winner for the category “Investment in People.”

The Network Rail Partnership Awards provide an occasion to reward and recognise excellence and best practice among organisations who have worked with them helping to achieve the companies’ aims and objectives over the past year.

The winners for 2010 were announced at an awards dinner hosted by comedian Rory Bremner at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Thursday 15 July 2010 and were attended by many of Network Rail’s senior managers, including Peter Henderson, Simon Kirby, Patrick Butcher and Iain Coucher.

The Investing in People Award recognises and celebrates “projects and organisations who have demonstrated excellence in investing in people”.

The judges awarded the title to Rail Tech Group for its “continual commitment and first-class development of its employees,” whilst also recognising its ethos in recruiting and bringing in fresh people into the rail industry.

This achievement coupled together with our recent award as regional winner of the “Investors in People” title at the National Training Awards strengthens our reputation as a company that develops and continues to produce first class Signalling and Telecoms engineers for the rail industry.

Presentiations were made by the President of the IRSE, Paul Jenkins, the Guest of Honour, John Drake and the Chief Executive, Colin Porter.

After an excellent meal, everyone had time to network and socialise.