At 03.33 hours on 4th January 2010, Invensys Rail successfully commissioned a new signaling system covering the South Erewash 'Trent Triangle "area (Phase 2b), part of the multi-million pound East Midlands Hub and Spoke RESIGNALLING and remodeling program. This follows the successful commissioning of Phase 2A of the program in October 2009, which covered the Toton area, and will help deliver increased line speeds, improved performance, greater line capacity and faster journey times across the area.

The latest commissioning was carried out over a 17 day period which saw five new Solid State Interlocking (SSIS) brought into service, together with modifications to existing four interlocking. The new line side signaling system is now controlled from East Midlands Control Center (EMCC) at Derby, where the team commissioned a new Invensys Rail WESTCAD workstation and modified existing workstations.

A PC-based control and display system, WESTCAD provided a cost-effective solution that delivers a number of significant benefits for rail operators. Easy to set up and configure, the system is capable of being networked using an existing LAN or WAN infrastructure. It can drive multiple screens to show various status views, with the display capable of being configured to meet the preferences of each individual operator.

This reconfiguration allows the flexibility and simple control system to maintain the same operator interface during successive stages of infrastructure changes. Modular and future-proof, SSIS WESTCAD drives, and most other relay interlocking interlocking via a suitable communications link.
As a result of the South Erewash work, the Centralization of control at the new EMCC stationed at Derby is migrating further control from the existing Trent Power Signal Box and has allowed the closure of a gate box at Lock Lane. The remodeling of Trent East Junction also allows parallel moves to take place over the junction, as well as the conversion of the existing goods lines to slow lines (Passenger Standard) through Toton and on the high level lines, through to Ratcliffe North Trent South Junction .

In all, the new interlocking control now 173 new axle counter sections, 34 sets of points (some of which were part of a major remodeling of the permanent way Trent East Junction on the Christmas blockade), 99 new LED signals, nine new relocatable equipment buildings and 85 new cases location. The scheme also included five line-side relay FRINGES which required modifications to be under duties to adjacent interlocking and train describer systems.

In addition, five level crossings were renewed with alterations having to be made to two existing manually controlled barrier / CCTV crossing locations. As part of the program in 1024 Westronic new systems were also commissioned, under trial, to provide emergency alarms functions from all the adjacent signal boxes as well as remote alarms from all the relocatable equipment boxes and principal supply points. Additionally, and in parallel with the changeover and testing work, the commissioning team under Invensys took a significant amount of recoveries during the blockade, in order to minimize post-commissioning works.

Commenting on the program Grant Sparks, Regional Director North, at Invensys Rail said: "This has been a particularly intense program of work, working alongside other Spoke Contractors, both in terms of the design and development work and then the installation and commissioning of the Christmas blockade. Considering the exceptional snow and ice weather conditions over the whole period, it was a fantastic record for the Hub and Spoke multi-discipline team on the project that there were no injuries or accidents during the period. Naturally, we? re delighted to have delivered such a modern and robust signaling solution for Network Rail which will deliver such significant performance and operational benefits.

A consortium of Invensys Rail, Siemens Mobility and D/A Builders, LLC,  will install Automatic Train Control (ATC) utilising advanced Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) technology plus a back-up conventional signalling system on the entire Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) mainline network including all central office, wayside and train borne equipment locations.

Invensys will perform design services and provide a new vital-processor based interlocking system utilising digital track circuits to replace the existing relay based signal system and track circuits.  This system will be integrated with the new ATC system provided by Siemens Mobility and installed by D/A Builders, LLC.

Kevin Riddett, President of Invensys Rail in North America, highlighted the importance of the contract to the company, saying:  "This is a significant project in the US and is yet another success for our North American operations.  We are delighted to be given the opportunity to work on such a high-profile project in one of the world?s most exciting regions."

"Modernizing the PATH rail system has been one of the Port Authority's top priorities in recent years to help bolster our region's economic future,'' said Anthony Coscia, the Port Authority's chairman. "Replacing PATH's century-old signal system with 21st Century technology will enhance passenger safety, boost capacity and improve reliability."

The $321 million ATC/CBTC signal system project, approved by the Board of the Port Authority of NY & NJ in October 2009, will enable PATH to increase system capacity and improve reliability and efficiency; thus, sustaining a high level of service for PATH's 250,000 daily passengers.  In addition, the ATC/CBTC system ensures PATH compliance with new Federal Positive Train Control regulations that take effect December 31, 2015.

Leading railway control and communications systems provider Invensys Rail today announced that it will be strengthening its management team with the appointment of mass transit system expert Peter Bradley as Global Director of Project Development and Leader of Product Lifecycle Management.

The announcement follows a string of high profile successes in the mass transit sector, including major projects in Sao Paulo, Vancouver, Madrid and Singapore, amongst others.

Peter Bradley has extensive and wide-ranging experience in advanced communication systems for mass transit and heavy rail and will be based at Invensys Rail's UK headquarters in Chippenham and the company's new Communications Based Train Control centre in London. Over his career, he has participated in a number of high-profile mass transit programmes, most notably on the massive New York Subway modernisation.

Invensys Rail Vice President Global Business Development, Andrew King, welcomed Mr Bradley to his new role, saying: "I am absolutely delighted to welcome Peter on board and am convinced he will add considerable value to our business."

Mr Bradley added: "Invensys Rail's reputation and experience in the heavy rail and mass transit sectors is unparalleled and I am particularly looking forward to bringing my experience to help the company compete for and win new business in the rapidly expanding metro and Communications Based Train Control sectors”.

Leading railway control and communications systems provider Invensys Rail today announced that it has signed a major five-year, multi-million dollar contract with global consulting, technology and business process outsourcing services company Cognizant to enhance its extensive research and development (R&D) activities all over the world.

Cognizant will help Invensys Rail to increase the efficiency of its R&D processes and speed the time taken to bring new products to market. The business relationship will also help Invensys Rail increase its research and development activities within current budgets, as well as providing greater flexibility to react to market demand.

The move - part of the company's Excellence in Delivery of Global Engineering (EDGE) strategy - will also enhance Invensys Rail's growing presence and reputation in the Indian rail market, which is one of the largest and fastest growing in the world.

Invensys Rail's divisions in the UK and Australia, Spain, and the United States will benefit from the deal, and it is expected that 120 Invensys Rail staff based in Hyderabad, India, will transfer to Cognizant as a result.

Invensys Rail Chief Executive Officer James Drummond said: "This business relationship is highly significant for the ongoing growth of Invensys Rail in both mature and emerging markets.
"By enhancing our industry-leading R&D activities with Cognizant's proven expertise, railways and metro networks all over the world will be able to benefit from our proven and advanced range of train control and communication systems with enhanced end user support and faster product development."

Cognizant President and CEO, Francisco D'Souza added: “We are pleased to partner with Invensys Rail and welcome on board their highly talented and experienced professionals in Hyderabad. “Cognizant is committed to leveraging their specialized expertise and our own world-class consulting, enterprise integration, services-based architecture, business intelligence, supply chain and product lifecycle management capabilities to help Invensys Rail develop industry-leading solutions for emerging requirements, create newer service models, and broaden its services portfolio. We are confident we will significantly augment Invensys Rail’s ability to innovate and ramp-up the delivery of products. This multi-dimensional relationship will help both companies solidify our leadership positions in the rail industry.”

Alistair McPhee, Managing Director of Invensys Rail Ltd (previously known as Westinghouse Rail Systems Ltd) has decided to leave the company on 31st December 2009. Alistair, who joined the company in 2002 as Projects Director, became Managing Director in 2006 and has overseen the growth of the company in both the UK and in export markets in Europe and the Far East. James Drummond, CEO and President of Invensys Rail said “I would like to thank Alistair for his leadership and contribution to the success of the business over the past 7 years and wish him well for the future”. Mark Wild, currently General Manager Core Markets, will become Acting Managing Director.

Tune in to the second in the new mini-series of Rail Technology podcasts in which James Drummond, CEO of Invensys Rail outlines the rail technology solutions for fast efficient transport around the world.

You can tune in using the player above. Alternatively, if you want to make sure you don't miss a single episode you can subscribe to the Rail Technology podcast using iTunes, Google, Zencast just by clicking on the appropriate button on the right hand side of this blog. Once you've subscribed, you will receive each podcast automatically as soon as it is published.

Leading railway control and communications systems provider Invensys Rail today announced that it will be opening a Global Centre of Excellence for Communication-based train control (CBTC) in Central London. Following this year’s substantial growth and global expansion the London hub is the latest in a series of steps to underpin the company’s commitment to its international client base and the UK rail industry.

James Drummond, Invensys Rail CEO and President, stated: “With key international project wins, including this month’s £255 million São Paulo Metro award, we are delighted to offer our clients centralised CBTC expertise from our new office in the heart of London. We feel that this new location will add significant value to our services.”

Based near St James park station, the London bureau will be staffed by thirty highly qualified experts but the company is still actively recruiting in order to build on their recent success.

On October 22, 2009, leading railway control and communications systems provider Invensys Rail, Brazilian engineering company Montagens e Projetos Especiais (MPE) and Spanish telecoms specialists Infoglobal have signed a milestone £255 (€280) million contract to upgrade the Signalling and ATC on lines 8, 10 and 11 of São Paulo's rapidly developing Metro system.

Invensys Rail will install its Sirius Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) system on all three lines and associated rolling stock along with WESTRACE interlockings, point machines and LED signals, totalling a 60% share within the consortium. To minimise disruption during the upgrade, the new system will be installed and designed to operate alongside the existing signalling system until the project is fully completed. This approach has been successfully used by Invensys Rail on metros around the world and has proved highly successful in delivering complex projects on-time and on budget with the minimum disruption to passengers.

Invensys Rail CEO and President James Drummond highlighted the importance of the contract to the company, saying: "This is our first major project award in Brazil and is yet another success for our Communications-Based Train Control systems after winning the signalling contract for Singapore's new Downtown Line. We are delighted to be given the opportunity to work on such a high-profile project in one of the world's most exciting cities."

The contract marks Invensys Rail's biggest success to date in the Brazilian market, and with rapid development of heavy-haul freight routes, commuter and metro networks and a planned high speed line in the country, Invensys Rail believes this award will provide a platform for expansion in this important and growing market.

The three lines are owned and operated by Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (CPTM). Line 8 is 35km long with 20 stations; Line 10 is 37km with 15 stations and Line 11 is 37km long with 12 stations. In total, 136 trains and maintenance vehicles operate on the three lines to transport over one million passengers per working day.

It’s been a summer of long-term strategic consultation for the UK’s railways, with electrification and high-speed rail dominating the industry’s agenda. Remarkably (so far at least) there is cross-party and cross-industry consensus on the need though not the extent of both.

So far, so good, but with politicians and decision-makers faced with a veritable smorgasbord of options for enhancing the railway, they will take a while to make up their minds about what the best mix of electrification and high-speed rail is. And this isn’t good news for passengers travelling on the older second-generation diesel multiple units introduced almost three decades ago.

Classes 142-150 are all approaching or past their design lives and replacements should be sought – but will they be diesel or electric, hybrid or conventional – or perhaps even powered by something exotic like fuel cells? Until a decision on electrification is taken, no leasing company in its right mind is going to invest in self-powered trains, while funding considerations may limit orders for conventional trains of all types if high-speed rail is approved.
Either way, it looks like passengers from Scotland to Land’s End are going to have to watch and wait while their ageing diesel trains move rapidly into obsolescence without a clear strategy to replace them.

Transport congestion is a major issue in many parts of the world. Rail and metro systems can provide the answer provided that passenger capacity can be increased with a reduced carbon footprint. Impossible? Well, not according to James Drummond CEO of Invensys Rail who outlines the solutions for fast efficient transport to the world increasing population.

Tune in to the first in a mini-series of Rail Technology podcasts in which this very topical subject is discussed using the player above.  Alternatively, you can subscribe to the Rail Technology podcast using iTunes, Google, Zencast or your preferred software to receive each podcast automatically as soon as it is published.

Invensys Rail, a leading provider of railway control and communications solutions, today announced that it has appointed Charles Riley Business Solutions Director. Mr. Riley's imperative will be to further the creation of long lived, sustainable client value by leveraging the whole of the Invensys technology portfolio.  

Charles Riley held a number of posts within Westinghouse Rail Systems Ltd., a subsidiary of Invensys Rail, including Systems Engineering Manager, R&D Manager and, more recently, General Manager, New Markets before he moved into his new role.

 James Drummond, CEO of Invensys Rail, stated: "Charles' unusually strong capability for innovation and knowledge of rail technologies enables us to focus even better on delivering the ‘railway of tomorrow’ to our clients. With a portfolio of new international contracts we are pleased to welcome yet another highly experienced team member to leverage the joint strength of all the group companies."

As the world 100 m record is smashed by Usain Bolt so the UK look towards the new generation of athletes set to break records at 2012 British Olympics.

Joseph Hutchinson, aged only sixteen has the air of future greatness about him with his eyes firmly set on future Gold medals in the 200m and Decathlon events. His track record is as impressive as his 6ft 5in height, another similarity to Usain Bolt. This year he has already won the U17 Men's Heptathlon with a 200m time of 22.64 sec, a new club record. His success is a testament Britain's youth training programme allowing Joseph has reach this level of success and the dedication of his coach Roger Miller at Team Bath AC.  

In addition to his intensive training programme Joseph is reliant on the dedication of his parents Steve and Anne both teachers at Devizes School in Wiltshire and the funding of his sponsor Invensys Rail part of the FTSE 100 company, Invensys plc. The costs associated with the purchase of equipment and travel can soon become prohibitive and so the continued sponsorship of Invensys Rail is vital if Joseph is to realise his full athletic potential.

"This season has been great with success in the Sheffield U17 Heptathlon but in order to compete at this level I need the right equipment particularly spikes. The other big expense is travel, not only my three training sessions per week but also getting to events. As the events are spread across the country turning up to compete after a long car journey is just is not feasible. With the sponsorship from Invensys Rail we can arrive the day before, stay in a hotel so I can be properly prepared for the competition and that's a massive help," said Joseph. Also having regular physio to fix any niggles meaning that I can be more confident when entering competitions, not only does it make a physically difference but it helps me mentally knowing that I will be on top form.

So what's the next challenge for Joseph? The UK School games will take place this month where he will be competing in the 200m and 4x400m. He hopes that the results of this event will further confirm his position as one of the Britain's top ten athletes in his age group.

Network Rail – the UK infrastructure manager- got a deservedly warm reception for its recent electrification strategy and for the pragmatism with which it made such a compelling case for extending the wires and third-rail beyond the 40% or so of the network they currently cover. But is there more to this than meets the eye?

Take a look at the Great Western Main Line to see what I’m getting at. The £500 million Reading remodelling is due to be finished in 2015 with passive provision for overhead electrification and European Train Control System (ETCS) signalling; Crossrail is due to open to Maidenhead in around 2017; the 200km/h Super Express Trains should be entering service by then in electric and dual-mode versions; and ETCS is due to be rolled-out on the route from 2017.

In fact, when you pull the various strands together, it looks rather like a plan for a root-and-branch upgrade of the Great Western Main Line, with everything from track to trains and signalling being modernised almost beyond recognition. The ETCS side is particularly intriguing as it offers the potential to virtually eliminate potential electro-magnetic current interference with existing signalling systems that could be caused by electrification (an issue which adds greatly to the cost of extending the wires). It would make sense to install it as part of the electrification programme and mitigate the effects of Crossrail on slow lines between Reading and London before it becomes a major operational headache. Network Rail must have considered all these points in coming up with the various strategies.

So, full-marks to Network Rail for thinking its electrification strategy through so thoroughly – and for recognising (and not every railway does this) that extending the wires must go hand-in-hand with other fundamental infrastructure and rolling stock developments.

Download the full electrification strategy as a PDF

It’s difficult not to feel sorry for freight operators in Europe and North America at the moment. The nature of the recession means volumes in rail’s core markets are plummeting by more than 30% in some cases. When Deutsche Bahn starts storing a hefty proportion of its wagons you know things are serious.

Yet as a general rule, rail is maintaining its market share: road hauliers are suffering too, and smaller companies are going to the wall. Some previously road-based logistics companies are now seriously considering expanding their rail operations or introducing new ones to take advantage of rail’s environmental and economic benefits.

That the recession is hitting freight hard is inevitable given the markets rail operators exist in, but it is also spurring some operators into action to address issues of staffing and operations that have been ignored for too long. The need now is for greater efficiency without harming safety, punctuality and transit times and the recession provides a compelling reason to drive through changes that would otherwise be resisted by customers, staff, and where applicable, infrastructure managers.

Could the recession lead operators to find ways of increasing average speeds (which are still pitiably low for cross-border traffic in Europe, to name but one example) and increase capacity? The technology to do so is available - from advanced software to more efficient rolling stock and advanced infrastructure and process management systems used in other related sectors.

Make no mistake: for any operator brave enough to make the most of the possibilities new technology offers, from adversity could truly come greatness.

As the world’s rail industry ramps-up investment in advanced technology, railway signalling and control systems company Invensys Rail is enhancing its senior management team with the appointment of Richard Prophet as Global Sales Director.

Prophet joins from Cable&Wireless Worldwide, where he was VP International Sales. Before that, he held senior positions with market-leading IT companies including Lucent and Compaq.

“I am delighted to be joining Invensys Rail at this exciting time for the global rail industry. My experience in major outsourcing and managed services projects fits well with the company’s focus as it builds on its best ever results for the last 12 months” he said.

Richard Prophet will be based in Invensys Rail’s UK headquarters at Chippenham in the UK.

As rail industry bosses head to London for the ‘Rail 2009 - Unlocking future growth: Delivering a Modern Sustainable Rail System’ conference on June 16, the Chief Executive of Invensys Rail, James Drummond, says the prospects for rail market are looking remarkably healthy despite the recession.

Invensys Rail – one of the world’s leading railway signalling and control systems company – has had a busy first quarter on top of its best ever results for the year ending in March , winning major orders in the UK, United States, Spain, and Australasia, and bidding for a host of upcoming contracts in Asia, Europe, and North and South America. It has also strengthened its global sales and marketing team in anticipation of future growth.

“There is a growing recognition in countries all over the world that investment in mainline  and metro signalling systems is amongst the most effective ways of meeting the challenges presented by rising populations and demand for travel,” says Mr Drummond.

“Thanks to the tremendous efforts made by Invensys Rail staff all over the world, our range of advanced signalling and control systems is already helping rail play a major role in cutting transport pollution and increasing mobility – a role which will only increase in its importance.”

Invensys Rail is entering into partnerships with leading suppliers in China and India to compete for major projects in these rapidly-growing economies, while in the United States, planned government investment in conventional and high-speed rail is also expected to lead to big orders.

The European market continues to drive forward with the expansion of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS)  and with extensive and industry-leading expertise in this sector, Invensys Rail is leading the spread of this high-tech signalling system as it rolls-out across the continent and further afield.

Christoph Theis has been appointed as Invensys Rail’s Business Development Director for Germany , as the railway signalling and control systems provider continues to build on its considerable successes in the European market.

Christoph Theis has extensive experience of the German rail industry, having worked in DB and as a consultant in the industry for many years. On his appointment, he said: “I am extremely excited about helping to build on Invensys Rail’s achievements in Germany. Our comprehensive range of solutions, already proven in many countries across the world, will ensure we can help maintain Germany’s position as one of the world’s great railway markets”.  
He will be based in the new Invensys Rail office in Westhafenplatz 1, Frankfurt/Main

•    Orders rise by 109% at constant exchange rates (CER) as rail industry continues to demonstrate strong fundamentals
•    Operating profit soars 32% at CER to £134 million
•    Operating margin improves to 21.1%
An impressive performance from railway control and communication solutions provider Invensys Rail helped Invensys plc report a robust performance in the financial year ended 31 March 2009 despite the economic downturn. Overall Invensys plc made operating profits of £244 million on revenue of £2,284 million, with underlying earnings per share1 of 14.1p.
Invensys Rail – which also owns the Westinghouse Rail Systems and Dimetronic brands – saw operating profit soar by 32% to £134 million, while orders rose from £429 million in 2007/08 to £968 million – a 109% rise at CER.
During the year Invensys Rail won major contracts both within and outside of its core markets. In the UK, it won an important contract from Network Rail to undertake signalling enabling works at Reading Station, which represents the first state of the £425 million Reading Redevelopment Project.  It has also recently won a contract from Crossrail Ltd to evaluate signalling and control solutions for the Crossrail project.

Outside the UK, Invensys Rail’s Spanish operation Dimetronic continued to build on its success, winning £155 million of contracts for the signalling of the Madrid-Valencia high-speed line, and receiving a letter of award for a £44 million contract on the Barcelona-Figueras high-speed line.

Singapore’s Land Transit Authority awarded Invensys Rail a £123 million contract for the country’s new Downtown Line, while, in New Zealand, Westinghouse Rail Systems Australia is to install European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) signalling in Auckland – the first project of its type in Australasia. Another major ERTMS contract is for the installation of the pan-European signalling system on the Ankara–Konya high-speed line in Turkey. In North America, Invensys Rail’s recently-acquired operation, Quantum Engineering, is set to benefit from investment in Positive Train Control signalling systems.

Despite the recession, Invensys Rail believes the global rail market remains strong, helped by growing recognition of rail’s environmental and economic benefits over other modes of transport for both passengers and freight, and also by government stimulus packages investing in rail.

Invensys Rail Chief Executive, James Drummond, said: “We are extremely pleased with Invensys Rail’s performance in all of our markets. The fundamentals of the rail market are strong, and we believe our range of advanced and scalable signalling and communication solutions positions us well to benefit from initiatives to enhance capacity and safety on mainline and mass transit networks all around the world.”

Table: Invensys Rail financial performance
Year ended 31 March                   2009      2008    % change at CER2    % total change
Orders (£m)                                    968        429              109%                       126%
Revenue (£m)                                 636        539                 9%                         18%
Operating profit3 (£m)                    134         93                32%                         44%
Operating margin3 (%)                21.1%     17.3%        
Operating cash flow (£m)               128         93                 26%                        38%
Operating cash conversion (%)      96%      100%        

1    Calculated by reference to earnings before exceptional finance costs and income, and foreign exchange losses on financial items. Prior year earnings per share also exclude the PPP settlement credit.
2    % change is measured as the change at CER as a percentage of the 2008 adjusted base and is calculated based on underlying amounts in £’000s.
3    All references to operating profit and operating margin are arrived at before exceptional items, unless otherwise stated

IRG announced that its subsidiary Westinghouse Rail Systems Australia (WRSA) has won a A$14m turnkey signalling contract from the Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (ARTC).  The contract is central to an ARTC project to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of rail freight services along the North-South Rail Corridor between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

A major bottleneck in the rail freight network currently exists in southern Sydney, where freight trains share existing rail lines with the Sydney metropolitan passenger services operated by RailCorp.  During morning and afternoon peak periods, freight services are not permitted to run due to passenger priority.  As a result, freight services cannot arrive or depart Sydney at the optimum times.

To alleviate this bottleneck, the ARTC began work on the Southern Sydney Freight Line (SSFL), which will provide a dedicated freight line for a distance of 36km between Macarthur and Sefton in southern Sydney.  The SSFL will provide a third track in the rail corridor specifically for freight services, allowing passenger and freight services to operate independently.

Under the contract, WRSA is to supply a turnkey signalling system, including design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning.

One of the main reasons for WRSA’s contract win was the ability to reduce the requirement for signalling technology on the project.  Managing Director Phil Ellingworth explains “ARTC’s tender specified delivery of a conventional interlocking solution using track circuits.  WRSA proposed an alternative solution using service-proven signalling elements in an innovative architecture delivering optimal value to meet ARTC’s key operational needs.”  “It was this innovative engineering solution that won WRSA the tender in the end” he added.

The ARTC has been a major client of WRSA for many years and this latest project is one in a series won in recent times.  These include: the relocation of the train control system in Victoria to Mile End in Adelaide; North Coast New South Wales level crossing upgrades; the Newport to West Footscray signalling upgrade; and upgrading the crossing loops on the Trans-Australian Railway between Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie.

IRG announced that its subsidiary Westinghouse Rail Systems Australia (WRSA) has been selected by Connex Mainco Joint Venture (CMJV) to provide A$4.5m worth of signalling equipment and services for the Laverton rail upgrade project in the State of Victoria, Australia.  The project is part of the A$38b Victorian Transport Plan which aims to deliver extra trains and services to the busy Werribee corridor by the end of 2011.

Under the contract, WRSA will replace the existing life expired relay interlocking at Laverton with a Hot Standby WESTRACE interlocking.  The WESTRACE is being provided in a “Hot Standby” configuration with diverse communications links – resulting in high system availability and reduced downtime in the event of a failure.  WRSA will also replace the existing manual unit level Newport panel with a new WestCad VDU control system.  The new VDU based system will interface with a total of six different interlocking; four relay, one solid state interlocking and the new WESTRACE.

“From a technology point of view we have assembled a complete solution from robust system elements.  Our ability to integrate solutions from these elements is one of our great strengths as an organisation.  Although the site presents a number of challenges, we have worked with the client to develop an innovative contract structure that enables the risk to be dealt with efficiently at minimal cost to the client.  We believe our design solution was an innovative one, designed to increase service levels and capacity of the Werribee corridor by creating a ‘short starter’ station at Laverton” said WRSA’s Managing Director, Phil Ellingworth.

WRSA has to design, test, install and commission the new control centre and interlocking by September 2009, when work begins on the relocation and reconfiguration of the existing track layout.

WRSA has been active in Victoria for over 120 years and continues to commit to local delivery integrating the most appropriate technologies from around the globe to deliver value added customer solutions.

Westinghouse Rail Systems Australia (WRSA), part of Invensys Rail Group, and New Zealand’s rail infrastructure manager ONTRACK will implement New Zealand’s first installation of European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) in a contract worth AUD $75 million (USD $49 million, EUR €38.17 million) as part of the Auckland Metropolitan Network Train Control and Resignalling Project.

The 30-month contract will see WRSA install ERTMS Level 1 train control systems as well as providing comprehensive training for ONTRACK staff to maintain trackside and on-train systems. WRSA will work with local contractors to undertake civil construction and electrical installations, with ongoing support provided from its offices in Auckland and Australia.

WRSA Managing Director, Phil Ellingworth says: “The Auckland rail network is about to embark on one of the biggest signalling changes in its history, and ONTRACK, Auckland Regional Transport Authority and operators require a system that will serve them well into the future. Our delivery methodology has been developed to ensure the least possible disruption to the operating network, ensuring that trains are kept running right up to the time the change-over occurs.

Mr Ellingworth went on to say “Our team is highly experienced at working in multi-disciplinary projects, including those involving electrification and major civil works. Part of our commitment is also to cooperate with the other stakeholders and contractors to ensure the overall project is well planned and coordinated.”

WRSA will install its highly-capable and service-proven WESTRACE Mark 2 interlockings. The modular approach and robust construction of WESTRACE minimises the use of costly relays, and reduces the amount of lineside infrastructure such as cabling.

In addition, the Invensys Rail Group’s SystematICS train management system – specifically designed for business-critical rail applications where total availability, scalability and flexibility are essential – will be delivered, enhancing the reliability of train services.

ONTRACK’s Project Director, Murray Hood, said “WRSA will implement a system based on the latest, most reliable signalling technology.  Their proposal incorporated all the features ONTRACK required: A fully compliant European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 Automatic Train Protection (ATP) which will provide added safety for all rail users and workers; bi-directional running providing additional train operating flexibility; improved headways across the network providing additional train capacity to support passenger and freight growth; and a new sophisticated train control system with Automatic Route Setting (ARS) which also enables the network to be controlled from two independent control centres.”

Mr Hood went on to say that “WRSA have minimised the project risk by reducing the on-site installation time and minimising disruption to current train operations by installing and testing the new system in parallel to the old signalling allowing it to remain operating safely until its decommissioning.”

“The WRSA solution will provide great value for money to ONTRACK and the people of Auckland."

ERTMS
ERTMS is a pan-European initiative that provides a standardised signalling system, offering greater safety and capacity while improving interoperability between different countries. It is in operation or planned for countries as diverse as Spain, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Benelux and Scandinavia.

The components to be installed in Auckland include the latest generation train control system, interlockings, trackside and ERTMS Level 1 train protection system equipment and systems. They are designed to work together, enabling routes to be safely set and the management of train movements optimised. Rather than driving to conventional signal aspects (red for ‘stop’, amber for ‘caution’ and green for ‘route clear’), train drivers are provided with a maximum safe speed on a display screen in the cab. Should a driver exceed this speed, the system intervenes automatically to slow the train to a safe speed.

Invensys Rail Group has appointed Jesus Guzman as Managing Director of its Spanish Dimetronic Signals subsidiary. For almost half a century, Dimetronic has been implementing state-of-the-art railway signalling solutions around Europe.
 
Guzman has been with the company for six years now, holding senior positions in the R&D, Engineering and Marketing departments. Most recently he has been leading Dimetronic’s day-to-day operations under the guidance of outgoing Managing Director Carlos Monzano.
 
“Carlos now passes total responsibility for Dimetronic to Jesus with the business in a remarkably healthy state, demonstrating record sales, profits and orders. He will remain with the company as Advisor to the new Managing Director, carrying out a coaching and mentoring role, through to his retirement on 31 October 2009,” said IRG’s President James Drummond.
 
“Please join me in congratulating Jesus on his appointment and in thanking Carlos for his tremendous achievements in leading Dimetronic over the past six years,” he added.

The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) has appointed Mr. John J. Paljug, Vice President Signaling and Crossings at Safetran Systems Corp., to the position of Co-Chairman of the new, joint committee for Communications & Signals/Maintenance-of-Way. 
As Co-Chairman, Mr. Paljug will represent RSI member companies in these supply industry segments as the Association addresses rail industry concerns in such areas as rail reregulation, Section 130 highway-rail grade crossing funding, rail infrastructure tax incentives and Federal investment to support the Positive Train Control mandate.
Mr. Paljug has been with Safetran for the past 12 years of his 29 year career in the Communications and Signal portion of the rail industry.  At Safetran, he has lead the company’s marketing, sales, product management and field service activities.  Safetran is pleased that, with this appointment, Mr. Paljug’s experience and leadership capabilities will be extended to support the rail supply industry as a whole.

Invensys Rail Group (IRG) has successfully commissioned a new WESTLOCK interlocking installation at a test site in Portugal. IRG companies, Westinghouse Rail Systems and Dimetronic Signals, have been working with Portugal’s infrastructure manager REFER for nearly 20 years, having commissioned Portugal's first electronic interlocking - a Solid State Interlocking (SSI) at Campanhã, the main station in Oporto, in 1990.

Given the extensive use of SSIs in Portugal, (second only to the UK in terms of the number of units installed), evolution to WESTLOCK was a natural choice for REFER. Its state-of-the-art technology delivers a modern high-integrity system, providing high reliability and availability. WESTLOCK is compatible with existing SSI infrastructure and track equipment, and its flexible design permits the interlocking to be connected in a variety of ways to provide the most appropriate solution for each situation.

The architecture of WESTLOCK has been designed with high-speed data link capability at its core. Its network communications ability and processor capacity enable faster communication with a range of control centre solutions, trackside equipment and with European Rail Traffic Management System Radio Block Centres.

IRG and REFER signed a protocol in 2007 to undertake tests and validation, with Coruche selected as the test site by REFER. In the south-east of the country, around 60km from Lisbon, Coruche was one of the earliest SSI sites - in 1994 two SSIs were commissioned there, covering five stations over a 30km area of electrified 25kVA, single-track railway (the Vendas Novas line).

The team for the Coruche project drew heavily on experience gained from the trial of WESTLOCK at Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, in 2007: the same trial strategy and protocol was used in Portugal that proved so successful in the UK. Having successfully completed site functionality and thorough testing, the installation was commissioned on 2 November 2008, with the existing SSI retained as a fall-back solution over the six-month trial period.

Project Manager Vince Dade, said: "Final commissioning is scheduled for April 2009, at which point the fall-back SSI will be recovered and we expect to receive full WESTLOCK product approval from REFER for implementation of both base-band and long-distance schemes. The signalling principles and operational requirements of Portuguese railways are very different to the UK, and the application of WESTLOCK demonstrates the versatility of the technology to meet multiple operational requirements.

"Portugal has always been a catalyst for innovation, new technology and forward thinking and this project has provided yet another opportunity to demonstrate the Group's capability for the successful delivery of innovative solutions. Once again, REFER has been impressed not only with our technical solutions, but also with the approach, delivery, commitment and expertise of our teams".

Invensys Rail Group (IRG) is set to headline the exhibition section of the International Union of Railways (UIC) European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) conference in Malaga from 31 March to April 2 with a cutting-edge demonstration of  FUTUR, its ERTMS solution.

The conference brings together the world’s leading signalling experts to discuss progress and developments on the European originated signalling system, which is now being rolled out across the world. ERTMS provides a single interoperable signalling system, which can also increase capacity and improve safety compared with more conventional signalling.

IRG has been one of the driving forces behind Spain’s rapid roll-out of ERTMS, with its Spanish operation, Dimetronic Signals, winning a series of major contracts in the country. On Stand A4, the company’s latest demonstrator will be able to show delegates the wide-ranging capabilities of its ERTMS solution.

In addition, IRG will demonstrate the company’s green credentials: built by the United Kingdom’s only registered ISO14001-certified company, Nimlok Limited, all of the stand’s components are manufactured using 80% recyclable materials and 100% re-usable element.

Stephen Holt, IRG’s Marketing Director.said: “Our new demonstrator allows us to showcase the full range of our capabilities at this important conference. We’re confident delegates to the conference will be impressed by our latest developments, and we look forward to welcoming them to our stand.”

 

ERTMS is a pan-European initiative that provides a standardised signalling system, offering greater safety and capacity while improving interoperability between different countries. It is in operation or planned for countries as diverse as Spain, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Benelux and Scandinavia.

A recent independent and peer-reviewed study commissioned by Invensys Rail Group found that the most effective way of increasing transport capacity in all modes is to improve rail signalling. Invensys Rail Group has a range of signalling solutions suitable for all applications from metro systems to high-speed (350km/h+) railways.