Network Rail to integrate new digital signalling system

Network Rail is integrating new digital signalling systems in an effort to improve safety and efficiency, help provide more reliable and faster services at Birmingham New Street and over critical routes such as the Transpennine and the East Coast Main Line.

The UK still has some active infrastructure that dates from the early twentieth century. Network Rail, is now engaged in a nationwide overhaul and a comprehensive signalling upgrade.

Work to overhaul the signalling system at New Street, Britain’s busiest interchange station, has reached a major milestone, says Network Rail. “Over the last 15 months more than 230 miles [370 kilometres] of cabling has been laid to connect 64 new LED colour light signals”, says the agency. Appropriately enough, Birmingham is already establishing a centre of excellence, which will see it become prominent in rail technology in the coming decades.

“This has been a once in a generation overhaul of the station’s signalling equipment, at one of Britain’s most important stations”, said Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s Central route director. “This has been a huge challenge and we thank passengers for their patience while we’ve had to close platforms over the last 15 months. When complete this Christmas the West Midlands will have large areas using one of the most modern signalling systems anywhere in Britain which will help provide a safe, reliable and high performing railway for decades to come.”

At Birmingham New Street, the upgrade involves moving to a hybrid of digital-mechanical signalling, which is controlled with the help of computers in a signalling centre – designated by Network Rail as a railway operating centre (ROC). “This system is integrated with the old infrastructure and uses data from the trackside equipment and signalling centre”, says Network Rail. “This means we can put the signalling information into the train cab for the driver to see more clearly.”

For now, to control the new installations around New Street, ten new equipment buildings have been constructed, as well as the installation of sixty axle-counters, which show signallers exactly where trains are on the network. “The new signalling system will eventually be controlled from the state-of-the-art West Midlands Signalling Centre”, concludes National Rail.