Banbury in transition
PAUL STEPHEN reports on how a team of more than 300 staff and subcontractors from Siemens Rail Automation commissioned the final stage of the Banbury Resignalling Programme, on budget and to schedule
Siemens Rail Automation and Network Rail complete Banbury Resignalling Programme in unison
Until only a few weeks ago, Banbury station was an unusual location for signalling. Although its two main lines were fully signalled using modern multiple aspect coloured light signals, its bay platforms and goods loop retained semaphores, controlled by two Great Western Railway-era mechanical signal boxes.
All that has now changed following a nine-day blockade, during which all signalling equipment on a 22-mile stretch of the Chiltern Main Line was upgraded to Siemens’ Trackguard Westlock computerbased interlocking system.
Between July 30 and August 7, Siemens and Network Rail worked jointly to decommission life-expired equipment from just north of Leamington Spa to Anynho Junction and Heyford in the south – and at all stations between Banbury and Heyford.
Control of the signalling previously operated by Banbury North and Banbury South signal boxes has now been transferred to a single desk at West Midlands Signalling Centre in Birmingham, as have the remaining functions of Leamington Spa Signalling Centre.
Banbury South Signal Box – built in 1908 – has now been demolished, while Banbury North Signal Box – built in 1901 – will share the same fate shortly after a number of 90-minute pre-booked guided tours have been completed on October 2.
The project involved 18 months’ initial design work, and aims to enable much improved headways via more than 50 newly installed LED signals. These are more reliable, energy efficient and require far less maintenance than the equipment they replace.
In addition, train protection warning system (TPWS) and axle-based track circuit blocks have been installed to provide continuous train detection throughout the re-signalled area, including Banbury’s sidings and loops.
The track layout has been rationalised through Banbury station and a connection laid to Chiltern Railways’ new depot at its southern end, which is set to open next year. Four sidings are being built there to stable up to 18 trains overnight.
Finally, a fourth platform has been constructed at Banbury to increase capacity A significant amount of work had already
taken place during planned closures on Sundays throughout 2015, and possessions on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
All this amounted to £ 76 million-worth of work being completed following the most recent blockade, and resulted in 24 new points being installed, 50,000 tonnes of ballast laid, along with 14,000 metres of new rail and 11,200 new concrete sleepers.
Elgan Davies, Network Rail’s Programme Manager, said that the project had been a great example of collaboration between a number of Network Rail’s key suppliers. He added: “Everyone worked with a single purpose to finish this challenging programme of work on time and in a safe manner. From concept to commissioning, this project has been a textbook example of how it should be done.”
Siemens’ Project Manager Stuart Hamilton said. "The combined Network Rail and Siemens team worked extremely well across all disciplines throughout the project, with great working relationships and a wonderful team spirit. The project also provided fantastic personal developmental and experiential opportunities for many of the team members, which were eagerly taken.
“This programme was managed to enable
From concept to commissioning, this project has been a textbook example of how it should be done. Elgan Davies,
a safe, timely and successful delivery, culminating in a smooth commissioning at the end of the blockade.”
Dave Penney, managing director at Chiltern Railways added: “The work at Banbury was an essential investment in the long-term reliability of the railway and was successfully delivered on time. Through a modernisation of the signalling system, Chiltern Railways services can remain some of the most punctual in the country. The 18-month project is now complete, and I would like to thank all of our customers who have shown patience and understanding during the improvements, particularly during the recent nine-day line closure between Leamington Spa and Bicester.”
Flood alleviation work was also completed at the same time just over 30 miles to the south, at Hinksey in Oxfordshire, where the track level was heightened between July 30\