Siemens track-monitoring trial under way

A system to predict ‘rough riding’ has been fitted to 80 trains running in Network Rail’s Wessex Region, as part of a wider trial.

Siemens Mobility’s Train-Borne Condition Monitoring System (TBCM) is being evaluated on South Western Railway rolling stock over a period of six months.

“Although we are in the early stages of the trial, our system is already performing extremely well, having successfully predicted a number of rough rides,” said Siemens Mobility Rail Infrastructure MD Rob Morris in April, a month into the programme.

Siemens’ TBCM identifies sections of track that need attention by analysing data collected from trains equipped with a GSM-R cab radio. The application can be downloaded, with no need for new hardware.

The company says that in addition to rough-ride detection and prediction, TBCM can be used to identify and monitor voids in the track, and to detect potential major anomalies. It also shows the effectiveness of repair at sites where rough rides have previously been reported.

The Siemens offering is one of several track monitoring systems being trialled by Network Rail.

Others include Deutsche Bahn’s CTM2.0 equipment that has been fitted to a Chiltern Railways DVT (RAIL 943), and that produced by Hitachi subsidiary Perpetuum, which has been used on the West Coast Main Line and ScotRail network (RAIL 953).

Track monitoring has hitherto been undertaken by assets such as NR’s HST-based New Measurement Train, and traditionally through manual inspection. The current move is part of a plan to roll out new technology to improve track maintenance during the next fiveyear Control Period (CP7), which starts in 2024.