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the rail engineer • June 2013
developing new plant for that role based on their experience elsewhere. The company tends to use its own equipment rather than to hire it in as it can then have precisely what it needs.
A
Recruitment
Both Gary and Bertrand stressed the importance of having a skilled team on electrification. This is not only down to safety issues, although those cannot be stressed enough. It is also a factor of time.
Time critical The renewal of existing installations, as is currently being done in Essex, and new build both
tend to be carried out at night. Teams therefore have just five hours to get on track, do the work, and get off again before the first train in the morning. In the case of renewals, the new wires have to be tested and energised as well. Electren has a great deal of experience in this. Its teams recently renewed the cantilevers and overhead wires on the high speed line between Paris and Lyon - a total of 300 single track kilometres. Every day, the line had to be reopened at full line speed which put great pressure on the workforce. Bertrand was pleased to say that this was achieved, without exception, throughout the project. Sometimes the overhead system has to be replaced entirely on possessions, maintaining service for electric trains. In this case,
Building and Civils
foundations for new poles are needed and subcontractors are usually used to carry out the civils work. The work of the new joint venture will not be limited to just overhead wiring. Electren has developed the design for a new modular substation for traction power. Several have now been built and operate at 25-0-25 kV using SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) control systems another skill that Electren and Vital can offer to Network Rail. As the build-up to the big electrification projects continues, it is good that, for once, the skills shortage is being addressed in advance.
Track
Electrification
helping our clients get from A to B... If you’re going to help shape the next generation’s transport infrastructure, it pays to work with the most experienced contractors in the industry. Vital Rail is a major support services provider, completing enhancement, renewal and maintenance projects for the Rail, Light Rail and Underground sectors.
Signalling & Telecoms
B
www.vital-rail.com 0845 894 9020 | info@vital-rail.com
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29/05/2013 14:03