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the rail engineer • September 2014
Faster installation Using a suitable communications link, the system is able to drive most types of interlocking, including solidstate interlocking (SSI), Trackguard Westlock, Trackguard Westrace and relay interlockings. Automatic Route Setting (ARS) and Automatic Route Facility (ARF) have also both been successfully integrated and are operating on Network Rail infrastructure. Earlier this year and as part of the Thameslink programme at London Bridge, Siemens undertook a full, like-for-like replacement of the life-expired train describer equipment. The company introduced a modern system designed and developed to provide support both for the legacy equipment and future upgrade requirements, including the facility to allow simple re-control to Three Bridges rail operating centre (ROC). By employing the new technology as front-end signalling processors, the company was able to complete a seamless changeover, with implementation having to be undertaken to minimise possession times, access times and operational disruption. The new train describer cubicles were all installed in their final position with all the new interfacing cabling and trunking preinstalled. Whereas the original equipment was installed in the 1990s over a whole weekend, this work was commissioned in less than half that time. Another first for the application of this new technology was introduced as part of the Huyton to Roby resignalling programme which was commissioned in July 2014. Developing a bespoke signallers’ workstation, Siemens configured its Controlguide Westcad MCR system as a front-end display solution, with an ethernet connection to the equipment room interlocking management system (IMS). This custom desk incorporates ‘slide-out’ equipment bays to maximise the maintainability of the
equipment and has been so successful, that Siemens has received orders to install the same solution for York, Rugby and Three Bridges ROCs.
Flexible functionality Completing the control systems portfolio is Siemens’ Controlguide Westronic 1024 system which includes a point-to-point TDM, panel processor, emergency alarm system, signalling SCADA RTU and panel and TD input multiplexers. Again flexibility has been key to the system’s development and it can accept a number of rear transition cards, allowing for the simple ‘plug and play’ replacement of existing TDM systems such as S2 and TDM69. The system is able to be used as part of re-control projects where existing route relay interlockings are retained - the rear cards of the product are simply changed to suit the site, rather than an extensive programme of rewiring being required. Changeover times are therefore significantly reduced and route closures minimised. Fully compliant with Network Rail’s FTN, the systems are also capable of interfacing to all types of interlocking (including BR Freewire, geographical, Western E10K, ERSE and OCS). The complementary output card (COP) also guards against single-bit failure of TDMs and allows a direct connection to ERSE and E10K interlockings, significantly reducing the need for additional relay circuitry for these two interlockings on re-control schemes. Mike Lewis continued: “We have now pre-installed 12 Controlguide Westcad MCR systems in the Manchester ROC this year, and have also secured the control systems work for both the York ROC Stafford resignalling programme (which is the first to be commissioned into Rugby ROC). “With further work at the East and West Midlands control centres during the year, we will also be installing two further systems at Three Bridges ROC over Christmas 2014 as part of the wider Thameslink programme. Future phases will introduce our Westcad E software which has interfaces to the Siemens radio block controller (RBC) for ERTMS applications. “We are however also continuing with the development of the systems group of products, with Immediate Route Setting (IRS) functionality planned to be introduced in 2015 at Cardiff and Romford ROCs as part of our ongoing Traffic Management Systems work with Thales. This will provide a direct interface between our Westcad MCR control system and Thales’ Aramis traffic management system and introduce our Controlguide Westcad technology which allows for flexible control. “Future development work will also see the development of interfaces to the Controlguide Westcad E system from Frequentis’ telecommunications system and a novel solution to interface CCTV level crossing control - all of which will allow even greater flexibility of working between desks”. William Wilson, Siemens Rail Automation’s director sales and commercial, said: “These are very exciting times for Siemens; having made a significant investment in new technology, we now have a portfolio of products ready for the next generation of Network Rail projects which require operational cost efficiencies, higher reliability, functionality and performance.”