Engineering the Overhead

Overhead Line Engineering Limited undertakes projects ranging in size from a few thousand pounds to several hundred thousand pounds and from initial feasibility to entry into service

OLE Limited’s team of engineers and technicians have experience in all types of overhead lines installed in the UK from the ex-DC systems dating from the 1930s right up to the latest UKMS range. This breadth and depth of experience enables the production of design solutions for any project.

A cornerstone of OLE Limited’s design approach is to utilise value engineering techniques to minimise the amount of work required whilst achieving the client remit and full compliance to Standards. This aligns with the Minimum Viable Product approach and results in reduced whole life costs, reducing both initial costs through reduced installation and operational costs with less infrastructure to maintain and ultimately renew.

OLE Limited work with a group specialist engineering suppliers covering Civil Engineering, EMC, dynamic simulation, structures, track, signalling and signal sighting. This established supply chain enables the provision of multi-disciplinary design packages which have the interfaces with all relevant engineering disciplines managed through the IDC process.

OLE Limited is supporting SPL Powerlines Group on the Midland Main Line Electrification project. A range of services is provided including system design for the upgrade of the existing Mark 3B OLE, detailed design, staged operational and isolation documentation, along with engineering staff. The system design has achieved dynamic compliance for 125mph multi pantograph operation on Mark 3B OLE, a first on the Network.

OLE Limited regularly works directly with Network Rail providing allocation design and, more recently, consultancy services. Examples being emergency work in Stoke Newington tunnel and the assessment of the impact of new clearance rules.

OLE Limited is currently supporting AECOM on the design of power system upgrades at Bushey ATFS as part of the complex West Coast PSU project. This includes the first application of a Carrier Wire Neutral Section on UK1 OLE along with ATF and switching design.

OLE Limited is also working with Volker Rail on campaign change design in the LNW Route.

OLE Limited has designed further examples of its innovative headspan to portal conversion, as shown in the photograph below. This provides a low cost solution to install a boom on existing headspan masts and foundations in order to provide mechanical independence and so eliminating the Achilles heel of headspan structures.

The conversion to a portal allows the OLE to for each line to be mechanically independent from the OLE on other lines which leads to a huge increase reliability as defects on one line are not cascaded to adjacent lines. It also simplifies future adjustment to the OLE as each line can be worked on independently.

With our established office in Derby and a diverse range of clients across the rail industry, OLE Limited is well placed to support a wide range of rail projects and the future CP7 work bank. It is expected that the company will expand over the next two years. OLE Limited is actively recruiting now and is always interested to hear from potential candidates. As Network Rail brings more work in house, OLE Limited will seek to form relationships with all Routes.

OLE Limited believe that there is a bright future for rail electrification in the UK, if the challenge of value for money can be achieved. A significant factor is the production of highly accurate design to programme and this is the service that OLE Limited provides.

OLE Limited’s Business Management System is accredited to ISO 9001:2015 and holds RISQS accreditation for all codes relevant to OLE design.

Tel: 01332 342122

Email: contact@OLE-Limited.co.uk

Visit: www.OLE-Limited.co.uk