Welwyn to Hitchin Survey
The Project
As part of the East Coast Digital Programme, a re-signalling project was carried out in the Welwyn to Hitchin area. Guided Rail were appointed the contract to carry out over 100-point end surveys and develop three track schemes up to GRIP 6 (Approved For Construction AFC) on behalf of Rail Tech Innovations, covering abandonments and upgrades to switch & crossing units.
The Problem
The project aimed to upgrade train control systems on the East Coast Mainline. This included the re-signalling of Welwyn Garden City through to Hitchin North Interlocking which were becoming life-expired. As part of the wider re-control, all of the switches and crossings within the project's footprint had to be inspected to ascertain their current condition and remaining operational life expectancy to assist in the upgrade work that the signalling team were to carry out. Each set of points were required to have a full condition survey and recommendations needed to be provided following this.
The Solution
During the festive period of 2022, Guided Rail carried out over 16-point end inspections, taking full advantage of the available track access. To complete the survey we used a Bance RCAD/FG/BT Digital Track Gauge, an electronic track and turnout measuring device.
The function of this innovative piece of equipment is to measure railway tracks and check rail gauge, flangeway clearance and cant. All of the data collected with the gauge can be sent to a user’s mobile device/tablet via Bluetooth, ensuring a high level of excellence and reliability in collecting survey data.
Part of the re-signalling work included three proposed track schemes, all of which were designed and developed by Guided Rail.
The Outcome
Work that usually would have taken months to complete under normal planning and access arrangements was all completed within a 48 hour period.
Overall, over 110 switch & crossing inspections were successfully completed within the allowed programme timescales. This de-risked the project from having any unknown track related issues following the commission of the signalling system between Welwyn and Hitchin.
In 2023, over the Christmas period, the three track schemes designed by Guided Rail were implemented. These included the removal and plain lining of a set of trap points, the upgrade of a single lead turnout from a mechanical lever frame to a remotely controlled system (controlled from York Railway Operating Centre) and the removal of a crossover and life-expired trackwork.