Will Murray

Said the following about GWML ETCS Project Team:

“GWML ETCS Project is the introduction of European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 overlay from Paddington Station at 0m to 12m along the Great Western Mainline, including the Heathrow Branch. This programme of works is the first ETCS deployment across a mainline railway and at a terminus station. Network Rail, responsible for the provision of a continuous Automatic Train Protection solution, have chosen ETCS in readiness for the Crossrail Services operated by MTR using the Bombardier Class 345 Rolling Stock. The chosen product for this project is Alstom’s ATLAS Baseline 3 MR1 3.4.0.

This project represents a series of significant milestones towards digitalising the railway to realise the significant safety, operational, maintenance, performance and efficiency benefits to the rail industry. As such, there are many stakeholders and interfaces the project teams of Alstom and Network Rail are required to work with in order to deliver a system that provides solutions necessary to meet such a diverse range of needs and requirement without disrupting the safe operation of the railway.

Key stakeholders of the project are:

• Crossrail Limited;

• Network Rail Western and Wales Route;

• Digital Railway;

• Heathrow Airport Limited;

• ORR;

• Bombardier;

• Siemens.

The final system, following completion of the project, will see the following products that have been designed, installed and commissioned handed over to Network Rail:

• Two Radio Block Centres with RBC data;

• RBC Interfacing VIXL commissioned within the existing CIXLs 1,2 and 4;

• One Maintenance Support System;

• One Network Transmission gateway;

• 1000 Programmed Balises (Fixed and Switchable);

• 20 ETCS Marker Boards;

• One Programmed Lineside Electronic Unit.

In order to deliver this hugely technical and complex project the representative teams of Network Rail and Alstom have had to forge a strong relationship deemed critical to overcoming all the challenges. These teams are spread both across the UK and Belgium. This broad geographic distribution has necessitated the need for a dynamic relationship that places honesty and collaboration at the heart of it.

The management, evaluation and incorporation of change has been by far the most persistent challenge but unavoidable when developing a system that meets the requirements of such a novel product to be used by such diverse stakeholders and interfaces.

In order to simplify the roll out of ETCS, and to help manage the changes this project will initiate across the railway, the programme is being delivered in three separate stages:

• Stage A – Stockley Junction to Heathrow Central Area and Terminal Four and Five.

• Stage B – Stockley Junction East to Acton including all sidings and depot entries and exits

• Stage C – Acton Junction to Paddington buffers including all sidings and depot entries and exits as well as the Crossrail Tunnel and Westbourne Park with interface to CBTC.

Stages B and Stage C are currently in development with commissioning due for 2020 and 2022, respectively.

For Stage A the trackside equipment, including a CIXL 4 Interlocking data with RBC VIXLs, is fully commissioned and has secured SRP approval, Certificate of Conformance demonstrating Interoperability and APIS prior to the completion of integration testing of the Class 345 ready for passenger services in the December 2019 timetable change.

“The GWML ETCS Project is delivering essential infrastructure changes that enable the new Elizabeth Line Class 345 fleet (and future ETCS fitted Rolling Stock) to operate between London Paddington on the Heathrow Branch using the latest train safety systems.

Being a first deployment project, the joint team of Alstom and Network Rail have had to overcome many obstacles to ensure that the infrastructure was/is ready to meet critical dates to support planned operational changes and integration into a wider programme of infrastructure changes. These challenges have included:

• Immature requirements

• Competing demands from stakeholder

• Integration with Rolling Stock that is still in development

• Integration with other trackside systems

• Educating the business on the changes and ensuring their readiness to adopt the new equipment

• Language and cultural barriers

Together, Network Rail and Alstom have faced each of these challenges and more head on; adapting to the ever changing environment so that we maintain programme and deliver on our key commitments. This has only been possible through the integrated and trusting relationship we have developed. Our high level achievements are as follows:

• Commissioning of Stage A infrastructure to support CRL dynamic testing and putting into operational use.

• Creation of an integrated laboratory in Belgium to test the ETCS functionality between Bombardiers new train and the installed trackside equipment.

• Running of specialist Q&A sessions with the Maintainer to support their knowledge and understanding of the newly installed equipment.

• Adapting the delivery plan for Stage B to support MTR operational objectives

• Adapting the phasing of Stages B and C to incorporate a train detection upgrade project in the same geographic reach

• Supporting CRL dynamic testing and responding to emerging issues through joint forums

On a personal note, I am incredibly proud of the achievements the team has made and way we have gone about it. The communication between Alstom and Network Rail is always open and honest, and this has really helped foster a culture that challenges each other to do the best we possibly can. This project has become part of each team members DNA so much so, that we are truly delivering it as one joint entity.”“