Media centre

Friday 11 Jun 2004

OLD MEETS NEW IN QUARTER MILLION POUND PROJECT

Region & Route:

Thirty-five railway signal lamp-maintainer’s cabins across the North West are being replaced in a £255,000 project so that they are compliant with current environmental legislation. The work, which began in early March, is being carried out by Serco Rail Property on behalf of Network Rail and will continue throughout the year, linking the latest solar power technology with 150-year-old signalling. In the more rural or remote areas of the North West semaphore signalling is still in use. This is the original form of signalling, which dates back to the Victorian era and is what all modern forms of signalling, including the present electrical systems, are based on. This method of signalling uses a small arm, which moves up and down, to indicate to train drivers when it is safe to pass a signal. At night these signals are lit using an oil lamp, so that a red signal or green signal is shown to drivers, indicating whether it is safe or not to pass. This method of signalling still exists in rural areas because sometimes it is difficult or simply not cost effective to get electricity there to power modern electric signals.  The lamp cabins are used for storing the oil and wicks necessary for maintaining the lamps. They will also store a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, spillage kits, a dry store cupboard, spares and personal protection equipment for signallers. - more - Lamp – 2 The rooms have been designed to be secure, fire resistant and environmentally friendly, which is why the self-contained structures have lighting powered by solar panels. Each structure has also been designed with a grill flooring and bund or sump directly underneath it, so in the event of a spillage any oil is not going into the ground and contaminating it. A Network Rail spokesman said: “This is an important project for Network Rail in terms of ensuring the rural parts of the network are maintained and operating efficiently. “As a company we are committed to following the latest environmental legislation and working to prevent pollution as well as making more use of natural resources, and this project is part of that commitment.“