Media centre

Monday 18 Feb 2008

TRAIN SERVICES BACK ON TRACK

Region & Route:

Train services from Snow Hill to Stratford and Leamington Spa were back to normal this morning after Network Rail completed a £75 million track and signalling project an hour early. Chris Rowley, Network Rail’s area general manager said: “This has been a real partnership project between us, the various contractors involved and the train operators. Careful project planning and monitoring has ensured the railway lines opened on time and passengers can now benefit from having some of the most modern railway signalling in the West Midlands.” During the 10-day closure of the lines Network Rail carried out a mammoth project on the 26 mile route, which included designing, installing and commissioning:-

• 165 new signals and associated computer equipment
• 300 trackside devices used to detect the movement of trains
• 73 point machines used for moving tracks when trains switch from one line to another
• conversion of Bentley Heath manned level crossing to a CCTV crossing controlled from the signalling centre

The old signalling system had to be taken out of use and all the redundant signals and lineside equipment was removed. At the same time, the railway junction south of Tyseley station was completely remodelled, the old junction taken away and a new track layout put in its place, which will allow all four platforms at the station to be brought into regular use from today (18 February). London Midland has refurbished all the platforms and put in new customer information screens at the station. Stratford line services will continue to use the ‘old’ platforms, whereas the Dorridge line services will use the ‘new’ platforms. The £75 million project is one phase of a £350 million scheme designed to revitalise the railway system in the West Midlands by installing state-of-the-art signalling equipment by 2015/6.