Network Rail has awarded Siemens Mobility Limited a contract worth £50m to deliver the next stages of the signalling element of the Carstairs remodelling project.
As a major junction on the West Coast Main Line (WCML), where the lines from London Euston and Edinburgh to Glasgow Central merge, the remodelling will improve reliability, operational resilience and flexibility. This will encourage more passengers and freight operators to use the railway in Scotland. With less maintenance activity required, this will also improve workforce safety.
Rob Morris, Managing Director, Rail Infrastructure for Siemens Mobility, said: “We’re delighted to be working with our Scottish partners from Network Rail and our supply chain to improve this strategic part of the railway in Scotland. Coupled with our work with the train operators, we can also make sure that, when rolling stock is introduced in future, it is able to take advantage of the higher line speeds.
“Our early involvement in the project has enabled us to work really closely with Network Rail and our delivery partners to develop a scheme that will provide the greatest benefit to the Scottish public.”
Siemens Mobility will be installing its Trackguard WTS signalling system, which will enable line speed to be increased through the junction and a temporary speed restriction on the WCML to be removed. This is the first time this well-proven solution will have been used in Scotland.
The remodelling will also introduce a station-bypass line, so that journey times can be further improved and, in some circumstances, enable fast trains to pass slower ones.
Space to hold longer freight trains (up to 775 metres) will also be provided, giving freight operators greater flexibility to run more services. The project will enable more flexibility through the area and reduce the impact on services in the event of disruption, or when maintenance is required.
The scope of Siemens Mobility’s work includes the design, installation, testing and commissioning of the signalling works. The company’s Trackguard WTS digital signalling technology will be at the heart of the scheme. Manufactured and developed in the UK, WTS uses an IP-based network to connect objects to the interlockings and control centres, providing improvements in operational performance and management to deliver safe, reliable and future-proofed journeys.
Work is now underway on the detailed scheme design, with final commissioning due to take place with a three-stage blockade between 23 April and 2 June 2023.
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