Rail Systems comprise the many electrical, electronic and other systems necessary for trains to run, they include permanent way (track), traction power (the electricity supply to the train), signalling, communications and several others. Each of these needs to be designed and installed so that they work together safely and effectively. This topic area includes papers and good practice documents on how these systems were designed, installed, tested and commissioned.
| Summary | Publication date | Document Type |
|---|---|---|
 Digital Railway – Telecoms Technologies for the Elizabeth Line – An Infrastructure Manager’s PerspectiveTopic area: Rail systems The construction of the Elizabeth Line by the Crossrail project and its operation by the Infrastructure Managers has brought together a whole new set of technologies for Operating and Maintaining a railway, never seen together before in London, the UK and further afield. This paper describes the communications technolo... |
02/12/2021 | Technical Paper |
 Digitisation of Signalling and Train Test Log ObservationsTopic area: Rail systems At the beginning of the Testing and Commissioning phase Crossrail anticipated 6 months of Dynamic Testing, 5 days a week, and required quick insights to testing observations on site. Existing processes were archaic and it wasn’t easy to get visibility of testing observations from site to management in a timely manner... |
05/10/2020 | Micro-report |
 Crossrail Integration Facility and Test AutomationTopic area: Rail systems Systems integration has gained a higher level of importance as complex railway projects operate under tighter schedules than ever before and with limited access to tracks to run tests. This paper demonstrates how a fully automated off-site testing facility is extremely valuable to increase efficiency, cost-effectivenes... |
02/10/2020 | Journal Publication |
 Installation of rigid overhead catenary in Crossrail tunnelsTopic area: Rail systems The Overhead Line Equipment works for the C610 Systemwide Main Works Project concerns the design, procurement of plant, materials and equipment, installation, testing and commissioning of the elementary system installed in the Crossrail Central Operating Section which includes new twin bore single track tunnels, interm... |
09/07/2018 | Technical Paper |
 Rigorous assessment of existing overhead line gantries for the Elizabeth lineTopic area: Rail systems The Elizabeth line will use above-ground sections of existing Great Eastern and Great Western tracks between Stratford and Maidenhead where new overhead line equipment (OLE) and traction power supply will be installed. The OLE is supported by gantries of various types and configurations. In the case of the Great Easter... |
02/07/2018 | Journal Publication |
 Validation of the Tunnel Pressure Signature of the Crossrail Class 345 TrainTopic area: Rail systems When a train enters a tunnel, it creates a pressure pulse which is experienced by passengers on the train and which propagates along the tunnel. The pressure pulse results in loads being generated on items of infrastructure, such as platform screen doors and tunnel ventilation equipment. The tunnel pressure signature i... |
31/08/2016 | Technical Paper |
 Challenges of Integrating Electrical Systems in a Mega Project – Examples from CrossrailTopic area: Mechanical, Electrical & Public Health This paper presents case studies of events caused by systems integration challenges. They are hard to uncover and difficult to foresee during a complex project. The issues raised in this paper highlight that integration is not a one-off event at each stage of design and that it needs to be undertaken as a continuous p... |
17/05/2023 | Technical Paper |
 The Role of Rolling Stock Approval and Assurance within Major Railway ProgrammesTopic area: Systems Integration and Technical Assurance In the UK, the rail industry must comply with the requirements of the Railway and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations which sits alongside the European Interoperability Directive 2008/57/EC. New or modified trains cannot be operated unless the Office of Rail and Road has issued an Authorisation for the ... |
02/12/2021 | Technical Paper |
 A People Centred Design: Human Factors Integration of the Crossrail Route Control CentreTopic area: Operations Management Pivotal to the safe, reliable and efficient running of Crossrail is the Romford Route Control Centre (RCC). The RCC is a dedicated control suite responsible for command and control of the Elizabeth Line Central Operating Section (COS). The infrastructure will be operated by Rail for London Infrastructure (RfLI) and the... |
02/12/2021 | Technical Paper |
 Delivering a Safety Justification and Navigating Closure of Dependencies (from an Earthing and Bonding Perspective)Topic area: Mechanical, Electrical & Public Health The earthing and bonding (E&B) on the Elizabeth Line is everywhere, consequently it is extensive and highly integrated, it is essential as a primary safety system to prevent electrocution and fire. Development of the E&B Safety Justification was time consuming and involved creation of a spreadsheet of reference... |
02/12/2021 | Technical Paper |
 Managing Reliability Growth in PracticeTopic area: Systems Integration and Technical Assurance Delivering the Elizabeth Line service that customers value and choose to travel on requires a network that is fully integrated, reliable, safe, and sustainable. To make Elizabeth Line the transport mode of choice, the network needs reliable systems and assets that deliver levels of performance consistent with a highly ... |
02/12/2021 | Technical Paper |
 Integration, Testing and Commissioning at CrossrailTopic area: Systems Integration and Technical Assurance Crossrail’s Central Operating Section is characterised by high performance requirements of a metro system with high specified train service throughput. This is realised via multiple interdependent electronic systems which control the movement of trains together with station systems, traction and auxiliary power suppl... |
09/07/2018 | Technical Paper |
 Maintenance and Cost Analysis on Major Subsurface Rail Projects – CrossrailTopic area: Systems Integration and Technical Assurance The purpose of this case paper is to highlight the maintenance and cost analysis principles on a mega subsurface metro railway project. The paper identifies how crossrail delivered the maintenance through the project life cycle. Its objectives are also to illustrate some of the technical and programme challenges on the... |
09/07/2018 | Technical Paper |
 Engineering Design of the Platform Edge Screens for Crossrail’s Mined StationsTopic area: Mechanical, Electrical & Public Health This paper covers the engineering design of Platform Edge Screens for the five mined Crossrail stations in central London. Full-height platform edge screens are a signature feature of Crossrail’s mined station platforms, but are unprecedented in London’s tube and rail network. Consequently, their design pr... |
09/07/2018 | Technical Paper |