Thameslink Resilience Programme

The challenge

Due to significant expansion works taking place across the Thameslink network – a 24-hour mainline service serving London and the south of England – a major programme of strategic enabling works was required to upgrade and extend the existing network infrastructure.

From platform extensions and improved stations to new trains and technology, this 10-year programme was designed to deliver major improvements for rail users, responding to the growth in passenger demand both now and in the future. As part of these works, Amaro was instrumental in the delivery of significant signalling upgrades covering large swathes of the LNE and EM routes.

The solution

Working between February 2018 and May 2019, Amaro…

• Replaced 155 no. signal heads with cutting-edge Dorman LED units
• Replaced 22 no. HW2000 point machines along with all associated cabling
• Replaced 8 no. full sets of clamp locks and all associated cabling
• Converted 13 no. Reed track circuits to DC medium voltage track circuits
• Renewed 581 no. FDM Reed units
• Installed new Class II micro FSPs
• Installed annexes and associated 650v/110v hybrid transformers

The works were carried with Amaro acting as the principal contractor and delivered under both NR/L2/SIG/30014/A210 and G110 Non-Conceptual Design Standards. All design works were managed internally, and all testing and commissioning plans were produced by Amaro prior to being submitted to the DPE for review and approval.

Where 650v signalling feeders required isolation, a controlled ‘permit to work’ system was implemented with the following process being implemented post-alteration…

1. 650v cables were insulation and resistance tested
2. The feeder was set to work
3. Power and signalling were tested
4. The works were commissioned
5. Records were updated
6. The works were handed back

All activities were delivered concurrently across both the LNE and EM routes, whilst all planning was carried out by Amaro’s in-house planning team, working alongside Network Rail’s own route planning teams. From the earliest stages of the project, multiple Amaro teams were out on track, working concurrently at a variety of locations. A rewarding and yet extremely challenging prospect, this required a great deal of co-ordination and planning to guarantee a successful delivery.

In accordance with NR/L3/INI/CP0044 the CPP, Quality Plan, Environmental Plan, Waste Management Plan, Work Package Plans and Task Briefs were produced by the Amaro team and submitted to the client for review and approval. All SSOWPs were produced by the Amaro team in accordance with 019 and were reviewed and approved by Amaro’s responsible manager before being issued to the COSS.

The outcome

At the time one of the largest and highest profile projects delivered by Amaro, all works were delivered safely, collaboratively, and to the client’s complete satisfaction, with minimal disruption to rail users and other stakeholders.

In part thanks to the works carried out by Amaro, significant improvements in capacity, performance, and passenger experience were achieved across the Thameslink network for years to come.