As part of the South Rail Systems Alliance (SRSA), our Old Oak Common (OOC) division delivered a five-day multidisciplinary blockade over the Christmas period.
The works were completed as part of the On Network Works programme, where our team are tasked with overhauling the railway infrastructure as part of:
- Upgrades to make the infrastructure more resilient
- Developments of the new eight platform High Speed 2 (HS2) conventional station
- Infrastructure changes to mitigate disruption to passengers
Overhauling Overhead Line Electrification (OLE)
The project programme involved the upgrade of the OLE structures and assets to support the increased train activity.
This included the installation of four new OLE overlaps, the installation of new Balance Weight Anchors, first in the UK, Tensorex series to ensure reliability and longevity.
Existing Head-Spans were also replaced by transferring wires to new structures with the latest series 1 equipment to provide better structural integrity and mitigate future maintenance requirements.
Other works delivered by our SRSA OOC team included the installation and section proving of two new switches and overlaps, updates to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition screens to ensure new electrification arrangements are controlled safely and accurately.
Renovating Rail Infrastructure
Team OOC took on a variety of track works throughout the five-day period, with two new switches and crossing (S&C) panels and High-Performance Switch Systems on the backline. This is the first new section of track installed for the OOC station and provides a route to the platforms at the low mile end of the new station.
Two new point ends were installed, 165m of associated plain line, two signals and four axle counters were also relocated, as well as removal of existing non-compliances on the backline.
Delivering Drainage
Throughout the blockade programme, the SRSA installed 200m of deep, linear drainage between tracks and four new cross drains to support the existing Main Lines.
Almost 2km of drainage has been installed across the OOC project in total, providing resilience to the operational railway.
Image credit: HS2
Electrification at Poplars
As part of the route electrification and decarbonisation works, a single-track cantilever and two sets of twin track cantilever booms and masts lifted into place.
Four foundation piles were placed in an existing retaining wall, with one redundant wall broken out.
Our work along the Poplars lines allow trains to pass the Great Western Mainline, North London Line and Great Eastern Mainlines and provides further scope for further decarbonisation initiatives.
Reshaping Signalling Systems
Updates were made to the nearby Thames Valley Signalling Centre’s control screens to reflect the data changes and hardware upgrades. – this is part of signalling works.
These changes will reflect the infrastructure alterations on the Back Line and to recover redundant signalling equipment from the scalable workstations.
Speaking on the success of the Christmas blockade, Network Rail’s Western and Wales Programme Director, Charles Newlands said “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Old Oak Common On Networks SRSA team, Network Rail Western Route colleagues and Capital Delivery teams for safely delivering over 15,000hrs of renewals during the Christmas 2024 blockade.
“The Thames Valley corridor is one of the most complex arteries linking the Southwest to London. Thanks to your hard work during 2024 and Christmas we have laid firm foundations on approaches to Old Oak Common station that will also increase route resilience for many years to come.”
The SRSA is comprised of Colas Rail, Network Rail and AECOM, an alliance created to deliver a portfolio of works across the southern region of the UK over a 10-year period.
First published: 22nd January 2025