Alstoms Smartlock solution to equip Great Western Main Line in UK

Signalling Solutions Ltd, a 50-50 joint venture company formed by Alstom Transport and Balfour Beatty, has received from Network Rail (the UK main line infrastructure operator) a contract worth 6 million to install Alstom's Smartlock interlocking technology for the Crossrail Surface Signalling West Inner relocking project on the Great Western Main Line in the U.K.

The final commissioning date for the new interlocking system is December 2011.

Alstom will supply four Smartlock interlockings to replace the thirteen existing solid state interlockings (SSI) located and controlled in Slough. The new interlockings will be located and controlled in Network Rails new Thames Valley Signalling Centre in Didcot..

The area controlled by the new system extends from Londons Western Terminus, Paddington, to West Drayton. It represents a distance of approximately 12.5 miles (20 km) and includes the branch line to London Heathrow Airport.

The project will make the line future ready when in-cab European Train Control System (ETCS [1]) is overlaid on the line, by 2016. It will also provide additional signalling capacity to meet the signalling requirements for the planned Crossrail line, due to be operational by 2018.

Steve McLaren, MD of Signalling Solutions Ltd said: The award of this significant order demonstrates Network Rails confidence in SSL to deliver this crucial, time-critical project which provides a step towards the development of ETCS as well as the first phase of the signalling changes required to support Crossrail.

About Signalling Solutions Ltd

Signalling Solutions Ltd is a 50-50 joint venture company formed by Alstom Transport and Balfour Beatty Rail. Launched in October 2007, Signalling Solutions is the UK and Irelands sole channel for signalling products and systems previously supplied by the parent companies. Signalling Solutions collective in-house expertise offers a complete range of capabilities including planning, design, product supply, installation, testing and commissioning for all types of railways.

About the Smartlock solution

Smartlock contributes to the safety of rail traffic. This solution enables infrastructure managers to oversee their operations effectively, in complete safety and with maximum return. Since 1997, 17 computerized interlocking control units have been supplied to Frances national rail network (RFF), including the largest such unit in Europe in the city of Strasbourg in 2006. In May 2009, one of Europes first super-integrated centres was delivered to Bologna, Italy. The centre manages infrastructure for eight lines, 29 train stations, over 600 signals, 300 beacons, 1,400 major routes and 1,700 shunting routes.

About Alstom Transport

A promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom is the only manufacturer in the world to offer a complete range of high performance products, including rolling stock, infrastructures, information systems, services and turnkey solutions. Mindful of operators´ ever more stringent profitability objectives and of their growing need for sustainable mobility solutions, Alstom provides eco-friendly and economical products and services to its customers. In 2010-2011, Alstom Transport recorded sales of 5.6 billion. Alstom Transport is present in over 60 countries and employs some 26,000 people.

Press contact
Karen Brouiller
Tel.: + 33 1 57 06 80 01
Karen.brouiller@transport.alstom.com

[1] ETCS (European Train Control System) is a component of ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) which is a system for the management and control of the rail traffic on the lines of the Trans-European Networks.
 

• Smartlock Interlocking