Putting Safety First on Major Rail Projects with ALO Working

Elite Precast Concrete is Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme and Utilities Vendor Database Service verified. Elite has also supplied a large number of major infrastructure projects including HS2, Crossrail and Hinckley Point C.

The idea, which avoided the need for a disruptive all-line block, came from a comment about Lego blocks, which lead to conversations about the concept of a real virtual wall and research by Network Rail that proved it was viable.

The Cardiff Area Signalling Renewals project was a £300 million renewal and enhancement scheme — which at the time was the largest signalling project of its kind to be commissioned on the rail network.

Network Rail's Keith Morey and Christian Irwin, said: "It was clear getting an all-line possession wasn't possible because of the number of trains that were required to run. To re-plan further with the scarce resource at Easter and Christmas would again impact the signalling programme, so to meet the commissioning timescales, an alternative was needed."

"By thinking outside the box, the project team came up with the idea of a virtual wall, from a throw-away comment about Lego."

"Network Rail, as principal contractor, then looked at the viability of the idea of a real virtual wall and carried out further research. The project found that it was possible to have large size 'blocks' cast and so the possibility of a real wall was born."

"Measurements were calculated, and stability tested, and all was found to be feasible."

Legato walling was delivered, installed at the depot and tested, passing with flying colours. After that it was 'all system go' and the wall was assembled 10-foot over the required distance for the stretch of track to be replaced.

The project was successfully completed within the project programme time and Legato walling is now an approved product for use on any line open construction projects.