Signalling Solutions - Turnkey Train Control and Re-Signalling

Signalling Solutions offers turnkey solutions to the rail industry's train control and re-signalling markets, from conceptual design to full project delivery. Signalling Solutions was formed by combining the complementary signalling resources and signalling products of Alstom.

Signalling Solutions offers support to customers at every stage of their assets' lifecycle. This ranges from early feasibility studies, option selection and scheme design to implementation, delivery strategies, product supply, training and after-sales support.

Non-trailable point machine

The Type HW electrically operated, non-trailable point machine is a well established product, extensively used on railways in the UK and worldwide. Its robust and high-integrity design features include full locking and detection facilities and provide for ease of accessibility to all parts and speed of operational maintenance.

Equally suitable for left or right-hand layouts the HW will operate single or double-ended points, double slips or movable-switch diamonds, regardless of variations in switch fitting or weight of rail.

High-voltage impulse track circuits

The track circuit is a fundamental component of the fail-safe system on railway networks as its main function is to detect a train on a track, whatever the conditions. This function is carried out by Alstom's high-voltage impulse track circuit on more than 30 major railways in the world.

Solid-state interlocking (SSI) signalling system

Alstom's proven solid state interlocking (SSI) electronic signalling system is used on all types of railways throughout the world. The modular format of SSI ensures an optimisation of ease of design, installation and maintenance for a wide range of system applications. SSI provides high levels of safety and availability and allows comprehensive diagnostics, such as self-monitoring, which report failures quickly and accurately to maintenance staff.

Automatic train protection equipment

Alstom's automatic train protection (ATP) equipment creates a safety system that supervises:

• Train speed against permitted train and line speeds
• Braking on the approach to speed restrictions, signals at danger and buffer stops

Alstom ATP equipment provides information, warns if braking is required and - if necessary - intervenes by making a full-service brake application.

The system will make an emergency brake application and bring the train to a stand if it detects the train has passed a signal at danger without authority. Alstom ATP will also make an emergency brake application if the train rolls away down a slope.

Trackside and train-borne ATP equipment

Signalling Solutions is able to supply both trackside and train-borne ATP equipment.  

Hydraulic actuators

The Alstom SO system comprises a range of hydraulic actuators, which provide positive point blade movement proportional to their position in the turnout.

The system includes both back drives and swing-nose frog drives (originally developed for the Italian market), to meet the requirement for various lengths of turnout, including high-speed turnouts.

In-house signalling design capability

Signalling Solutions offers an extensive in-house design capability, experienced in systems design, application design and safety engineering. Signalling Solutions' designs for rail applications incorporate both old and new technologies as necessary.

Signalling Solutions offers a range of technical solutions from solid state interlocking technology through to ERTMS Level 2 solutions, fully supported by the design and supply of control centres, and trackside and train-borne equipment.

Relay and electromechanical signalling systems modification

Signalling Solutions possesses a complete range of capabilities to modify and interface with traditional relay and electromechanical signalling systems. This enables the delivery of complete train control systems.

IRSE-licensed signalling installation teams

Signalling Solutions' experienced installation teams offer effective and low-risk services in all sectors of rail transportation. Licensed by the Institute of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE) and certified by national railway authorities, its teams integrate new and upgraded systems safely into both new-build schemes and existing operational rail networks.

The company's installation teams work either in isolation or as part of larger multi-disciplinary project teams and specialise in coordinating works with other disciplines such as permanent way, traction power and major civil engineering works.

IRSE-licensed testing and commissioning personnel

Signalling Solutions' comprehensive testing and commissioning capability consists of IRSE-licensed personnel with experience of a full range of railway technologies including computer-based interlocking and all support systems.

On both existing installations and new build systems, it has pioneered innovative solutions and developed a unique system of computer-aided testing, which reduces commissioning timescales and project delivery risks.

Signalling Solutions' senior testing staff utilise their abilities with its highly skilled teams throughout the whole design and commissioning lifetime of the projects on which it is employed.