2003-11-09 South Eastern Trains to take over operation of south eastern rail services this weekend (South Eastern Trains)

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date 28 January 2003
source Anglia Railways
type Press release

Anglia Railways has announced the successful completion of the major programme to fit the company's entire fleet of trains with the new Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) equipment. All 99 driving compartments across the entire fleet (including mainline locomotives, the new Class 170 diesel trains and local trains) have now been modified to include the TPWS equipment.

The programme to fit TPWS was successfully completed at the company's Crown Point maintenance depot in Norwich on 21 January, eleven months in advance of the 31 December 2003 deadline set by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). Anglia Railways is the first train operator in the Eastern Region to successfully complete the modification project, which provides improved protection for trains at key signals and junctions on routes where trains are travelling at up to 100mph, enhancing the existing advance warning system.

Regulations were issued by the HSE in 1999 for the rail industry to commence fitment of TPWS with a view for all train operators in the UK to modify train fleets and for Railtrack (now Network Rail) to also complete the necessary infrastructure work, for TPWS to be fully operational - across the rail network - by 31 December 2003.

The Anglia Railways fleet engineering team has worked closely with Network Rail and the Rolling Stock leasing companies on this major project. In addition to the completion of the modifications to trains, all routes (with the exception of the East Suffolk line between Ipswich and Lowestoft) operated by Anglia Railways in the region, have now been upgraded by Network Rail to include the appropriate TPWS equipment at signals and junctions. This means that TPWS is now fully operational with the exception of the East Suffolk line where the outstanding work is to be completed later this year.

The modification to Anglia Railways' trains driving cabs in fitting TPWS represents a significant investment of £500k. The overall cost of the project, across the entire rail network is in the region of £500m.

Commenting on the successful completion of the TPWS project, Mark Pickersgill, Anglia Railways' Operations Director said:

"The successful conclusion of this major project provides a key step-forward in the trains' warning system, offering greater protection and enhanced levels of safety.

"It is also a great tribute to the commitment and professionalism of the fleet engineering team at our Crown Point depot that the project has been completed almost twelve months in advance of the industry deadline, providing yet another first for Anglia Railways in the region."

How does TPWS work?

o Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) is designed to stop a train that passes through a red signal within its 200 yard safety overlap and before it can come into contact with any other train. To do this, trackside equipment including electro-magnetic detection loops work in conjunction with the TPWS equipment fitted to the train, comprising of transmitter loops, which will activate the braking system when an irregularity (such as a train passing a red signal) is detected.

o Further back from the signal, an overspeed sensor system will be triggered by any train approaching a signal at a higher speed than normal. This consists of a separated pair of transmitter loops, the distance between which varies depending on factors such as the line speed, gradient of the route, etc. Generally, the higher the line speed, the greater the distance between the loops. When a train passes over the first loop, a timer on the trainborne system is started. If the second loop is reached before the timer runs out, then a full emergency brake is automatically applied. Once the brakes have been applied, the driver cannot override the application for at least one minute.

o TPWS works on all fitted trains travelling at any speed and is designed to stop trains travelling at up to 75 mph within the 200 yard safety overlap. Trains travelling at more than 75 mph still have their brakes automatically applied and although they may not come to a complete stop within 200 yards, the train will still have its speed dramatically cut, reducing the risk of a serious collision.

o Following recommendations made by the Cullen-Uff inquiry into train protection, the next stage in the system development, TPWS+, is now under way. This will provide greater protection to trains travelling at more than 70mph in order to stop them in the standard overlap area.

o TPWS, while not potentially reducing the overall number of Signals Passed at Danger (SPADs), will mitigate against the chance of a serious incident. Already, the industry has seen reductions in the number of serious SPADs where TPWS is fitted

Railhub Archive ::: 2003-01-28 ANG-001