Modern signalling system is ready to run trains on the new East West Rail route between Oxford and Milton Keynes to help make rail journeys reliable.
The signalling technology used on the new railway line is the first of its kind in Britain, at the point of commissioning in October 2024, offering improved reliability for passengers and freight services.
A brand new workstation has been created at Network Rail’s Rugby rail operating centre, where the West Coast Main Line, the Europe’s busiest mixed use railway, is controlled from. The ‘Claydon workstation’ is equipped with very the latest systems and software with support from AtkinsRéalis’ Advanced Signalling Method (ASM), benefitting from high capacity fibre connectivity to ensure trains run safely and reliably.
Testing and training will continue to take place over the coming months. While there is no designated freight route on the infrastructure yet, freight operators can now use the track when needed.
“We’re pleased to welcome further test trains on the brand new East West Rail route between Milton Keynes and Oxford, where future passenger and freight services will benefit from some of the most advanced signalling technology in use on the British rail network,” Gary Walsh, route director for West Coast South, said.
The new East West Rail route has created six jobs for newly qualified signallers in Rugby with a plan to expand the team when future phases of East West Rail are built.
Network Rail with its East West Rail Alliance Partners, AtkinsRéalis, Laing O’Rourke and VolkerRail, completed building the GBP 1.2 billion (EUR 1.44 billion) investment in ‘Connection Stage One’ (CS1) of the project in October 2024. Since then, Network Rail has been collaborating with the Department for Transport (DfT) and its industry partners to run test trains and prepare the infrastructure for future passenger and freight services.
The modern signalling infrastructure boasts:
- 59 new signals;
- 154,490 metres of signalling cable;
- 41 miles of track (66 km);
- 18 points (to direct trains at junctions);
- 71 axle counter sections (to detect available track) using 96 axle counter heads;
- 54 signalling location cases.
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