TRU Colton Junction OLE works completed successfully, bringing better journeys a step closer

Over the course of a weekend in March, SYSTRA colleagues and others from the alliance partners – Network Rail, Murphy, VolkerRail and Siemens – carried out work on a unique and complex section of overhead line equipment (OLE).

In additional to this, with all lines closed and the high voltage power de-energised, they also completed:

• Replacement of two sets of points south of York
• Laying new track
• Signalling upgrades and drainage improvements
• Installing new overhead line foundations and masts 

Our proactive approach to these works, and the technical expertise we provided, were integral to the successful completion of this work.

Steph Whiteley, Project Director, SYSTRA Ltd

This is all vital enabling works towards ensuring electric passenger trains can begin running between York and Church Fenton later this summer, bringing benefits to passengers and the environment.

Steph Whiteley, Project Director, commented: “The on-time and safe completion of another piece of essential work on TRU is once again testament to the efforts of everyone across the alliance.

“Great effort was made in the planning and carrying out of the works, and it really showed in the quality and efficiency in which it was completed.

“Our proactive approach to these works, and the technical expertise we provided, were integral to the successful completion of this work.”

As part of the wider TRU benefits of line speed increase and more frequent services, SYSTRA’s new tangential wiring across a diamond track crossing, is designed to mitigate operational risks of the existing wiring geometry and therefore improving the asset and pantograph performance.

This unique design was not available in the Network Rail legacy design range, which resulted in the SYSTRA design team going back to first principles and working alongside the University of Huddersfield to undertake iterative design and dynamic modelling. Following the weekend works, highspeed image corelation was undertaken, proving the design and modelling which validated the simulations becoming reality.

Find out more about our work on the TRU project.