Post by metrailway on Jan 11, 2015 20:01:15 GMT
The Independent reports that Crossrail has major issues with its signalling system:
Crossrail faces the prospect of signal trouble from day one
Engineers say the interface with the national rail network is causing problems and could even fail when new line opens.
Crossrail, the South-East's £15bn new rail line, is on course for a humiliating signalling failure when it opens in 2018.
The project chairman, Terry Morgan, confirmed that a "mitigation plan" was being put in place as it grows increasingly likely that signalling on the 73-mile Berkshire-to-Essex link won't work properly. This would mean a reduction of train services from the start.
Crossrail uses a complicated mix of traditional metro signalling and state-of-the-art systems to link trains on the 26 miles of new tracks beneath London to existing major cross-country rail lines.
Engineers and rail experts are struggling to create "interfaces", meaning the trains are unable to smoothly switch from the relatively conventional Metro system to a higher-tech standard once they have left central London. Sources say with only three years to go these problems might not be resolved in time.
...
A source who has recently worked on Crossrail said: "The most likely scenario is that Crossrail will open with a significantly reduced service." A second source close to the project said: "In the extreme you wouldn't be able to run any trains. Signalling technology in this industry is something that has challenged everybody for a very, very long time."
Engineers say the interface with the national rail network is causing problems and could even fail when new line opens.
Crossrail, the South-East's £15bn new rail line, is on course for a humiliating signalling failure when it opens in 2018.
The project chairman, Terry Morgan, confirmed that a "mitigation plan" was being put in place as it grows increasingly likely that signalling on the 73-mile Berkshire-to-Essex link won't work properly. This would mean a reduction of train services from the start.
Crossrail uses a complicated mix of traditional metro signalling and state-of-the-art systems to link trains on the 26 miles of new tracks beneath London to existing major cross-country rail lines.
Engineers and rail experts are struggling to create "interfaces", meaning the trains are unable to smoothly switch from the relatively conventional Metro system to a higher-tech standard once they have left central London. Sources say with only three years to go these problems might not be resolved in time.
...
A source who has recently worked on Crossrail said: "The most likely scenario is that Crossrail will open with a significantly reduced service." A second source close to the project said: "In the extreme you wouldn't be able to run any trains. Signalling technology in this industry is something that has challenged everybody for a very, very long time."
