he last twelve months have seen a number Tof notable developments to Siemens Rail Automation’s control systems technology, with significant improvements in the functionality, performance and configuration of the key systems components.

At the heart of the company’s suite of products is its proven Controlguide Westcad computer-based control and display system, which following the development of new Modular Control Rack (MCR) technology, is now able to incorporate train describer functionality and to interface seamlessly with the Controlguide Westronic 1024 Time Division Multiplexer (TDM) system.

Controlling the Loop The first application of this new technology was deployed in 2012 to support Network Rail’s European Train Control System (ETCS) trials programme at its National Integration Facility. The work covered a five-mile effectively proving the ability of Westcad MCR to remotely stretch of the down line on the Hertford Loop (between control any interlocking anywhere in the UK over the FTN. Molewood Tunnel and Langley South junction) which now To provide a higher level of protection than would be given has the interlocking control from a relocatable equipment by the FTN, a new proprietary communication protocol building (REB) in the former Hitchin goods yard. was introduced. Siemens designed, installed, tested and commissioned an MCR system in the REB to provide a local control point Bigger performance, smaller package for the interlocking – the remote/main control work Having received Generic Approval from Network Rail station being at Kings Cross Power Signal Box, with Hitchin and having been through a full safety case, Controlguide being the local facility. A lockable switch at Hitchin allows Westcad MCR and Westronic 1024 both incorporate for the transfer of control between the emergency Siemens’ new mid-plane technology, providing the Westcad at Hitchin and the main Westcad control work smallest possible footprint and dramatically reducing the station at King’s Cross. size of standard control systems equipment (reducing The project represented the first installation in the UK of the space requirement for a complete control system a computer-based interlocking being controlled remotely from a full equipment cubicle to the size of a standard over Network Rail’s Fixed Telecoms Network (FTN), domestic microwave oven). The introduction of common modules also allows for standardisation in both training and spare-holding requirements, with the modules all fully EMC-certified for installation within their own housing, or for mounting in relay racking, 19 inch cubicles or at the rear of a work-station. Due to be commissioned later this year, the Wolverhampton resignalling programme will be the first to feature a fully-duplicated control and train describer system in a single rack, both running on the same processor and with a direct interface for the required emergency alarms. A major requirement of the development programme Mike Lewis, Siemens Rail Automation UK’s head of was to ensure a familiar user interface for the systems control systems, said: “This project will represent the most as well as providing the flexibility for their use in a wide cost-effective control centre solution available, with the variety of new and retrofit applications. train describer running as a software module within our Mike Lewis continued: “With this dramatic reduction proven control system to deliver significantly improved in size comes some obvious benefits. The unit is more performance and reduced cost, and perfectly portable and features much simplified cabling and demonstrates the dramatic reduction in required drawings; consequently design, installation and testing footprint – from a full cubicle to a single rack. are all easier and significantly faster. With a range of “Unlike other manufacturers, we took the decision at an diagnostic tools and hot-swap standby features, the early stage in the development process to base our system is also incredibly reliable and easy to maintain. system developments on bespoke hardware, rather than “The move away from industrial PCs and Compact PCI relying on commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions. This technology allows any of the cards to be hot-swapped. not only allowed us to specify equipment without having Consequently, the system can ‘lose’ a card and it to make compromises, but also to keep full control of the automatically switches to another whilst the faulty one is hardware development and manage the whole life cycle repaired and replaced. We’re using a ten layer mid-plane of the product, with the design of the connectors and to do all the interconnections, which has eliminated the interfaces ensuring full backward and forward need for multiple processor housings and the associated compatibility.” interconnects.” Faster installation equipment and has been so successful, that Siemens has Using a suitable communications link, the system is able received orders to install the same solution for York, Rugby to drive most types of interlocking, including solid- state and Three Bridges ROCs. interlocking (SSI), Trackguard Westlock, Trackguard Westrace and relay interlockings. Automatic Route Flexible functionality Setting (ARS) and Automatic Route Facility (ARF) have also Completing the control systems portfolio is Siemens’ both been successfully integrated and are operating on Controlguide Westronic 1024 system which includes a Network Rail infrastructure. point-to-point TDM, panel processor, emergency alarm Earlier this year and as part of the Thameslink system, signalling SCADA RTU and panel and TD input programme at London Bridge, Siemens undertook a full, multiplexers. Again flexibility has been key to the system’s like-for-like replacement of the life-expired train describer development and it can accept a number of rear transition equipment. The company introduced a modern system cards, allowing for the simple ‘plug and play’ replacement of designed and developed to provide support both for the existing TDM systems such as S2 and TDM69. legacy equipment and future upgrade requirements, The system is able to be used as part of re-control projects including the facility to allow simple re-control to Three where existing route relay interlockings are retained – the Bridges rail operating centre (ROC). rear cards of the product are simply changed to suit the site, By employing the new technology as front-end rather than an extensive programme of rewiring being signalling processors, the company was able to complete required. Changeover times are therefore significantly a seamless changeover, with implementation having to reduced and route closures minimised. be undertaken to minimise possession times, access Fully compliant with Network Rail’s FTN, the systems are times and operational disruption. The new train also capable of interfacing to all types of interlocking describer cubicles were all installed in their final position (including BR Freewire, geographical, Western E10K, ERSE with all the new interfacing cabling and trunking pre- and OCS). The complementary output card (COP) also installed. Whereas the original equipment was installed in guards against single-bit failure of TDMs and allows a direct the 1990s over a whole weekend, this work was connection to ERSE and E10K interlockings, significantly commissioned in less than half that time. reducing the need for additional relay circuitry for these two Another first for the application of this new technology interlockings on re-control schemes. was introduced as part of the Huyton to Roby resignalling Mike Lewis continued: “We have now pre-installed 12 programme which was commissioned in July 2014. Controlguide Westcad MCR systems in the Manchester Developing a bespoke signallers’ workstation, Siemens ROC this year, and have also secured the control configured its Controlguide Westcad MCR system as a systems work for both the York ROC Stafford resignalling front-end display solution, with an ethernet connection to programme (which is the first to be commissioned into the equipment room interlocking management system Rugby ROC). (IMS). This custom desk incorporates ‘slide-out’ “With further work at the East and West Midlands equipment bays to maximise the maintainability of the control centres during the year, we will also be installing two further systems at Three Bridges ROC over Christmas 2014 as part of the wider Thameslink programme. Future phases will introduce our Westcad E software which has interfaces to the Siemens radio block controller (RBC) for ERTMS applications. “We are however also continuing with the development of the systems group of products, with Immediate Route Setting (IRS) functionality planned to be introduced in 2015 at Cardiff and Romford ROCs as part of our ongoing Traffic Management Systems work with Thales. This will provide a direct interface between our Westcad MCR control system and Thales’ Aramis traffic management system and introduce our Controlguide Westcad technology which allows for flexible control. “Future development work will also see the development of interfaces to the Controlguide Westcad E system from Frequentis’ telecommunications system and a novel solution to interface CCTV level crossing control – all of which will allow even greater flexibility of working between desks”. William Wilson, Siemens Rail Automation’s director sales and commercial, said: “These are very exciting times for Siemens; having made a significant investment in new technology, we now have a portfolio of products ready for the next generation of Network Rail projects which require operational cost efficiencies, higher reliability, functionality and performance.”