and assets tested that were
not picked up on rehearsal
were correspondence tested.
Signalling data was 90 per cent
factory tested in a simulation,
just leaving any outstanding
principles testing and those
elements that couldn’t be
done in the factory, such as the
fringe to Saxmundham SSI and
Ipswich Bacon Factory Curve
Route Relay Interlocking (RRI),
which can’t be simulated on
the workstation. Some train-
detection alterations could not
be implemented prior to this
commissioning.
With the signalling up and
running, the installation and
testing resources moved
to bring the MCBs into
service, one at a time, in
the order Morston Hall,
Thorpe, Levington and
finally Westerfield, due for
completion in the middle
of July. During the main
commissioning, level crossing
indications were strapped
out to fool the interlocking
into thinking the barriers are
down. At each stage, as a new
barrier is brought into service,
the temporary wiring is
recovered, with barrier control
inputs and outputs working
live thereafter.Inevitably, the scheme has
involved temporary road
closures, for which Network Rail
devised a strategy in conjunction
with local councils. For example,
Thorpe and Morston Hall didn’t
have diversion routes, so the
plan was to close one and use
the other as a diversion, then
swap around.The future
The current project effectively
uses up all the existing freight
network capacity. Pinch points
elsewhere, including the single
line from Soham to Ely, Ely
North single lead junctions, and
Syston junctions, will need tobe addressed before embarking
upon further capacity upgrades
on the branch itself.
The vision of entrepreneur
George Tomline, who built
the docks and railway back
in 1875, and the subsequent
commitment of port and
railway owners, has assured
the continuing growth of this
booming port.Thanks to Dan Smith of
VolkerFitzpatrick, Tom
Fitzgerald of Pod-Trak, Darren
Welch of VolkerRail, and Martin
Spencer, Arun Jacobs and Ian
Martin of Network Rail for their
help in preparing this report.Morston Hall barrier
controls and VHLC.Felixstowe container
terminal.54 FE ATURE