What’s new from Signet Solutions
Delta Rail Programme
Following the successful delivery two years ago of a first programme to train recent engineering graduates in IECC data preparation. Signet Solutions are delighted to be repeating this success story with a new graduate intake. Delta Rail carefully selected a group of eight recent engineering graduates to strengthen the company’s IECC data preparation and software development capabilities. Signet Solutions assisted in the screening process by designing and marking a technical aptitude test which all candidates sat. The test was designed to test the candidates’ ability to perform the types of data manipulations which will be found in the job role, whilst being careful to be “technology neutral”, not benefitting any candidate who happened to know a little more about the subject already.
The training programme, which is now underway, consists of a series of alternating training events, provided by Signet Solutions, and work placements provided by Delta Rail. The training events are tailor-made to incrementally increase the trainees’ knowledge, relevant to their final job roles, in easily-digestible steps. The work placements are designed to consolidate the formal course learning with projects directly related to the new knowledge just acquired.
The current programme is in fact a slight modification of the programme previously delivered; the modifications being based upon changes in working practice, feedback from the previous programme, and differences in the final job roles compared to the previous group.
This successful programme demonstrates Signet Solutions’ commitment to excellent satisfaction of customers’ needs by careful design of training content to meet the exact workplace requirements.
SSI Data Preparation Training
Over the last two years, Signet Solutions have developed the capability to deliver SSI Data Preparation Training. This training takes trainees from a starting point of zero knowledge of SSI data, to be able to complete the full data set for the complete central interlocking for a simple track layout. The course exercise enables each student to demonstrate this, culminating in their setting to work a simple interlocking and demonstrating correct and safe operation. The course has been successfully delivered to positive feedback for several significant clients in the UK and worldwide.
The course is normally delivered at the customer’s site using the customer’s Design Workstation (DWS) equipment for the student exercise. However, in the event that a DWS is not available, the course can be delivered in any location using the SSI Workbench ® product from The Railway Engineering Company (TRE). SSI Workbench enables the full file set for the SSI interlocking to be created, compiled and tested with the convenience of a PC platform.
Level Crossing Training
To complement our range of relay interlockings and trackside training equipment, Signet Solutions are expanding into the field of level crossing training.
Our Level Crossing Design Course has already been successfully delivered. This explains to the delegate the full process involved in level crossing design, including risk assessment, the level crossing order and circuit design. In terms of circuit design, the generic trackside components are explained in detail, and then the concepts are integrated together to give a deep understanding of the complex control circuits for AHBC and MCB type level crossings. Ways in which the typical circuits must be adapted to specific situations are explored. New technologies such as level crossing predictors, the S60 barrier mechanism and obstacle detectors are also considered.
We are proud to be in the process of commissioning our level crossing training installation. The trackside equipment comprises a style 843 barrier machine and two road light units. These are interfaced to a general equipment rack carrying the interfaces to these devices as well as the system power supply. A second logic rack connects to the general rack via a plug coupler. The logic rack carries all of the equipment which is specific to the level crossing type such as AHBC or MCB, enabling the common trackside equipment to be part of either type of crossing, simply by plugging-in a different logic rack.
Initially we are building an AHBC type crossing, fully up to date with current standards, and including a challenging variety of signalling principles. One line of the double-line crossing has full bidirectional controls , including all mitigations against track circuit failure modes. The other line is unidirectional, but includes the complication of a signal within the strike-in zone requiring regulation controls. The installation therefore includes a representative range of technical complexity capable of challenging the designer, tester or maintainer during their training experience. A future second logic rack will give Manned Barrier Crossing (MCB) functionality.
ACC and ERTMS course development for Ansaldo STS Academy
Building upon our highly successful work to assist Ansaldo STS Academy (Australia) in developing the capability to deliver local variants of our most popular course titles, Signet Solutions were asked in 2011 by Ansaldo STS Academy (Italy) to develop two new courses. The courses are on the subjects of ACC (2nd Line Maintenance) and ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System).
Ansaldo STS has in recent years expanded by acquisition, inheriting a variety of product ranges and staff skills. The unified company is standardising its product ranges, generating the need to train staff on the higher-level equipment choice, design and maintenance aspects of the standard company products. The courses will be delivered to Ansaldo STS staff worldwide, initially by Signet Solutions’ consultants, with a longer term roll-out to delivery by Ansaldo STS’ internal trainers.
The pilot deliveries of both courses have now taken place successfully in Genoa, Italy and Zaragoza, Spain. Ever striving for improvement, minor changes are being made based upon student feedback before the final versions of the course will be handed over to the client.
Minor Railways Technical Workshop
Signet Solutions recently held a technical workshop at their Derby site for the Minor Railways section of the IRSE.
This workshop was made possible by the support and sponsorship of Eldin Management Ltd and was the second workshop, the first being held in 2010.
The workshop’s aim was to introduce to the delegates the need to maintain and test equipment on their particular railway. This is an important factor since most of the people who carry out this work are volunteers and may have not had any experience, training or development on their main line equivalents.
The workshop set out to look at the basic requirements from an operational point of view as well as reference to relevant standards (ROGS) to enable the delegates to gain an understanding of the need to plan and carry out work accordingly.
The workshop was held over the weekend of the 24th & 25th September and allowed 2 days of theoretical and practical sessions to be held.
The classroom sessions whilst being theory based were also very interactive as it was an ideal opportunity for people to gain access to practical equipment without the use affecting any ‘specials’ that were due to run.
It also allowed discussions on the problems that individuals could encounter on their own railway and what guidance could be available. This proved to be very useful as everybody was able to share experience and problems and how some had been resolved.
The practical sessions were able to allow people the time to see how inspection, maintenance and testing can ensure a system is kept healthy and returns to the operators correctly. There are clearly some differing practices but this can to the size of the individual railways but do not detract from the need to carry out work correctly.
Singapore
2011 saw Signet Solutions providing some consultancy services in Singapore. This was for the installation works of the new signalling system to be installed on Singapore’s North South and East-West lines,
The current signalling system of the NSEWL has been in operation for more than 3 decades and some of its components are approaching obsolescence.
Signet Solutions acted as consultant signalling experts to help create and cost the installation works plan for the NSEW Resignalling project. The consulting scope also included the installation works for the TUAS West extension, which will be let as part of the same contract.
Beginning in 2012, the signalling system for the NSEWL will be upgraded over the next eight years. Due to the complexity of the upgrading process and the requirement minimise disruption to rail operations, the upgrading of the signalling system will be done in stages during the 3‐4 non‐operating hours of the rail network each night over a period of eight years.
During the Consulting process Signet developed solutions to deal with the tight installation time constraints imposed by this project. Signet recognise that it is vitally important to this project to ensure that overnight works do not result in delays for passengers. Some of the proposed solutions include automated works trolleys, battery banks for hand tools, and the development of easy clip devices to secure signalling equipment to the rails quickly, allowing faster installation and maintenance times.
On completion, the new moving block signalling system will allow trains to run at intervals of close to 100 seconds during peak hours compared to today’s 120‐130 seconds with the current fixed block system. This will translate to shorter waiting time for commuters during peak hours as compared to the current 2‐ 3.5 minutes.
Signalling System Appreciation for Managers
This course is intended to equip those involved in the management of signalling work or signalling training and competence with the basic knowledge of the technologies, working practices and requirements involved in the industry- we are offering this course free of charge on a first come first served basis as a pilot course on Wednesday 4th January to Friday 6th January 2012. If you would like to book a place please do not hesitate to contact us.
Location Design Project
Traditionally, lower level signal design training has tended to concentrate on transferring the underpinning knowledge of individual components and circuits, with little opportunity to practice the application of this knowledge by creating complete designs. Of course, the best way for the trainee designer to practice these application skills is by doing real work in the office. However, project urgency, “lack of experience” and the restricted nature of work naturally taking place may conspire to limit the effectiveness of this method. Signet Solutions’ Location Design Project overcomes this hurdle by providing an opportunity for the trainee designer to design a complete relay or SSI based location, making a full range of real design decisions under the guidance of our experienced mentor. More Details
E10K Interlocking Design
E10K Interlocking design course is intended for staff needing to gain an underpinning knowledge of the style of Interlocking developed by the Western Region of British Railways from the 1950s onwards. The course includes a detailed look at the control tables associated with this interlocking style and the operation of the circuits used within the E10K interlocking. An underpinning knowledge assessment is provided at the end of the course.
More Details
Development Programmes
Signet Solutions deliver tailored training to many Blue Chip clients including major mainline and rapid transit infrastructure operators, delivery contractors, regulatory and investigatory bodies. Our quality of service is such that we have become suppliers of choice in long term working relationships. Try us once and you’ll discover why! More Details
Consultancy
Experts advising experts. Our consultants are industry leaders in their fields, well placed to offer the best advice and solutions for your technical challenges. More details
Siemens PLC Training Course – NEW
In association with Focus Engineering Signet are now offering PLC Training. This course is intended for Signalling Engineers Project/Design Engineers who may be using PLC’s as part of their control system or have a need to understand more about PLCs and their applications.
Focus Engineering is an experienced Company in the delivery of this training and already provides this to Irish Rail (Iarnod Eireann) where PLCs are used for Level Crossing Applications. Please call for more details.