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Daniel Bennett BEng (Infomechatronics) Hons. MIEAust

Siemens Rail Automation

The Long Block is a novel solution to the constraints of commissioning a signalling system when confronted with limited railway closure times. This engineering solution allows trains to operate through either a single or double track block section that is established through a temporarily decommissioned station area. This allows important off-track activities such as equipment changeovers and recoveries to take place without putting excessive delays on essential passenger and freight services.

To make the Long Block solution portable, the required signalling equipment was housed within two box trailers. At the core of these trailers is a WESTRACE MkII object controller and a Thales AzLM axle counter. A third ‘Radio Repeater’ trailer was constructed to link the Long Block trailers together via radio.

The experience of commissioning the Long Block, whilst ultimately proven successful, was beset some initial failures relating to the communications system. The lessons learnt from this experience, which are discussed within, highlight the need for signalling engineers to become more familiar with the technical aspects understanding and establishing IP networks.