Network Rail
Case Study
Dedicated remote control system developed for Network Rail
HBC-radiomatic (UK) Ltd has developed a new kit, in line with Network Rail’s specification, to help the organisation to recover stranded railway maintenance vehicles safely, and keep passenger and freight trains moving.
The new kit is:
Lightweight and portable, able to be operated by one person.
Highly effective in supporting the safe movement of stranded vehicles.
Based on tried and tested technology that is approved by Network Rail.
The Birmingham-based company, a fully accredited partner and sole UK & Ireland agent for HBC-radiomatic GmbH, the renowned German manufacturer, provides a range of versatile, radio-controlled solutions for applications in a wide range of industries, from the factory floor to forestry.
When Network Rail developed new recovery procedures for its maintenance machines, it identified the need for equipment to remotely apply 24V DC from the machines’ 110V AC outlets to up to 6 hydraulic solenoid valves.
It turned to HBC-radiomatic to develop kit to this very specific requirement, confident in its technology, which was already used on its stock.
A dedicated remote control unit
The solution required a dedicated, long-lasting remote control unit, which was lightweight and easy to use in trackside locations that were often tricky to access, as well as robust enough to cope with all-weather conditions.
Specifically, Network Rail wanted a unit that could assist in the recovery of its machines by allowing the operator to be in a position of safety. The machines are used throughout the year to help to keep the network in a safe, well-maintained operating condition.
All of Network Rail’s specialist machines are programmable logic controller (PLC)-controlled. In the highly unlikely and extremely rare event these, and their back up systems fail, recovery equipment and procedures enable Network Rail to recover the machines and avoid disruption.
Working collaboratively, HBC-radiomatic delivered a bespoke unit, in line with Network Rail’s specification, for an accessible, radio-controlled solution, which would be easy to use both on Network Rail’s ballast cleaning service (BCS) vehicles and track relaying system (TRS).
Network Rail’s application using HBC-radiomatic radio equipment will work with most 24V DC hydraulic solenoid valves and a 110V AC or 24V DC supply. Similar radio equipment is already used for normal operations on the D75, an undercutter used within the TRS, which is already approved for use by Network Rail.
Safety is paramount, and the kit produced for Network Rail is lightweight, easy to carry when walking trackside and easy for one person to lift and attach to the side of the machine, even in dark and stormy conditions. The remote control transmitter unit is also easy to handle and based on tried and tested technology used in a wide range of lifting and industrial applications.
Mark Hollyhead, technical sales manager at HBC-radiomatic (UK), explains: “The equipment allows Network Rail teams to rescue a train manually, in the event of failure, by allowing them to remotely apply 24V DC from the machines 110V AC outlets to up to 6 hydraulic solenoid valves, so that they can move the BCS and clear the track from a place of safety.”
The new recovery system, based on HBC-radiomatic’s radiobus® technology, has been customised specifically to interface with technology on the BCS.
The main unit measures 300mm x 400mm and weighs just 7.5kg. It can easily be carried trackside and connected by magnets to the outside of the machine. The unit is then manually connected to the required hydraulic solenoid valves via cables and operated via a remote control, which allows the operator to stow parts of the machine from a position of safety, clear of any moving parts. These comprise of the following: RM900, 09-CM, New Ballast Power Wagon and Spoil Power Wagon.
The remote control transmitters weigh just 3kg and include a range of safety and security features to ensure they can only be accessed by authorised personnel.
The new trackside recovery units will also be used to assist with future emergency recovery procedures for the D75 undercutter machines of Network Rail’s two track relaying systems.
For more information about the new system, please get in touch.
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