SIGNALLING & TELECOMS
were dead and in slow decline – but in fact exactly the opposite has happened.
“I congratulate everyone who’s been involved in this fantastic centre, or with the work that’s been going on across the railway lines and infrastructure throughout the north west.”
National Operating Strategy
Simon Whitehorn, a north west native himself, is behind the National Operating Strategy for Network Rail. “I’m glad to be back here,” he told the audience.
“The Manchester ROC – and the other 11 ROCs that will eventually work as part of a network of operating centres around the country – is a key cornerstone in the enablement of the National Operating Strategy.
“This a major programme spanning the next 20-30 years, which will see a gradual migration of traditional signalling locations into facilities such as this. But that’s just a building block. The establishment of the ROCs is an enabler of much greater things: future development of technology to aid our signalling and frontline control staff in how they carry out their tasks day-in, day-out, and also eventually to new signalling schemes and new signalling
76 | rail technology magazine Aug/Sep 14
technology, which is very much on the near horizon.
“It’s absolutely fantastic to see that Manchester is playing its part in enabling the delivery of that longer-term vision for the railways. I really look forward to coming back in the coming years to see the gradual migration into, and filling up of, this wonderful building.”
Jim Sydall is acting route managing director, taking over from Dyan Crowther, who has left Network Rail to be chief operating officer of the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) franchise for Govia.
Sydall said: “Everyone involved in bringing the project to this point should be rightly proud of their achievement. The ROC is a very visible symbol of the importance and scale of the development of the railways in the north west.”
He discussed other recent developments, from electrification in the north west to the Northern Hub and Manchester Victoria improvements.
Modern technology
RTM chatted with some of the signallers already at work, including relief signaller Jimmy Chadderton, who said it would be
helpful to have everyone working together in the new environment. “I think it’ll probably help, because if you’re working as a team, rather than individually, you can give advice and help to others. Levers are antiquated and these modern systems are far better.”
Signaller Paul McVeigh was based at Manchester East Signalling Centre until the beginning of July, but has plenty of experience in traditional signal boxes. He is an enthusiast for the more up-to-date technology he’s now using.
Network Rail says the 12 ROCs’ “advanced signalling tools and technology” will “help reduce delays, improve performance, increase capacity, provide better information to passengers and offer better value for money for passengers and taxpayers.”
RTM asked Andy Scott why the transition of signalling and control into ROCs is over such a long time period, considering these advantages.
He explained: “Money is the simple answer. At one stage, it was a 30-year programme. Over the last couple of years there was a drive to accelerate that, which brought it down to a 15-year programme. But even that had to be tempered, when we came to the final settlement,
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