Axle Counter Overlay System | UK
train-detectionUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Axle Counter Overlay System | UK

Operator
Network Rail
Country
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Partner
Siemens
Segment
Main & Regional Line
Application
Track Vacancy Detection
Products
FAdC®, RSR123
Year
2019
Scope of project
45 counting heads, 4 FAdC® location cases
Download

Between London St Pancras International Station and Farringdon Station, there is a history of frequent flooding through the tunnels that adversely affected the reliability of the existing train detection system. Due to this, the installation was non-operational during large periods. However, being a mainline section and a core route through London, high reciliation to any sort of failures is vital.

In 2019, Network Rail started to look at how to improve the overall reliability of the railway without removing the existing detection system. The main requirement was guaranteeing maximum availability considering the local conditions without interfering with the existing installation.

Due to its great reliability under such circumstances the Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdC® has been chosen as the most appropriate solution. The FAdC’s® modular design allowed for the establishment of a decentralised architecture, where four external location cases were installed between the two stations to host the axle counter’s indoor equipment. The system is supported by the Frauscher Wheel Sensor RSR123, which precisely tracks every train axle. The sensor is extremely resilient to water penetration and other environmental and external influences. Thanks to the IP68 rated housing, it even works reliably in case of floods.

Excellent match of requirements

The FAdC® units installed in location cases between the stations can communicate with one another via a vital Ethernet interface and also with the higher-ranking system using relay outputs. With overlay systems, the new track sections had to match the existing track section limits. Therefore, the system had a specific requirement to install the RSR123 within 0.5 m of the existing train detection system and within proximity of the neutral section to avoid any impact on the signalling controls.

Great resilience

The RSR123 is highly resilient against any interference or environmental influences.

Similar Projects
This might also interest you
1/5
train-detectionChina

Tram Huangpu Line 1 | China

Tram Huangpu Line 1 (HP1) line is located in urban areas with high traffic density and passenger volume as well as many level crossings. The adverse weather conditions can cause flooding of the track bed and add to the challenges for reliable system availability and operations.
Learn More
train-detectionChina

Beijing Metro Line 12 | China

The Beijing Metro Line 12 is the first metro line that combines Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdC® and Railway Signal Safety Protocol Type I (RSSP-I). The line is currently under construction and expected to be put into operation at the end of 2024.
Learn More
train-detectionSpain

Three-rail Castellbisbal | Spain

The dual-gauge system of the Spanish railway network is quite challenging in terms of track vacancy detection: Wheel sensors must be installed on two rails next to each other in tight spaces and have to detect axles reliably on the respective rail. Frauscher developed a solution which copes also with the complexity of different interlocking technology in the stations along the line.
Learn More
train-detectionTaiwan

Shalun Signaling | Taiwan

The Shalun Line is frequented by four-car-trains and located in the south of Taiwan. Tropical conditions with temperatures between 22 and 28 degrees and high humidity are not the only challenge the Frauscher Axle Counter Solution has to deal with.
Learn More
train-detectionGermany

Dillinger Hütte | Germany

A new ladder track was required to provide more parking tracks in the steel plant. At the same time, the layout of the dead end tracks were optimised and the efficiency of the whole depot improved by installing the Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdC®i in combination with the wheel sensor RSR180. With the implementation of the Frauscher Diagnostic System FDS, the overall maintenance costs can be significantly reduced.
Learn More