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

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

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.
train-detectionSerbia

Hungary-Serbia Railway Project | Serbia

The Hungary-Serbia Railway Project is an iconic project of the “One Belt One Road” Initiative between China and CEE countries. Frauscher provides not only high-quality solutions but also detailed technical support and clarification.
train-detectionIndia

Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (Rewari – Makarpura) | India

The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) represents one of the most strategically significant freight transportation projects in India. By facilitating the seamless transport of goods between major economic hubs, the intention is that the WDFC will significantly boost economic growth and development in the local region and beyond, further underlying the importance of this project.
train-detectionUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Wherry Lines | UK

The Wherry Lines are railway branch lines in East Anglia in the East of England, linking Norwich – Great Yarmouth – Lowestoft. The project aimed to integrate Frauscher Advanced Counter FAdC into two external systems to mitigate against a train passing a red signal without authority on approach to level crossings.
train-detectionAustria

GKB Graz-Köflacher Bahn | Austria

The operator of the Graz-Köflach line has made substantial modernisations to the network, choosing a decentralised system architecture and the EULYNX standardised interface. In this case, it was crucial that the new system would ensure a seamless transition from the previous parallel interface for relay systems to EULYNX.