Electrification
How we maintain and install overhead line equipment on the railway near you
Electric trains are better for the environment than diesel trains, and they’re quieter for both those on board the train and those living close to the railway.
We’re making it possible for electric trains to travel on more areas of the rail network by electrifying railway lines that only diesel trains can run on at the moment.
Learn more about some of the work we do to prepare the railway for electrification:
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Overhead line equipment (OLE)
Overhead line equipment (OLE) refers to the overhead wires and supporting infrastructure that carry electricity at 25,000 volts to power electric trains.
Watch the video below to see how we install OLE
OLE and your property
Safety is our number one priority – we place new equipment in a suitable location where access can be gained in the event of a failure.
How the structures holding the overhead wires are spaced depends on design factors including the alignment of the track and how fast trains can travel on that line. Their positioning is critical to the safety and operation of the railway.
We aim to keep local residents informed of our work by writing to those living close to the railway and, where relevant, we hold public information sessions to discuss the works with local communities.
With around five million homes either backing onto or facing the railway in Britain, we are unable to consider individual requests from our lineside neighbours.
Installing OLE
Safety is our priority when working on any part of our railway infrastructure or installing new equipment. We take the utmost care to ensure the safety of our workers, lineside neighbours and rail users at all times.
Installing new overhead line masts and wires for our programme of electrification also involves clearing vegetation from the railway, reconstructing any bridges that are too low to fit the OLE, and piling – drilling foundations for the overhead line masts.
Maintaining OLE
OLE problems can arise because of power supply failure or a mechanical problem, such as the wire or other parts being displaced from the gantry. In this case, no trains can run until the broken equipment is cleared, then diesel trains can run and if the affected part is short enough electric trains can coast past. We’ll carry out the repairs overnight to reduce disruption if possible.
When the failure is serious, for example, if the wires have been brought down, the solution is more complicated and takes more time.
We routinely inspect OLE manually from both ground and high level, and our New Measurement Train runs computerised checks on the OLE during its inspections, giving us the information that we need to fix potential problems before they affect services.
We also upgrade existing OLE to improve the reliability of train services, such as with our programme of OLE renewals on the Great Eastern Mainline in Anglia route.
Piling
Before work can begin on electrifying the railway, we need to complete a vast amount of design and preparation work
Installing foundations to support overhead line equipment (OLE), which we call piling, is part of this preparatory work. Once the cylindrical steel piles have been installed, we then begin to erect trackside posts and overhead wires.
Piling involves driving the piles deep into the ground. This is usually done at night-time on weekdays and weekends. We’re aware of the inconvenience that piling can cause our lineside neighbours and do everything we can to minimise disruption.
In the clip above, you can see and hear the noise levels generated as the piles are driven into the ground at 10, 250 and 500 metres distance.
For safety reasons, work of this type must be carried out while trains are not running. Under our licence conditions we are contractually obliged to work at times that cause the least disruption to train services.
Depending on ground conditions, an average pile takes between 20 and 60 minutes and is often complete on a single occasion. Once complete, work will then progress to another location.
Raising the height of a bridge
With bridge reconstruction work, some disruption is unavoidable – including the temporary closures of roads and footpaths
We make every effort to minimise disruption to local communities and are committed to completing the works as quickly and efficiently as possible. We work closely with stakeholders to make sure sensitive structures are safeguarded.
Working with local authorities helps to ensure effective road diversions are put in place and these are publicised widely. We keep local communities and road users informed of our progress.
Where possible, we try to avoid reconstructing bridges as it’s usually the most costly option and can disrupt the road network. It can be the best choice, particularly if a bridge is in poor condition. Reconstructed bridges have a lifespan in excess of 100 years.
New technology being trialled to make bridge reconstruction unnecessary