Level 3 Diploma in Engineering and
Technology (QCF)
Unit QETA/096
Railway Infrastructure – Overhead Line Equipment
Construction
Assessment No.01
Candidate Name:
Candidate Signature: ……………………………………
Completion Date: ……………….........................
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Assessment 1.0: OLE Planning Process
Produce a report detailing the planning process for an OLE construction activity (min 600 words), using a recent
work as the basis for the report. The report should detail the following:
• Strategic planning process for engineering possessions
• Planning of engineers trains and on track plant
• Ordering and supply of materials
• Manpower requirements
• Road rail machines requirements
• Possession arrangements
• On track plant detailed plans
• Interface with other engineering functions
• Isolation of Traction Supply
• Bill of quantities for activity
• Manufacture, order and delivery of OLE components
• Pre-assembly / delivery of components
• Detailed construction activity
• Work activity Plan (Gantt Chart)
• Progress reporting arrangements
• Risk Assessment
• Disposal of waste materials
• Mechanical checks carried out prior to opening to service
• Electrical checks carried out prior to opening to service
• Collation of as built records
• Handover from constructor to maintainer
Strategic planning process for engineering possessions:
The planning process for significant railway infrastructures begins under the Transport and Works Act
1992 (TWA). Any TWA orders are presented to the Government/Secretary of State for consideration
and approval. Approval is granted where there is significant benefits to local/regional networks,
where it links businesses, reduces traffic congestion, creates an economic growth in those areas
through the approval process.
A TWA gives the power for the compulsory requisition of land or access to land affected in the building
process. Any objections from landowners, businesses or residential areas affected by the
development would need to be considered as part of the TWA process, any objections could result in
a public enquiry with any amendments made to the TWA at this stage prior to any approval being
granted.
Once approved ‘possession’ of the land can take place prior to the commencement of any works
commencing. Possession considers all areas such as where the work is being carried out (distance for
upgrade of existing track), the dates where the work is to be started and completed, the actual on site
working times, the manpower required, machinery required, the effect on train services and
passengers where other modes of transport can be provided i.e. replacement bus services. Work is
usually carried out on existing lines during the night where trains are not operating and public
holidays.
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Planning of engineers trains and on track plant:
As a person responsible Protecting Workers during Train Movement on Track (PWT-TM) they are
involved in controlling and supervising the movements of an engineer’s train or mechanised vehicle
in a worksite within a possession under the instructions of a person acting as the PWT-PW. In these
circumstances a PWT-TM must be on board an engineer’s train before it enters a worksite within a
possession. A planning meeting will take place on the day or night of the possession before the
possession is taken. The engineer in charge must brief all staff on their respective activities.
Mechanised vehicles that do not conform to the definition of a train can only enter or leave a
possession: by means of a level access adjacent on-or-off-tracking point by being craned in from, or
off from an adjacent location by other means not involving movement on the operational railway.
Arrangements for allowing mechanised vehicles to on-or-off-track into or out of a possession must be
covered in the possession plan and possession works guide. If a mechanised vehicle can operate on
traction current which is switched ‘on’ within the possession and the PWT-TM is assigned to the
mechanised vehicle, they must get confirmation from the vehicle operator that the isolation
arrangements on the mechanised vehicle have been carried out.
Railway Engineering Train-Locomotive 66213 at Byfleet & New Haw with train 6N09 to Balham on
21st June 2009.
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Ordering and supplies:
During the planning process and prior to possession and the implementation of work, consideration
must be given to implement a detailed plan of works, including the delivery of equipment. The plan
should include:
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What plant and equipment is required for the works.
When does the work start and finish.
What plant and equipment is required and at what stage of the project.
Consideration should be given to storage requirements.
Consideration should be given to on-site security regarding potential threat of theft of
equipment or plant.
Manpower requirements:
During the planning process and prior to possession and the implementation of work, consideration
should be given to the manpower requirements to complete the works in time, the plan should
include:
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The engineer appointed to be in charge of the possession.
The COSS appointed to lead the works to be carried out.
The length of the works to be carried out i.e. start and finish dates.
The number of operational hours in which the work is carried out.
The number of operatives required to carry out the work.
The number of qualified on site machine operators required.
The direct costs in terms of wages.
Road rail machine requirements:
During the planning process and prior to possession and the implementation of work, consideration
must be given to road rail machine requirements, the plan should include:
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The types of machines required.
The number of machines required.
The date(s) each machine is required i.e. at what stages of the project.
All machines must be operated by a qualified person.
Possession arrangements:
The possession plan will include the following information:
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The engineer appointed to be in charge of the possession.
The COSS appointed to lead the works to be carried out.
When the work will be carried out i.e. start and finish dates.
The section to be worked on at each stage.
The working times during the possession i.e. during the night when trains are not running,
public holidays i.e. Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Years Day.
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On track plant detailed plans:
The detailed plan for on track plant should include:
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What type of plant is required at each stage of the project.
When the plant is required and what are the working times the plant will be operated.
Where the plant will be positioned during the works.
Access and egress regarding the work site.
Modifications to the land required to provide safe access and egress.
Interface with other engineering functions:
The interface with other engineering functions could include the following when installing OLE:
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The modification to bridges.
The modification to tunnels where they may be a requirement to be heightened.
Where heightening may not be possible, to lower the track.
Isolation of traction supply:
Prior to any works commencing the Controller must isolate the section or sections of the OLE and track
to be worked upon. The line and OLE must be tested prior to any work commencing. Prior to isolation
the following must be identified within the possession plan:
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The Controller authorised to isolate the power.
The COSS on site.
The date the isolation will take place.
The time the isolation will commence and the time it will end.
The bill of quantities for activity:
A bill of quantities (BOQ) is a document used in tendering in the construction industry and includes
the following during the tendering process:
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The cost of the plant equipment.
The cost of materials and parts.
The cost of labour.
Manufacture, order and delivery of OLE components:
During the processes of manufacturing, ordering and taking delivery of OLE components the following
should be considered:
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The manufacturer carries out the work to the correct design requirements (track standards).
Manufacturing time scales and identified in the project plan.
Equipment is ordered at the correct stages of the project.
The equipment is delivered on time.
Consideration is given to the storage requirements including security.
The use of HOPS trains is particularly useful during the delivery process and this will reduce the amount
of storage required for the OLE components.
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Pre-assembly / delivery of components:
The benefits of pre-assembly of the OLE components are:
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It will reduce the amount of on-site man hours to make up the components.
It may also reduce the possession time as the equipment will be on site ready for installation.
Detailed construction activity:
The detailed construction activity for OLE will include the following:
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Planning and design of the route and location.
Assessing any existing track, stations, tunnels and bridges for development.
Determining the soil mechanics and surrounding areas.
Determining the route geometry.
Calculating the timescale for the works to be complete.
Equipment and plant requirements.
Manpower requirements.
Drainage and foundation requirements.
Type of masts required.
Installing masts using mechanical equipment.
Installing the small steel parts.
Installing the wires and cables.
Installing the substations to feed the OLE.
Work activity plan (Gantt Chart):
The work activity plan will include the following:
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Where the works is being carried out (precise location).
The date or dates that particular section is being undertaken.
The works being carried out per period/date.
The exact times the work will be carried out.
The date the work will be completed.
Example of a Gantt Chart
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Progress reporting arrangements:
Meetings will be planned in advance and form part of a regular calendar for the relevant team leaders
to meet and update on the progress of the project as follows:
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Discuss the current stage of the project and against the planned programme.
Discuss any issues or problems encountered that may have contributed to delays.
Discuss any environmental issues i.e. noise, pollution etc.
Discuss the next stage of the development and work schedule.
Risk assessment:
A comprehensive risk assessment must be carried out for each stage of the planned works taking into
account the following:
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The work that is required (in this case the installation of OLE).
The partner involved in the installation.
The tasks that are required to complete the installation.
The risks associated with the tasks involved.
The likelihood of harm in carrying out these tasks.
Can the task be eliminated (unlikely).
Introduce control measures for the task.
Monitor and review the risk assessment.
Disposal of waste materials:
The disposal of waste materials should assessed as follows:
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Does the waste impact on the environment and requires instant removal.
Can the waste be used in other areas of the development i.e. excess soil during excavation.
Can the waste be recycled.
Does the waste have re-sale value for other projects or agencies to offset against the cost of
the installation.
Mechanical checks carried out prior to opening to service:
Checks need to be carried out on the OLE equipment, below is an example of a mechanical problem:
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Mechanical problems, for example the wire is down or parts are displaced from the gantry
meaning no trains can run until these can be repaired. Checks on all connections need to be
carried out to ensure they are tightly connected.
Electrical checks carried out prior to opening to service:
The OLE installation can be checked manually from both ground and high level. Checks are carried
out to ensure all cables and wires are secure, checking the electrical current can be done by using
live-line tools and live-line measuring devices.
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Collation of as built records:
The as built records should be collated to include all areas including the design specifications,
installation specifications and drawings, Health & Safety documents, safe systems of work, safe
working practices and risk assessments. The records must be retained for reference and where
possible visited for future developments.
Handover from constructor to maintainer:
A handover meeting will be arranged between the two parties for the constructor to handover the
track to the maintainer (Network Rail). The handover should include all of the relevant documentation
as identified above (as built records). As well as the above it must include any testing and safety
certificates.
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