Allpoints - Balfour Beatty Rail

The newsletter for Balfour Beatty Rail Projects
A lPoints
Issue 11: Autumn 2007
Delivering
innovative
trackwork
BALFOUR Beatty Rail’s Kirow
crane lowers a section of the
innovative modular
trackwork into place during
BBRP’s works on the Gretna
to Annan Redoubling Scheme
in Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
For a progress report on this
pioneering project see
page six.
Two more contracts
secured in London
BBRP has successfully secured two
contracts in London. One of the
projects, at Orient Way in East London,
is a key part of the preparations of London’s
Olympic Park, while the other, GE
Rationalisation, involves BBRP in the early
stages of major improvements to the Great
Eastern Main Line.
The multi-disciplinary contract for the design
and construction of new sidings at Orient Way
for the Olympic Delivery Authority involves
reconfiguration of the existing sidings and
maintenance depot to provide a new 12-road
sidings for diesel and 25kV traction powered
rolling stock.
In summer 2008, the sidings will
replace the current Network Rail sidings at
Thornton’s Field, in the heart of the Olympic
Park, which need to be relocated in order to
unlock the area for the construction of key
2012 venues.
BBRP will design and construct
approximately 5km of permanent way,
overhead line equipment, signalling,
telecomms, civils and associated works – as
well as construct a new welfare building at
the sidings. The project commences in
September 2007 and is scheduled for
completion by the end of June 2008.
The site is adjacent to the new
Temple Mills Depot,
recently completed by BBRP to provide
stabling, servicing and maintenance of
Eurostar’s fleet of trains.
Keith Hampson, Managing Director
(Interim) of BBRP, said: “We are proud to have
been awarded the Orient Way Sidings
contract.”
Continued page four.
Birthday cake marks sweet taste of success – page seven

Considerable
amount of
activity in UK
and overseas
By Managing Director (Interim)
Keith Hampson
WE recently celebrated the 10th
anniversary of the formation of BBRP,
a milestone that gave us the
opportunity to reflect on a decade of
achievement by the company.
However, our birthday was not just
a time to look back. We can also
celebrate the fact that there is
currently a tremendous amount of
activity both in the UK and overseas.
As well as our core teams based in
the UK, BBRP now has staff in India,
Chile, Australia, Singapore and the
USA working on existing projects or
on assignments to win new
contracts.
The hard work of our tendering and
estimating teams is continuing to pay
off with two new contract awards,
which are both featured on the front
page of this issue of All Points. And,
looking ahead, with the significant
tender workload set to continue this
year, prospects are promising.
Like all successful businesses,
BBRP has to adapt to deal with both
internal changes and external
factors. This has certainly been the
case in recent months, for example
with the reorganisation of BBR in the
UK. During times of such change, we
must remember that the fundamental
core of what we do successfully
remains intact. Keeping a clear
vision of our collective role is vital
during these periods.
Finally, I have to report we had a
number of safety-related incidents
during the summer. I know it’s been
said before, but we cannot be
reminded enough that we have a
collective responsibility to carry out
all our activities with the utmost
regard for people’s safety.
2
Interim pre-tax profits
rise by 36 per cent
INTERIM Results announced by Balfour
Beatty plc for the six months to 30 June 2007
show that underlying pre-tax profits stood at
£76 million – up 36 per cent on profits for the
first half of 2006. The exceptional write-off of
£103 million on Metronet was offset by two
exceptional gains elsewhere.
An increased turnover to £3,505 million
reflects the continuing growth of the Group, in
particular from acquisitions, which is
underlined by a strong operating cash
performance of £181 million and an order book
standing at £10.6 billion, up by 20 per cent since
the beginning of July last year.
The Group also substantially enhanced the
future earnings growth potential of the business
with the acquisitions of Centex Construction in
the US (now Balfour Beatty Construction US),
Exeter International Airport and a number of
other small but important niche acquisitions.
Commenting on the results, Sir David John,
Chairman, and Ian Tyler, Chief Executive, said:
“It is pleasing to report a first half year of
particularly strong profit and earnings growth,
coupled with a further significant strengthening
of our cash position and growth in our order
A London Underground train
on the new Piccadilly Line
Extension at Heathrow Airport’s
new Terminal 5 project which is
now nearing completion.
book. With our workloads continuing to
increase, projects progressing well and a full
six months’ contribution from Balfour Beatty
Construction US, we anticipate further good
progress in the second half of the year.”
In the Rail Engineering and Services sector,
profits increased by 18 per cent to £13 million.
This figure reflects improved performance in
the UK rail businesses, with the highly complex
Heathrow Terminal 5 project nearing
completion, and high levels of activity in
renewals for Network Rail and trackwork for
the London Underground system. It is expected
to see continuing good progress in the second
half of the year.
For the longer term, Balfour Beatty made
particular reference to the recently published
UK government’s White Paper on its 30-year rail
strategy which highlighted £10 billion is to be
invested in network capacity enhancement
between 2009 and 2014.
Commenting on BBRP’s performance, Rory
Mitchell, Finance Director, said: “BBRP had a
satisfactory first half performance and we
remain on course to meet our year end
targets.”

The 100-strong team of
people responsible for
BBRP’s Engineering and
Design capability make a vital
contribution towards the
company’s success in winning
new business both in the UK and
overseas.
Around 70 staff at BBRP’s Kirkby
office specialise in electrification
design, while others based at Derby,
Croydon and York undertake multifunctional
and single discipline design
for permanent way, mechanical &
electrical engineering and
civil/structural engineering.
This resource is as unique as it is
unusual for a contractor in today’s
railway industry to be able to offer
such a strong in-house design service
for which most competitors rely on
external consultants. This strength not
only gives BBRP an important edge
over rival contractors in bidding and
delivering design and build projects, it
also provides a significant opportunity
to deliver design only contracts for
external clients.
BBRP has always prided itself on
its ability to evolve in line with its
customers’ ever-changing approaches
to business operations, and this
attitude naturally extends to the
company’s Engineering and Design
function.
The electrification design team
successfully secured two multi-million
design only contracts for the design of
all overhead line equipment on
Network Rail’s Rugby and Trent Valley
Four Tracking projects, part of the
West Coast Route Modernisation
programme. Both contracts were
awarded on the basis of BBRP’s
reputation for delivering complex
staging designs and its unique
capability in high speed cross-over
design, already developed, delivered
and proven on its Watford-Bletchley
project.
Following the team’s successful
completion of its complex power
commissionings at Temple Mills
Depot and Heathrow Terminal 5, the
team will now focus on modelling and
design for the East London Line
project, together with the significant
overhead line opportunities available
on the Great Eastern Rationalisation
programme.
The Engineering function has also
continued to develop its expertise in
the field of 3D modelling. Recent
innovations include the introduction of
“4D modelling” which, by integrating
a construction programme into the
modelling process, creates a timerelated
construction model. This
tool is providing invaluable
benefits to projects by identifying
cost savings, de-risking
construction phasing and
reducing programme and
approval times.
The function’s permanent
way team has also experienced
similar successes. By building
an excellent reputation on the
London Underground, the team is
confident of securing further
significant workload on the renewal
of the Underground over the next few
years and beyond. This workload,
coupled with the award of the first of
many detailed design packages on the
huge Thameslink programme, has
made an invaluable contribution to
the company, and further enhanced
BBRP’s reputation in this field.
The consultancy side of the
business also continues to grow
steadily with projects delivered in the
UK and overseas. In the UK, the
function is teaming up with BBRP’s
signalling business and seeking to
supply technical services to Network
Rail and the Olympic Development
Authority. Overseas, BBRP’s
consultancy function regularly
supports the business’s tendering and
Electrification
work on the
Trent Valley
Four Tracking
– a notable
design-only
commission.
Design service gives BBRP
IMPORTANT EDGE
business development departments in
important upcoming markets such as
Singapore and Chile, as well as
carrying out work for other clients.
Recent activities include wheel rail
interface studies on the Santiago
Metro and dynamic modelling of
overhead line equipment interaction
in Australia.
Nick Dunne, BBRP Engineering,
Safety and Assurance Director, says:
“By building on our successes to date
while continuing to grow the depth
and breadth of our technical
expertise, we are looking to benefit
from the many evolving design and
consultancy opportunities in the
marketplace.”
Track
inspection on
the Santiago
Metro in
Chile.
3

Two contracts
are secured
in London
Continued from page one Innovative
“This rail project, which is our fourth
contract in the area in recent years, will
enable us to demonstrate the
multi-disciplinary skills of our team. We
look forward to delivering it to our usual
high standards.”
The BBRP project team will be headed
by Project Manager, Elliot Young and will
include Project QS, Matt Dykes and
Construction Manager, Mark Gallimore.
The £3 million-plus GE OLE
Rationalisation Bridge 19 to Forest Gate
Junction contract near Liverpool Street
Station was awarded by Network Rail. It
involves the modification of the existing
complex overhead line system on the
Great Eastern Main Line at Bethnal Green,
Stratford, Maryland and Forest Gate.
The design and build project, which
commenced in August 2007 and is due for
completion in December 2008, includes
the installation of 44 overhead line
structures, together with the installation
of 56 new structural foundations.
The award of this contract means
BBRP is involved in the early stage of the
GE OLE Rationalisation scheme, which
will eventually upgrade the overhead line
equipment on the Great Eastern Main
Line from Liverpool Street Station in the
City to Chelmsford and Southend Victoria.
Due to the busy urban location of the
works, a key challenge for the project
team will involve carrying out the
modifications to overhead line equipment
while ensuring no disruption to train
operations on the line.
Keith Hampson said: “This contract
will enable BBRP, and in particular our
Chelmsford based Electrification Unit, to
further demonstrate our extensive
in-house capabilities.
“We shall be utilising our wealth of
electrification experience gained on
projects such as West Coast Main Line to
carry out the project safely and
efficiently. As we are involved at such an
early stage of the GE OLE Rationalisation
scheme, BBRP will be tendering for other
work during the programme and this
contract provides us with an ideal
opportunity to demonstrate our
capabilities and put the company in a
good position to win more contracts as
the scheme progresses.”
The BBRP team will be lead by Project
Manager, Kevin Marshall with
commercial support from Irina Salimova.
4
New personal approach to recruitment aims to attract high calibre people to the company
recruitment website
captures teamwork theme
WHEN it comes to
attracting the right
people to work for
BBRP, the company has certainly
got its act together.
A new recruitment website is
now up and running, with an
eye-catching format designed to
attract a wide range of people
looking for a career opportunity or
advancement in the railway
industry.
The site address –
www.togetherwe.co.uk –
captures the “together” theme of
the Balfour Beatty Rail employer
brand image, reflecting the
teamwork approach with
divisions, skills and products
which are able to come together
to provide customers with a total
service from a single source.
The career specific website
was created because it was felt
that the main company site –
www.bbrail.com – was geared
towards corporate customers.
That site remains operational and
can be accessed via a link from
the new recruitment site.
A click of the mouse introduces
site visitors to features, such as
an interactive map, rotating
images and the ability to apply
on-line. One part of the site is
devoted to profiles of almost 30
staff from around Balfour Beatty
Rail, including BBRP.
The resulting section, which
contains photos and interviews
with the staff, was designed so
that individual profiles appear on
The group photograph on the “Meet Our People” section of the recruitment website. To access the profiles, like the two pictured right, visitors
simply click on an individual’s image or choose from a list of names.
the site on a rota basis, meaning
the “Meet Our People” section
can be refreshed at regular
intervals.
To complement the website, a
site for internal applicants has
also been launched –
http://internal.togetherwe.co.uk –
which contains job opportunities
across the Balfour Beatty Rail
businesses.
BBRP Resourcing Manager
Nicola Barton said: “In a
marketplace like ours, which has
a shortage of skilled individuals,
candidates use a company’s
website to see how they identify
with the company and what sets it
apart from other employers. As a
result, they are progressively
demanding interactive features,
instant and relevant information
and on-line application facilities.
“It’s increasingly the case that
an employer’s website is seen as
a reflection of how it treats its
people. This new site gives us the
opportunity to show in a fresh way
how our business works,
showcase the opportunities on
offer and effectively communicate
the Balfour Beatty Rail ethos.
“Also, the recruitment website
is more flexible than traditional
print advertising as it can be
quickly updated to reflect the
changing needs of our business,
while giving potential employees
access to our vacancies 24-7.”
With much improved
technology, the “together” site
It’s increasingly the case that an employer’s website
is seen as a reflection of how it treats its people.
Resourcing Manager Nicola Barton
will soon appear in search
engines whenever a search is
made using specific terminology.
Analytical tools mean BBRP can
currently track what keywords are
used in search engines –
information that will help to modify
and update the site so it keeps
abreast of what people want to
see on a careers site.
The most popular Google
search so far is the actual website
address. The most unusual to date
is “the apprentice applications
interviews London”. (Apologies to
Sir Alan Sugar!)
5

Pioneering Pioneering Pioneering new
new
new
systems systems systems despite
despite
despite
summer summer summer deluge
deluge
deluge
BRAVING one of the wettest
summers on record... and
helping to pioneer a new
track laying system. They were
just two of the recent challenges
for the BBRP team working on
the Gretna to Annan Redoubling
Scheme in Dumfriesshire,
Scotland.
The £13 million implementation
works contract, awarded by
Network Rail Major Projects &
Investments (Enhancements), will
double the existing single track
line of the 13km-long route
between Gretna Green and
Annan stations.
Work is now well underway on
the ambitious project that will
remove a considerable
bottleneck and provide increased
capacity for passenger trains, as
well as freight movements of coal
from Scotland to England.
BBRP commenced work on site
in early June and the first stage
of the project was to install new
drainage – just as the summer
deluge started. As a result, when
the team excavated the site, they
exposed old field drains that
cascaded ground water into the
new workings!
A blockade from 00.35 hours on
Saturday 14 July to 05.30 hours
on Monday 30 July provided a
16-day window to start on track
work.
6
In places the existing single
track was laid at a raised
level and ran under the
centre of the arched bridges
to allow adequate height
clearance for trains.
Therefore, to ensure the
newly positioned double track
clears the lower parts of the
arches, the BBRP site team have
had to lower track levels.
Sections of the existing single
track were then slewed into
position on the down line ready
for installation of new track on
the up line.
In addition, at the Ministry of
Defence (MOD) establishment at
Eastriggs, sidings were laid
leading into the facility, with the
creation of two crossovers and
an additional turnout leading to
the MOD land.
It was this section of the line
that gave the team the opportunity
to help pioneer the new modular
method of installing switches and
crossings, using pre-fabricated
panels assembled by Balfour
Beatty group company Edgar
Allen at Beeston, Nottingham.
Ten panels were delivered to
site by articulated trailers and
installed using Balfour Beatty
Rail’s Kirow crane. This modular
process has only been used on a
few occasions on the UK rail
network and was considerably
Construction
work taking
place on the line’s
additional track
during the recent
blockade.
quicker than traditional “loose”
track laying techniques.
Most of the down line is now in
place, apart from a 1.3km section
on which more drainage work
and a track slew has to be
carried out. The reconstruction of
four bridges – one underbridge
and three overbridges – has also
been carried out in order to
accommodate the new
double-track arrangement.
The team will soon be in a
Reconstruction works
being carried out on one of
the route’s bridge decks.
position to start laying the second
track on the up line, utilising the
Balfour Beatty Rail New Track
Construction machine which
provides a time saving on site
rolling production line.
The UK rail signalling joint
venture of BBRP and Alstom,
soon to commence trading as
Signalling Solutions Limited, will
design and construct the project’s
signalling and communications.
Much of the remaining work
will be carried out during more
possessions, which will be mainly
weekend blockades.
Martin Godley, Engineering
Manager and one of the key
members of the project team,
said: “Like most projects, this one
has thrown up some unexpected
challenges, such as the flooding
problem during the initial
drainage work in what was
supposed to be the summer.
“However, the contract is
going well, and we were pleased
to have the opportunity to trial the
new modular switch and crossing
laying system.”

SENIOR Catenary Engineer Vince
Michael, a valued member of the
Stephenson House team at Kirkby, has
retired after 32 globetrotting years with
Balfour Beatty during which he was
responsible for wiring on many high
profile railway electrification projects.
Vince started his career as a
trainee in 1958 with Indian
Railways for which he later worked
in a supervisory role installing 25kV
electrification throughout India.
After joining Balfour Beatty
Power Construction
(Traction and General
Division) in 1975, he held
Andy Whalley
presents his prize
cheque to Laura
Clarke, Community
Fundraiser for Marie
Curie Cancer Care.
Idea generates
green prize
ANDY Whalley’s “green” idea
generated so much interest among
colleagues that it won him this
year’s BBRP Environmental Award.
The Project Manager, who works for
Balfour Beatty Rail Signalling at Derby
investigated the possibility of using an
environmentally friendly on-site generator.
Andy discovered one powered by gas
which produced far less CO 2 emissions than
a convention diesel generator, as well as
being more economical. In addition, the gas
generator was quieter than the conventional
diesel type, making it a much better option
when carrying out work close to residential
developments.
Vince bows out after 32 years
Vince Michael, right, is presented with
his retirement certificate from Keith
Warburton, Head of Electrification Design.
After putting the gas-powered generator
to the test on one of his projects, Andy
discovered the “greener” generator –
supplied within the welfare units from
Elliott Hire – performed extremely well,
resulting in lower pollution levels and
running costs.
Keith Hampson, Managing Director
(Interim) of BBRP, presented Andy with the
Environmental Award winner’s shield and a
cheque for £300 made out to the charity of
Andy’s choice – Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The charity also benefited from a further
£150 contribution when Andy donated his
own £50 winning cheque and Elliott Hire
kindly made a £100 donation.
the posts of Site Engineer, Senior Wiring
Engineer, Senior Construction Engineer
and Senior Catenary Engineer on
overseas projects as far apart as Brazil
and Hong Kong. Closer to home, he
worked on Manchester Metro, Sheffield
Supertram and WCRM OLE &
Distribution Alliance
in the UK.
BBRP
10 Cake cutting
marks tenth
anniversary
MANY happy returns!
Interim Managing Director Keith Hampson
cuts a giant cake to mark Balfour Beatty Rail
Projects’ tenth birthday in July.
Proud staff celebrated a decade of UK and
overseas success for the company that has its
roots in Balfour Beatty’s railway business
stretching back over 100 years. The
anniversary also marked a decade based at its
headquarters at Midland House, Derby.
BBRP was formed in 1997 when Balfour
Beatty merged its long established rail power
and electrification, and trackwork operations.
Keith Hampson said: “Over the last ten years
BBRP has demonstrated its enviable
capabilities to deliver many complex projects
around the world, and we are very much
looking to the future with confidence.”
Staff ring up cash
for junior school
BBRP’s upgrade of its company mobile phones
rang up a £650 donation to Wombwell Park
Junior School in Barnsley.
The money will go towards creating the
school’s environmental project, an outdoor
classroom and nature garden, which will cost an
estimated £20,000 in total.
The school was nominated by a BBRP
employee to receive the money, which was
raised by the recycling of the old
company-issued phones.
7

Milestone
crossing loop
completed at
Nammoona
THE major North Coast Line improvement
programme in Australia has reached a
significant milestone with completion
of the new crossing loop at Nammoona.
The 1,854m-long loop, located 4km north of
Casino, is part of the upgrade of the existing
800km rail corridor between Sydney and
Brisbane.
The £87 million Strategic Alliance Contract
– Northern Improvement is being carried out
for the Australian Rail Track Corporation
(ARTC) by Transport Express Joint Venture
(TEJV), a joint venture between BBRP
(operating as Balfour Beatty Australia) and
Laing O’Rourke Australia.
At Nammoona, a new section of mainline
has been built, with the existing mainline
being converted for use as the new crossing
loop, allowing 1,500m-long freight trains
Mark and son
get on their
bikes for
charity
A section
of the new
crossing loop at
Nammoona.
travelling in the same or opposite
direction to pass each other on the
single-track North Coast Line. The project
involves constructing or extending a total of
16 crossing loops, together with the upgrade
of a further 18 loops, so they will be long
enough to accommodate 1,500m-long trains.
The signalling controlling the new
Nammoona crossing loop forms part of
ARTC’s new Centralised Train Control (CTC)
system on the North Coast. ARTC is currently
replacing the 19th-century train control
PEDAL power raised more than £600
for Balfour Beatty’s Chosen Charity
of the Year NCH thanks to a
sponsored cycle marathon by Mark
Armond, Engineering Design
Manager on the East London Line
project, and his son Tom.
The intrepid pair got on their bikes
and cycled 220 miles from
Newcastle upon Tyne to York, via
Durham, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough,
Whitby, the North York Moors and
Pickering. At one point father and
son had to wade through two feet of
flood water close to the East Coast
Main Line.
Mark and Tom collected about
£300 in sponsorship from BBRP
colleagues and friends, and together
with Gift Aid donations and Balfour
8 Published by Balfour Beatty Rail Projects Limited. Editor Janette Masson, Communications & Marketing Manager, Room B203,
Midland House, Nelson Street, Derby DE1 2SA. Tel: 01332 262057 Fax: 01332 262295 email: janette.masson@bbrail.com
system from Casino to Acacia Ridge near
Brisbane and, as the new and extended loops
are commissioned, they are being added to
the CTC system which is being extended north
ahead of completion of the new loops.
David Marchant, Chief Executive of ARTC,
said: “The new crossing loop at Nammoona is
part of the programme to allow train operators
to consistently run these important longer
freight trains on the North Coast Line and
increase the capacity and competitiveness of
the rail freight industry.”
Beatty match-funding, their ride
raised a total of around £660.
This isn’t the first time that the
pair have raised money for a good
cause through cycling – two years
ago, Mark and Tom cycled the
100-mile outer loop of the Surrey
Cycleway to raise a similar amount
for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
● Mark is pictured left standing
on the Ordnance Survey datum point
at Danby Beacon in the North York
Moors and, below, on his bike.