Proceedings 2002/2003 - IRSE

CTRL SIGNALLING AND COMMUNICATIONS 83
regular testing of the signalling once commissioned.
He also noted that, as the line was not built to
conventional UK loading gauge, whether non-
Eurostar (passenger) trains would use the line and
asked what the axle weight limit for freight trains
was. Finally he questioned if the access charges
might deter some train operating companies from
using the line.
R Stokes responded that utilisation of a test train
for routine cyclical testing was planned and that the
line was designed for a freight axle loading of 22 1 /2
tonnes at 140 km/h. He also stated that Union
Railways would allow access to any train operator
provided their rolling stock was compatible with the
traction supply and signalling arrangements. He
believed that the limiting factor would actually be the
strict conditions applied for rolling stock passing
through the Channel Tunnel.
G Moens additionally advised that mis-routing
arrangements were to be applied at Singlewell to
prevent out of gauge trains from being directed
towards Fawkham Junction.
J Lester (Eurostar) commented that use of KVB is
very restrictive, slowing down operations on the
railway and wondered if this factor had been
considered in the design.
G Moens stated that there was a balance between
safety and performance and any ATP systems will
affect performance.
P Bassett (AEA Technology) observed that
numerous signals and their corresponding KVB
loops were being installed at St Pancras in the name
of headway improvements. He wondered if this
would not perpetuate the philosophy of running on
“double yellows”, but with new technology, and
questioned if too much was trying to be squeezed
into too short a section of railway.
R Stokes responded by stating that a great deal of
work had been done to rationalise the signalling at
St Pancras but it was not an ideal layout. The design
had not yet been finalised but a minimum of ETCS
Level 1 had to be installed. He also advised that
there would not be as many signals as exists at
Glasgow Central!
C Porter (IRSE Vice-President) thanked M. G
Moens and Mr R Stokes for their paper and
expressed the view that it would be good to finally
see in-cab signalling in use in the UK.