At the end of March, testing of Network Rail’s new Series 1 OLE system was successfully completed at the Old Dalby test track. The testing demonstrated TSI compliance (European Technical Specification for Interoperability) of Series 1, as well as its performance and resilience.

Series 1 is Network Rail’s new OLE system for higher speeds (up to 140mph), which will first be deployed on the Great Western Electrification Programme; it has been developed by Furrer+Frey. Eventually Series 1 will be merged with Series 2 – Network Rail’s new system for lower speed routes – to create the new UK Master Series Index. This will be the future overall OLE system to be deployed on all new electrification programmes.

Old Dalby was developed with a colossal amount of collaboration; Furrer+Frey was able to use Old Dalby as a case study in its recent BS 11000 accreditation in collaboration.

Tests included the most onerous combinations for an OLE system to demonstrate its reliance – this included testing in degraded states and very low bridges next to crossovers at high speed. The organisations’ teams outside the Great Western Electrification Programme included Southeastern and Hitachi, who provided the ‘Katherine Grainger’ (a Javelin train), as well as their maintenance team and drivers.

Old Dalby is managed and operated by Serco and Serco also provided testing equipment and data. The new pantograph and pantograph support was provided by Brecknell Willis. The design and materials for the OLE were supplied by Furrer+Frey, which also carried out dynamic simulations of the OLE in collaboration with Politecnico Di Milano.

Recanting of the test track to allow for increasing the line speed up to 125mph was completed by Balfour Beatty. Civil designs and modifications to the existing OLE were undertaken by Atkins. OLE installation was carried out by Network Rail’s OCR team and Morgan Sindall. Design support was also provided by Network Rail’s EPDG team. Close interface was required with Transport for London, who were simultaneously testing new S Stock at Old Dalby.

Beyond that, the project was supported by many teams throughout Network Rail and other suppliers, including for the reestablishment of traction power, testing equipment and materials, without which the end result would not have been possible.

After two years of planning, Old Dalby was successfully completed. The next phase of testing for Series 1 will be on the actual Great Western infrastructure.