In the early hours of Saturday, November 2, as the seven-day blockade of South London’s lines drew to a close, Alstom‘s Digital and Integrated Systems team successfully commissioned the new Tulse Hill Smartlock Interlocking system.

During the seven-day closure, Alstom’s engineers completed the installation of 23 kilometres of new signalling, power supply, and telecoms cables, along with 61 new signals. Alstom’s engineers also upgraded power supplies and sent any redundant 1980s equipment from the old system for recycling.

The new signalling system, now in use from Tulse Hill, Peckham Rye, and Crystal Palace, is predicted to speed up rail travel and enhance the reliability of passenger services for Southern, Thameslink, and London Overground, as well as freight operations that all use these lines.

This system which is now overseen by Alstom’s advanced Modular Control System Infinity workstation can offer remote signalling and automatic route setting between trains, all of which has been linked and can be overseen, managed and if need be operated, from the Three Bridges Rail Operating Centre which is run by Network Rail.

Alstom’s digital interlocking system provides extensive coverage over a larger distance. By using the IP network, the system can transmit train control information from each train while ensuring that safety conditions are adhered to.

The system uses this information to manage points, signals, and even level crossings. It verifies that track sections are clear, before automatically setting up the route for the next train, before displaying the appropriate colour light aspect on the signal.

The system is designed to avoid conflicts and will not set a particular signal or route if the signalling section ahead of the preceding train is occupied.

“I am incredibly proud and humbled to have been able to lead such a driven, committed and determined team that has achieved this milestone, and I would like to extend my thanks to all those involved.

This commissioning will set the tone for Victoria Phase 5 to introduce further Alstom hardware into Three Bridges Rail Operating Centre and cement Alstom as a key delivery partner in the Southern Region going forward through Control Period 7 and into Control Period 8.”

Peter Mills, Victoria Phase 4 Project Director at Alstom