Cornish signalling progress

Plymouth panel: Amey tester Peter Day carries out testing on the new signal sections on the Up and Down Main at Bethany near Menheniot on the existing Henry Williams panel dating back to the early 1960s. CM/Network Rail

THE FIRST phase of signalling upgrades in Cornwall has been completed by Network Rail.

The work took place over the weekend of 21-22 April, with the final phase scheduled for October. The scheme involves installation of additional signals to enable a half-hourly service to operate between Plymouth and Penzance from January 2019.

Amey is contractor for the eastern part of the project, covering the stretch from St Germans to Lostwithiel, which involves an additional signal section at Menheniot, between St Germans and Liskeard, plus extra signals at Bodmin Parkway.

Atkins is the contractor for the western part, from Par to St Erth.

This involves three new signal sections between Truro and St Erth.

The new equipment is to be controlled from existing signal boxes in Lostwithiel and Plymouth.

A comprehensive resignalling scheme, covering replacement of all semaphores in the county by colour lights and control from a single point, is expected at some point in the future.

New asset: the new Down Main banner repeater at Bodmin Parkway. CM/Network Rail
All hands on deck: the Amey team tests signalling equipment. CM/Network Rail
Lostwithiel box: the signal tester carrying out commissioning on the new panel. New signals were provided on the up and down main at Bodmin Parkway. CM/Network Rail