In September 2017, Unipart Dorman received a customer enquiry requesting the possibility of a foldable Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) mast, at a level crossing at Carleton in Lancashire. In response to this, Unipart Dorman developed a new version of the award winning Assisted Lift Trunnion and GRP post that has revolutionised railway signal installation.
The ALT offers many benefits:
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Fitting on a standard base
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Installation requiring nothing more than simple handtools
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Integral cable management for the plug coupled feed cables contained within a robust padlocked box
The Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) post is lighter than a conventional steel structure, which means the foundation required is much smaller. This is an important factor when considering where the mast needs to be installed, for example, a station platform. GRP also has greater inherent stiffness than equivalent steel posts, which gives excellent resistance to vibration and wind flutter. This in turn delivers superior image stability - a very important factor for CCTV Installations. Using GRP, which is a natural insulator, also increases the safety and usability of CCTV structures in Overhead Line Installations.
As part of Network Rail’s Great North Rail Project (GNRP), Carleton level crossing on the Blackpool line is getting improved CCTV, during Phase 3 of the North West Electrification Programme. The GNRP will see improvements to the network across the north of England enabling hundreds more trains to run each day. Unipart Dorman has also provided the new signals for the project and as these also use the ALT, this has simplified the supply chain by reducing the number of different bases required for a wide variety of installations.
Following the initial discussions of the possibility of using a Unipart Dorman ALT and GRP post combination in this new and innovative way, the design was finalised in February 2018 using in house engineers. This was proposed to Network Rail for approval and the the ALT along with the upgraded CCTV units have successfully been installed.
Robby Bentham, Senior Project Engineer Signalling (Siemens) commented:
"Carleton Crossing will shortly become a CCTV crossing controlled from Manchester ROC as part of the Phase Three NWEP resignalling of the Blackpool to Preston line. The Unipart Dorman ALT posts do a great job for the CCTV cameras and are a far better alternative to the standard posts used on normal crossings".
More opportunities have arisen for the same configuration for radio antenna masts and depot lighting. Contact us to discuss your requirements further or for more information on this and other Unipart Dorman products visit our website www.unipartdorman.co.uk