Longsight
PROJECT: Longsight – FT to AT Conversion
CLIENT: Keltbray Aspire
DATE: June 2018
The Longsight Project originally consisted of two elements of work;
• The conversion from fixed termination to auto tension of two wires on the fast lines at Longsight, involving the erection of 6 structures,one of which was a 7 track portal, and the removal of one redundant structure
• The renewal of 17 tension rod isolators between Manchester Piccadilly and Ardwick Junction
Project Details
Wentworth House Rail Systems undertook the design of the two tension lengths of OLE adjacent to the busy Alstrom Train Care Depot.
The works involved:
• Survey of the complete site
• Introduce the use of the Tensorex type C spring tensioner
• Replacement of the support registration arrangements (where applicable)
• Replacement of the droppers
• Creation of a mid-point anchor and
• Interface works connected with in maintaining the existing overlapping fixed terminated equipment.
One of the challenges was to change the concept design of two, Twin Track Cantilever (TTC) structures due to the proximity of the embankment retaining wall to the proposed foundations. The design solution replaced the TTC’s with two Portal structures with one of their supporting legs sited on top of the retaining wall. To remove overturning moments from the wall, the knee-brace was removed from the retaining wall side of the portal. During this process WHRSL were able to call on our Civil Engineering Partners, Wentworth House Partnership, to provide a full structural assessment of the retaining wall to determine that it was able to support the applied loadings. Careful consideration was given to rationalise the concept design further by removing the proposed 7-track portal structure and replacing it with a TTC. This was achieved by considering the applied loadings to the structure.
WENTWORTH HOUSE RAIL SYSTEMS
Wentworth House Rail Systems is a leading provider of Overhead Line (OLE) Design and Consultancy services.
Office Location
Unit 2, Wellfield Business Park,
Preston Brook,
Runcorn,
WA7 3AZ
