Rail Commuters Could Benefit From New Type of Platform

This year will see the replacement of many of the Mark 1 slam door trains, so familiar to South East commuters, with modern sliding door trains.

While these new trains will improve safety and comfort, there are currently train services operating where the train length can be up to three times as long as the existing platforms. By 2004 however, when the new sliding door stock is introduced, this practice will no longer be permitted because new rolling stock operational practices will not have the existing ‘concessions’ applicable to the Mark 1 fleet.

The lengthening, where necessary, of platforms to serve all carriages will increase the rate at which passengers can get into and out of trains, thereby reducing station dwell times and improving punctuality. Indeed, the Strategic Rail Authority has identified station and platform refurbishment, renewal and extension as a key aspect of its overall objectives.

But this good news could potentially bring further misery for commuters from the impact of the necessary and extensive engineering works required to lengthen the station platforms to match the new carriages. This could lead to disruption unless a fast and cost effective method of delivery for platform extensions is found.

Corus Rail, part of the international metal company Corus, has come up with a neat solution. Modular steel framed platforms, which can be installed more quickly and more economically than ‘conventional’  construction methods or bulkier pre-fabricated concrete systems will allow, without disrupting the normal daily operation of train services.
 
 This new type of platform has already been installed at St Pancras, where Channel Tunnel Rail Link engineering work required a 60-metre extension to be installed in less than two days. And at Barry, in South Wales, an 80-metre platform was constructed in a ‘heritage’ style to blend in with historic surroundings.
 
By using modules, not only is site build time reduced but so is the exposure to risk for the constructors. And overall construction cost is reduced significantly. The standardised components allow easier assembly with the opportunity to exchange or add modules easily in the future. Lead times for design and fabrication are also brought down, so best advantage can be taken of existing periods of track access.