Case Study: Relocatable Equipment Building For West Somerset Railway

After an initial consultation and successful tendering period, RSP completed a thoroughly enjoyable and scenic site visit. We worked with West Somerset Railway to produce an innovative solution to design and install some new free standing equipment racks on the ground floor of the historic Minehead signal box and to supply a brand-new Relocatable Equipment Building (REB) to house the level crossing control equipment.

What Is An Relocatable Equipment Building REB?

REB or Relocatable Equipment Building is a steel framed, composite clad building that can be moved via crane or HIAB and is specifically built to house electrical and electronic equipment that controls the railway. These buildings can come in a variety of sizes and be configured in many ways.

REB Design Phase

After the initial site survey, our IRSE-qualified signalling designers set to work. First, using Solidworks 3D CAD modelling to verify the free-standing rack concept would be viable as we had to try and install two modern equipment racks into the small room under the operating floor of the historic lever frame Minehead Signal Box.

With the 3D modelling complete we set to work using Microstation 2D software to produce full equipment rack and Level Crossing REB wiring designs in accordance with all the latest Network Rail standard.

REB Manufacture Phase

For the Seaward Way level crossing a 2.4m x 6m building was supplied complete with internal lighting, fire alarm and air-conditioning. The building was split into two rooms with an entrance door at each end of the building. The first room was the main equipment room with the second room being solely for batteries which would provide emergency power to the level crossing.

RSP used a Tyrone Fabrications Ltd (TFL) REB. We have worked closely with TFL over the years to develop a holistic REB solution whereby cable entry points, ceiling lights and ancillaries like; air conditioning, fire alarm and power distribution are all optimally placed to align with the final signalling equipment installation.

REB Build And Test Phase

The build part of all our projects always starts the same way, with what we call “First Fit”. This is the mechanical element whereby all bar works, fixings and extras like lights and heaters are assembled and aligned ready for “Final Fit”.

Using calibrated tools and working in accordance with the bespoke drawings produced by our design team our IRSE qualified installers  undertake “Final Fit” installing all the equipment and wiring. The free-standing equipment racks were built on our production shop floor whilst the Seaward Level Crossing REB was fitted out within the secure compound of our premises here at Saltash.

Once both the equipment racks and REB were built, they were fully inspected and tested by our IRSE qualified Testing team.

The Minehead Signal Box racks were delivered by 2 of our production team and positioned on site within the signal box before being handed over to the West Somerset Railway team who undertook the final on-site connection and commissioning works.

The Seaward Way Level Crossing REB was collected from our premises and delivered to site via HIAB lorry by our delivery partners Newman Haulage who offloaded it onto the concrete base that had been installed by WSR.