Case Study: Old Oak Common PSP – Safety-Critical Power for Rail Signalling
Client: Rail Infrastructure Contractor (Name withheld for confidentiality)
Location: Old Oak Common, London, UK
Company: Baldwin & Francis (B&F)
Timeframe:
- Kick-off Meeting: August 2024
- Delivery to Site: Early September 2025
Sector: Rail – Signalling Infrastructure
Project Summary
Baldwin & Francis was commissioned to design, manufacture, and deliver a bespoke Power Supply Point (PSP) for the Old Oak Common rail signalling upgrade. The PSP was engineered to support safety-critical signalling systems, ensuring uninterrupted power delivery in a high-reliability environment. The design was based on proven architecture from the Ladbroke Grove project, tailored to meet the client’s specific operational and spatial requirements.
Scope of Work
The scope included the full supply and integration of:
- 1 off PSP housed in a 2-room ISO-style container (11.0m × 2.8m × 2.8m)
- Forced air ventilation system
- B&F 400V/650V switchboard with 6 feeders
- Camlin PMS unit for power monitoring
- UPS auto bypass panel
- RS4 Tier 2 insulation monitor
- CDS data logger
- Traction incomer with ISO685 + FP200W insulation monitor
- 2 × 160kVA 400V/650V transformers
- 160kVA traction UPS with open battery racks and 15-minute autonomy
- Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) at B&F Sheffield
- Delivery to site, Site Acceptance Test (SAT), and half-day training
Design Standards and Safety Focus
- Engineered to meet Rail safety standards and BS EN 50129 for safety-related electronic systems.
- Integrated insulation monitoring, redundant UPS systems, and fail-safe bypass mechanisms.
- Containerised housing designed for fire safety, thermal management, and electrical isolation.
- All components selected for low fault probability and high MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures).
Quality and Robustness
- Manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 certified processes.
- Full function testing during FAT, including fault simulation and system diagnostics.
- Ruggedised housing with forced ventilation, shock resistance, and IP-rated enclosures.
- Open battery racks designed for thermal dissipation and ease of maintenance.
Outcome
The PSP was delivered on schedule and passed all acceptance tests with zero defects. The system is now in place and will provide reliable power to critical rail signalling infrastructure at Old Oak Common.
Client Impact
- Enhanced safety and operational reliability for rail signalling systems.
- Reduced downtime risk through robust design and redundancy.
- Streamlined installation and commissioning thanks to modular containerised design.
- Positive feedback from client engineers on documentation, training, and system performance
