PGGI’s service team provided a fast and responsive service in March 2020 after a catastrophic failure of a 25kV voltage transformer (VT) at Thingley Junction. This is a key 25 kV traction substation on the Great Western mainline (GWEP project) that runs between London and Cardiff. The failed transformer also damaged other equipment nearby.
In a fast turnaround effort led by PGGI’s Senior Project Engineer Scott Isaacs, the substation was back online within 10 days to avoid further damage and minimise disruption to service. The intervention forms part of a service support on the existing GWEP contract with Network Rail.
The PGGI team are responsible for maintaining traction power elements of the Great Western line within the Wales and Western region during the hand back stages. Speaking after the incident was resolved, Network Rail Infrastructure team were full of praise towards the PGGI team. Its Head of Engineering Simon Gardner and Programme Manager Sandy Dosanjh said: “The urgency with which they addressed the incident and the liaison between ABB and the manufacturer of the VT was nothing short of remarkable.”
Jay Mehta, ABB’s Rail Sector Manager in the UK, concurs: “As the substation serves one of Britain’s oldest and busiest railways, our operational support team must aim to ensure availability and reliability across Network Rail’s operational infrastructure at all times.” The route is also a vital link carrying key workers and freight between London and Wales during the current Covid 19 period.
ABB won the electrification back in 2014, delivered the £100 million contract for 30 traction substations and the electrical distribution control system, in partnership with UK Power Networks. The infrastructure provides traction power for rolling stock and was completed in 2019.
An important part of the project, delivered by PGGI, was Network Rail's own Rationalised Autotransformer Scheme (RATS) concept. This enabled it to reduce its project costs by reducing the number of high-value circuit breakers and replace them with less costly load break switches.
