Construction near a railway. And 25kv.

[Ken H]

I have need to pass Bingley station at the moment.
I have noticed driving down the dual carriageway there is repairs being done to the main station building which is on the down side
Bingley is, of course 25kv electrified.

So what special measures are needed for construction near a live railway?
Do construction workers need to be rail certified?
What special measures to stop stuff being dropped on the railway?
Does the scaffolding need bonding to earth. Do all the tubes need bonding electrically to each other or do the clamps suffice?
Anything else?

 

[John Webb]

When the St Albans South box was being restored, the scaffolders were limited to using short scaffold poles and while the scaffolding was being erected or removed a Network Rail person was there overseeing the work. We were provided with information on how to contact both West Hampstead PSB and the electrical control for the line in case anything went wrong; I'm pleased to say it didn't!
We have an unusual clause in the box's lease from NR - we're not allowed to wave wet mops out of the windows because of the nearby 25kV!

 

[Bald Rick]

We have an unusual clause in the box's lease from NR - we're not allowed to wave wet mops out of the windows because of the nearby 25kV!

Dry mops ok?

 

[John Webb]

Dry mops ok?

Presumeably! We actually tend to use squeezable floor sponge-style mops these days as they are more convenient than old-fashioned mops.

 

[edwin_m]

If I recall correctly from a training course (not that I've ever done it myself), various precautions are needed near 25kV. This includes use of wooden ladders. If cutting a metal pipe or conduit parallel with the track, the two sides need to be linked by an electric cable first so no dangerous voltage can develop between them after they are separated. Isolation and earthing will also be needed if there is any risk of coming too close to the OLE.

Issues also apply during maintenance, for example windows on recent covered footbridges are likely to be of a type that can be turned round so the outside can be cleaned from inside. Even if there is an external walkway to clean fixed windows, these are likely to need an isolation.

 

[fwsmVor]

We have an unusual clause in the box's lease from NR - we're not allowed to wave wet mops out of the windows because of the nearby 25kV!

Why would anyone, signallers included, ever want to wave a wet mop out of the window? Is this some sort of legacy hand- mop-signal?

 

[Gloster]

Most signalmen liked or, at least, used to like to keep their signal boxes clean and highly polished. Some areas are best mopped before further work. In the first box I worked I was told on starting that the late turn signalman on a Saturday would expect to be able to see his face in the highly polished floor. Why anyone would want to do that, I know not, but each to their own.

 

[John Webb]

Why would anyone, signallers included, ever want to wave a wet mop out of the window? Is this some sort of legacy hand- mop-signal?

With St Albans South being preserved and open to the public, we need to wash the lino upstairs from time to time, particularly if it's been raining and there are wet/muddy footprints. And twice a year the floor is throughly washed and polished to ensure it's kept at its best.