2009-08-13 - Generating enough power for Wellington’s new trains took an important step forward recently when two 11kv cables were run through a tunnel dug carefully under seven operational rail lines.
An 80 metre tunnel was dug across Wellington rail yards to enable electricity supply to two new substations. ABB is providing power technology for
the eleven substations being built around the network to power the Matangi fleet of trains, which will start arriving from 2010.
ABB’s Operations Manager Paul Guy said that ABB’s works on the first five of the eleven substations are going relatively smoothly for this stage of the project, thanks hugely to the dedication and long hours put in by Andrew Beddard, Neil Wiggins, and Kevin Warlow. “The team have been great, including our Wellington based installation crew. They been working safely and tirelessly, seven days a week, since we started onsite in July. They have juggled many external and internal consultants and engineers, civil and electrical contractors, and numerous challenges presented to us every day. So far we have exceeded our customer’s expectations with regards to health and safety, no delays to the train service, and project delivery. The rubber really ‘hits the road’ when we commission the first two substations during the middle of next month. ABB’s strong global experience in rail electrification as well as our leading-edge technology is helping keep our works in line to be completed in July 2010”.
KiwiRail’s Wellington Region Rail Programme Director David Gordon said the new power supply will improve the reliability of services for train commuters.
“The new power supply isn’t just to accommodate the new trains and extend the reach of Wellington’s electrified rail system. This modern equipment will improve the reliability of the rail network by supplementing what we already have in place,” David Gordon said.
As part of ABB’s contract, the new substations will be fitted out with an 8.8 ton rectifier transformer which can increase or decrease the voltage of the current, and a 1.5 ton rectifier which will convert AC to DC power needed to run the metro trains.
The work is part of the Wellington Region Rail Programme, a series of improvements to the Wellington railway system that will give commuters more reliable passenger services. This is a joint initiative between the Greater Wellington Regional Council and KiwiRail (ONTRACK and Tranz Metro).
Similar tunnels have been dug to substations at Woburn and Ngauranga and this week ABB is running cables through to the substation at Silverstream, before moving on to Ngaio.