Reading Points Heating

Circa £1.2m

Great Western Railway (GWR)

Emeg Group was appointed by Great Western Railway (GWR) to design and install a points heating system at Reading Cow Lane Rail Depot. The project involved installing electrical heating element strips to automatically operated points throughout the depot and sidings, preventing snow and ice build-up during winter and ensuring reliable railway operations.

Delivered within a live operational railway environment, the scheme included full design, manufacture, installation and commissioning of the complete system, with all works completed on programme ahead of the winter season.

• Mains and sub-mains cabling
• Civil engineering works connecting into the existing network
• Live railway installation and commissioning
• Snow and ice protection for depot operations.

• Existing site surveys
• Electrical system design
• Control switchgear design and manufacture
• LV power distribution
• Transformer installation
• Mains and sub-mains cable design
• Civil engineering design coordination
• Installation management
• Testing and commissioning.

Working within a live operational railway depot required careful coordination with depot management to maintain safe working practices while avoiding disruption to daily operations. The programme also had to be completed within a tight winter delivery window so the system would be fully operational before freezing weather conditions.

The project successfully delivered points heating to 32 separate railway points, providing reliable protection against snow and ice throughout the winter months. Completed safely, on time and within a live railway environment, the installation strengthened Emeg’s long-standing relationship with Great Western Railway and included additional works supporting both GWR and Network Rail.

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