Currently, a points failure means that trains are stopped until the problem is resolved, causing huge delays on the network. The aim of the Repoint project was to engineer out key failure modes, to facilitate improved performance; and engineer in redundancy, to improve reliability.

Repoint is a system with multi-channel redundancy which will continue to operate safely, and allow trains to pass, even when there is a fault in the system. This is achieved through three actuators operating in parallel meaning, should any one of them fail, the other two are there to keep the system operational and keep trains running.

The Repoint track switch will benefit rail passengers by reducing the number of delays and cancellations caused by switch failures. Maintenance is also safer and can be done at convenient times reducing risks for maintainers.

The approach was to rethink the concept of railway track switching to reduce the effect of failure through fault tolerant design. The aerospace and nuclear industries have developed systems that can continue to operate safely even when a failure occurs. The challenge was to apply this thinking to the railway track switch so that failure no longer resulted in disruption.

The work undertaken to date has been an investigation of the problem, development of a lab-scale concept demonstrator and lastly, the development of a full-scale demonstrator at Great Central Railway (GCR), Quorn and Woodhouse Station. The trial at GCR demonstrated that the Repoint concept works as intended with rail traffic. It was successfully proven that one or even two of the three actuators can be switched off (failed), and those remaining can operate the system.

To find out more, visit our dedicated Repoint site.