Firstco Limited complete Heathrow Express Control Room refurbishment (May 2006)

Firstco Limited, based in Paddington, London announce that they have completed the refurbishment of the Heathrow Express Control Room (HECR) after an extensive re-fit and relocation project.

The original control room had to be temporarily relocated due to the construction of a new multi-storey car park directly above the permanent facility.

The main challenge throughout the project was to ensure that Heathrow Express could continue to run a full revenue train service between the Heathrow terminals and London’s Paddington mainline station.

The first phase of the relocation required a fully operational temporary control room to be set up at the existing site of the backup control room. Sufficient space had to be created while maintaining the operational effectiveness of the backup facility. This was a small area which had to be shared with a BAA engineering department that first had to be moved out. Firstco needed to move and break down equipment to allow the old walls and cabling to be removed. Fibre optic cabling had to be carefully rerouted under the floor while equipment was relocated around the room. CCTV monitors were fitted, the operational backup facilities were moved to a new desk and all the systems installed and commissioned. Heathrow Express staff moved in to trial the room and this was successfully completed and accepted.

Once the car park was completed, the 2nd phase, the design and relocation to the site of the original control room, began.

The design for the new HECR had to be flexible, maintainable and above all future proof. Although most of the active systems remain unchanged Firstco have provided a new infrastructure with intrinsic enhancements to supersede the original components. The new system enables video, data, voice, PA, Radio and control functions to run over the same infrastructure. The displays are all LCD and the array features three 40” screens with HD capability. The control room now has access to 24 hour news channels, DAB radio, DVD and desks that allow the user to alter their ergonomic surroundings. A communications room within HECR has been constructed to enable the management of the active equipment and services in a professional manner. Even the security of the room was designed with the possibility that it would need to be upgraded in the future. Having completed the installation, the new control room was successfully trialled by Heathrow Express and operations were relocated to the new facility; the temporary room becoming the backup facility.

The new control room has been designed with one main objective in mind, to enable future enhancements to be made with the minimum of intrusion and disruption. Heathrow Express, by choosing Firstco, have a better control room on the surface with a far superior engine room below affording them the opportunity to lead the field in the near future.