25 years of Connecting the Underground

Theme: Unsung Heroes and Power to the People

A. Lockyear MSc, CEng, FIRSE

N. Basudev,

C. Pickett BEng (Hons), MIET

IRSE members will be familiar with the mechanics of the London Underground; its layout, stations, trains and, of course, the different signalling control systems that keep it operating safely and efficiently for millions of passengers.

This paper sets out to explore the other important technologies that, we propose, are of equal importance to the operation of this historic network, and the global city that it supports – London Undergrounds communications systems, and the vital operations that depend on them, every minute of every day.

Speakers

Andrew Lockyear has worked for Hitachi for 14 years and previously for Docklands Light Railway (DLR) as a signalling engineer. During this time Andrew has been recognised as a technical specialist in system integration for his work on the Four Line Modernisation Project (4LM), the Jubilee and Northern Line Upgrade Programme (JNUP), the DLR 3 Car upgrade programme. In the past year Andrew has worked on the Connect Renewal Operational Network (RON) project responsible for system engineering deliverables.

Neel Basudev – Technical Solution Manager (Voice & Data). A recognised Hitachi GTS Specialist in Integrated Communications Systems with 30+ years experience of working on bids and programmes delivering a broad range of railway-based telecommunications projects in Main Line Rail, Urban Rail and Light Rail environments. A member of the original Connect engineering team responsible for the ATM network solution and now Project Design Authority for development of the RON technical solution. 

Colin Pickett has worked for Hitachi Rail GTS for 29 years since joining the British Rail Management Training scheme from University. Colin started his career within the Radio Network Planning group managing the Railtrack National Radio Network, and has subsequently developed as a Systems Engineer working on projects across the GTS portfolio, latterly specialising in major first in class systems integration including as CEM for Network Rails Traffic Management and Online Key Management System projects, and engineering manager for Class 43 ETCS fitment delivered to Porterbrook. Colin has recently taken up position as Project Design Authority for the Connect Project.