Electrification: Catenary construction
Our experience
A policy of significant investments and acquisitions has enabled GCF to operate in the electrification segment with people, structures and advanced technologies, as well as incorporating and optimising experience gained over the years by sector leaders.
In the railway sector, as well as in urban transport (tram, trolleybus and metro), GCF - Generale Costruzioni Ferroviarie S.p.A. designs and installs, modernises or implements maintenance of:
• Electric traction lines:
construction, modernization and maintenance of conventional systems for slow lines (3 Kv DC) and High-Speed/High Capacity lines (25 Kv AC), with traditional copper cables and/or optical fibre
• Electric sub-stations and cabins:
for power conversion and/or transformation;
• Lighting and drive power systems:
in railway stations and stops, tunnels, pavements, metros.
Our philosophy
The production process starts off with design in our own Technical Office through to final testing of the entire system, providing customers with a single point of contact capable of coordinating all operational stages, from procurement to on-site construction.
Our human resources and operating machines (concrete-mixing train, overhead wiring train, motorised pantograph wagon) the use of innovative processes and products (fixed catenary, omnia railway shelf) means that GCF Electrification is able to manage complex projects and operate on competitive levels.
Our competitive edge
- More than 200 highly specialised operators.
- Our own Technical Design Office.
- Impressive fleet of high-performance machinery.
- Flexible and fast operations.
- Process and product innovations.
A GCF site: the construction of the new Electric Traction on the bridge of Venice - Mestre
Venice-Mestre Station, Italy
In the period January 2006-April 2013, GCF - Generale Costruzioni Ferroviarie carried out for client ITALFERR the executive design and implementation work for electric traction and superstructures, as well as P.R.G. civil works, for Venice-Mestre Station, including the ET cabin and lighting and drive power systems, performed in functional stages linked with the new A.C.S. system.
Electrification works
- Electric traction in the scope of station gantries: new poles, crossbeams, anchors and insulators on poles, gantries and crossbeams, ET protection and return circuit, new 3 Kv and 10 Kv power catenary lines;
- Construction of an ET cabin: supply and installation of cabin electrical equipment, supervision, control and diagnostics systems, ASDE servos and remote control;
- Illumination and Drive Power: electrical cabins, plant, installation of power lines, ducts, connections and wiring, electrical control panels, transformers, lighting towers, floodlights, earth/ground and equipotential system.
Superstructure works
- Demolitions, extensions and adaptations of railbeds, construction of new railway lines, line doubling, modification of station tracks and connection areas, communications projects.
Ankara-Sincan line, Turkey
Construction works on a new line on the north side alongside the existing line between Ankara and Sincan (Turkey).
Work was carried out between April 2011 and January 2013 on behalf of TCDD (Turkish Railways) to adapt the line to high speed trains (160 km/h).
Ankara-Sincan: electrification
Electrification work on the new 1x25 kV line, comprising:
- excavation and casting of foundation blocks for about 700 supports;
- subsequent installation and equipping;
- installation of the 107 mm2 single-wire power contact line and a 120 mm2 load-bearing cable.
Ankara-Sincan: superstructures
Construction project for a new line also including infrastructure works (excavations, bridges, underpasses, drainage) and the superstructure (track construction, supply and installation of 59,945 m3 of ballast, installation of 24 points).
electrification Tangier-Marrakech line, Morocco
Morocco’s railway network is one of the most developed in Africa. Existing infrastructures include 2,067 km of tracks, of which 1,022 km electrified, but only 578 km is double track.
ONCF - the public company that manages the Moroccan Railways - recently launched two major projects for the construction of two high-speed lines for French-built TGVs.
Tangier-Marrakech: our site
GCF is working on the Ligne Atlantique - linking Tangier and Agadir by way of Kenitra, Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech - on renewal projects for the existing line with complete replacement of rails, sleepers and ballast, and the construction of the new OCL line signalling systems.
The upgraded Tangier-Casablanca line will be operational by 2018.
electrification Sarajevo-Bradina line, Bosnia
Site open since January 2015.
This project involves the entire Sarajevo-Bradina section on the Corridor V link between Sarajevo and Mostar.
Sarajevo-Bradina: the project
The executive project envisages the complete replacement of rails, sleepers and points, as well as the reclamation and restructuring of 19 bridges and 17 underpasses, ramps and other minor civil works.
The complete reconstruction of the OCL (Overhead Contact Line) is also envisaged along the entire route, in addition to civil and superstructure works in the Ivan Tunnel (3.2 km long).
The completion of these tasks is set for April 2016.
electrification Kosekoy-Gebze line, Turkey
The project involved the reconstruction and renewal of the double track Kosekoy-Gebze line as an integral and particularly important part of the Ankara-Istanbul high speed corridor.
In addition to complete full renewal of rails, sleepers and crushed stone, the new catenary system was installed, as well as the signalling and telecommunications plant.
Our partner companies - Salini-Impregilo and Kolin - implemented the civil works, infrastructures and drainage projects.
Kosekoy-Gebze: objectives achieved
In this way, the section was upgraded to a speed of 160 km /h - the standard defined by the European Community for trans-European freight networks, thereby consigning a safe and modern line to the Turkish Railways.
Overhead catenary construction: other projects
- Total renewal of Electric Traction Plant on the Brescia-Verona line section
Design and implementation of a new 540 mm2 overhead contact line catenary system for 3 kVdc lines and removal of the old plant. - Modernisation of plant at Verona Porta Nuova Station
Design and installation of the 440 mm2 overhead contact line catenary system on through tracks. - Milan Rogoredo Station
Redevelopment in accordance with planning regulation of Milan Rogoredo Station and the new Milan-Genoa line. - Extension of Milan Metro Line 3
Design, installation of plant and finishing works on the Maciachini-Comasina section of Milan Metro Line 3, including Dergano, Affori Centro, Affori FNM and Comasina stations. - Sambiase Sub-Station
Design, execution of total renewal works and upgrading of Sambiase SSE. - 90 EXPRESS Trolley-Bus
Design and installation of the electric traction plant for the 90 Express trolley bus line, Rome. - Safety work on the Frejus Railway Tunnel
Design, installation of safety lighting plant in the Frejus tunnel, Italian side.
