Fenix Rail Systems Successfully Commissions Signalling & Control System at Northampton Gateway Rail Freight Interchange Terminal (NRFI)

📍 Location: Northampton, UK
📅 Commissioned: Easter Bank Holiday Weekend, April 2025
🏗️ Delivered for: SEGRO
🔧 Principal Contractor: Winvic Construction

Fenix has successfully commissioned the complete signalling and train facility control system at the new NRFI over Easter, marking a major milestone in one of the UK’s most significant freight infrastructure projects.
The terminal, constructed by Winvic Construction for SEGRO, is scheduled to be fully operational by May 2025. Fenix played a critical role in the project’s success, delivering a comprehensive, safety-critical signalling solution designed to support efficient operations at the new terminal.

🚧 Appointed in June 2023
Fenix were tasked with designing, delivering, and commissioning the signalling and train facility control system across all engineering stages from ES4 to ES8. The project’s complexity, including the requirement for SIL4 compliant mainline signalling demanded a bespoke approach.
To meet these high safety standards, Fenix deployed a traditional route relay interlocking (RRI) system for the mainline areas and retained a SIL2 computer-based interlocking (CBI) within the internal facility. This hybrid architecture featured NR HW2121 point machines and Frauscher axle counters, all fully integrated to deliver seamless and reliable operation.

🖥️ Unified Control, Simplified Operations
One of the client’s key requirements was a single operator control interface. Fenix designed and delivered a unified Visual Display Unit (VDU) workstation capable of managing both the RRI and CBI systems. Despite the underlying technical differences, the user experience remains consistent and intuitive, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.

🛠️ Commissioned on Time
Fenix worked closely with stakeholders throughout late 2023 and early 2024 to finalise all operational and technical details. By the end of 2024, all components, design, procurement, installation, and testing were complete, with only final interface testing remaining.
Following the 2024/25 holiday break, rigorous testing resumed, culminating in the successful commissioning of all signalling systems and interfaces over Easter, exactly as scheduled.

✅ Future Ready Handover
In line with Fenix’s commitment to long term operational support.
The final delivery phase included:
Operational training
Detailed maintenance guidance
System handover briefings

“This project is a testament to what can be achieved through technical expertise, close collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. Delivering a hybrid signalling system of this complexity on time and to the highest standards is a proud achievement for all involved.”
Eddie Murphy - Operations Director at Fenix Rail Systems