Network Rail TPCMS

Approach / Solution

• Migration Delivery & Site Integration:
  • Delivered workstation upgrades and managed controlled transition from V3 to V5 for testing activities, followed by safe reversion at the end of the test window.
  • Integrated 5 sites directly and supported a further 7 sites during rollout, assisting ECOs with operation of the upgraded system and building operational familiarity.
  • Cross-referenced legacy and upgraded system behaviour to confirm expected operation and identify variances.
• Root Cause Analysis & Technical Troubleshooting:
  • Replicated issues in a controlled reference environment with appropriate logging measures in place.
  • Used Windows logging and application-specific diagnostic tools to trace faults across multiple log sources and system layers.
  • Researched low-level OS behaviour associated with affected features to determine true root cause rather than treating symptoms.
  • Diagnosed, recommended, and implemented fixes for complex issues involving interaction between the TPCMS application, Windows OS, and configuration or hardware layers.
• Testing, FAT & Defect Management:
  • Acted as lead test engineer for over and back testing, verifying that the system could safely control traction power and provide correct indications and notifications to ECOs.
  • Performed software Factory Acceptance Testing on the TPCMS front end ahead of wider deployment.
  • Updated test documentation, logged defects, managed them through to closure, executed tests, and completed sign-off activities.
• Change Governance, Tooling & Strategy:
  • Assessed remediation options through risk analysis, selecting the approach with the highest probability of success and the lowest risk of negative impact.
  • Drafted and presented change notes to the Change Advisory Board, gaining approval from Telent and Network Rail before implementation.
  • Wrote the V5.1 migration strategy, using live rollout experience, defect trends, and testing outcomes to support safer future deployment.
  • Developed a bespoke registry editing tool to enforce consistency and safely roll out printer configuration registry edits, reducing user error and preventing critical configuration faults.

Site Delivery:

• Integrated 5 sites directly and supported a further 7 sites across the national rollout.

Defect Resolution:

• Closed 30 defects through structured root cause analysis, controlled testing, and assured change implementation.

Faster Acceptance:

• Early defect detection and closure improved deployment confidence and helped accelerate client acceptance.

Operational Assurance:

• Delivered over and back testing and front-end FAT activities, helping confirm safe control of traction power assets and reliable operator interaction.

Risk Reduction:

• Reduced configuration risk by introducing a tooling-based approach to registry edits, improving consistency and preventing critical errors.

Expanded Technical Ownership:

• Progressed from workstation upgrade delivery into a trusted technical role covering troubleshooting, testing, change implementation, site integration, and migration strategy.

Key Technologies & Methodologies

• Traction Power Centralised Management System (TPCMS)
• SCADA migration and operational assurance
• TPCMS V3, V5 and V5.1 migration planning
• Windows OS logging and low-level behaviour analysis
• Application diagnostics, log correlation, and root cause analysis
• Controlled reference environment replication
• Over and back testing, FAT, defect tracking, and test documentation
• Change notes, CAB presentation, and deployment governance
• ECO operational support and system familiarisation
• Registry-based tooling and configuration control