News
New Points Switches
An exciting day with our new A switch arriving at Infinity Training, many thanks to all those who helped to make this happen for us. The new switch will be controlled by our RRI interlocking and powered by an IBCL, providing additional courses for our delegates to attend and practice, enhancing their existing skills.
This is our third full switch at our training centre and complements the existing A switch which is powered by Clamplocks and D switch which has tubular stretcher bars and an HW point machine.
Latest news for SMTH testers
If you are an SMTH Tester, your existing SMTH card will not be valid on the Network Rail Infrastructure from 1 March 2025 when all valid SMTH competences are being migrated to Sentinel.
If your last SMTH recertification was before 1st October 2024 you will be required to sit Network Rail’s on-line transitional test.
A Signalling Maintenance Testing Handbook – Transition Assessment must be successfully completed to ensure you remain eligible to work on the rail infrastructure.
From 1 March 2025 SMTH signalling competences will only be recognised on your Sentinel card or app. You will also be required to hold a valid Authority to work from your employer showing all the valid equipment specific competences that you hold. Without these you are not permitted to test signalling equipment trackside.
Those who completed their SMTH Recertification from 1st October 2024 with a Network Rail approved training provider do not require the transitional test, your results will be uploaded to Sentinel via your training provider.
What you need to do next......
If you require the transitional test and have not received your individual logon details or for further information on taking the assessment please email: SignallingCompetencyFramework@networkrail.co.uk as soon as possible.
If you are unsure what to do, please contact us info@infinity-training.co.uk for support and we can advise you on the options that you have.
We have been busy making improvements to our website to make it mobile friendly and creating a new online booking system.
Delegates are now able to view courses and book their place on courses online. This provides an around the clock system which is available to all our delegates who we know work days, nights and weekends, often outside of office hours.
We hope that our delegates will find our new system user friendly and provide all the information they need for their training with us.
Infinity Training has been working with Network Rail assisting in the standardisation of SMTH training material for both initial and recertification courses.
This course material has been generated to align the SMTH training and assessments for both contractors and Network Rail.
Trainers and assessors have attended Network Rail training centres to ensure the assessments are being delivered in a standard, fair way across the industry.
It is planned that in September competencies for SMTH will be added to Sentinel allowing companies, agencies and Network Rail to then be able to view the competencies on Sentinel which will show a level 2 - Requires mentorship or level 3 - Competent.
Our trainers have been approved by Network Rail and are here to assist in the transition of the training and assessment of the SMTH.
Should you require advice on whether your delegates need a refresher course or will be able to just attend a recertification then please email info@infinity-training.co.uk
At Infinity Training we are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant which is a pledge by businesses and organisations to support the armed forces community. This includes current and former members of the military, their families and reservists.
As a training company, our delegates are the principle focus of our business. Infinity Training is committed to addressing the needs of each of our delegates including members of the armed forces community, who often face barriers in transitioning back into civilian life. Signing the pledge is our way of showing our intention to assist our delegates in overcoming these barriers.
To date we have already assisted armed forces personnel to gain valuable qualifications which have lead to many of them gaining employment within the railway industry.
Over the last few months we have been installing an EBI 400 track circuit. Using the equipment for our first course in March provided our delegates with excellent hands on experience of setting up the track circuit from scratch.
The new course is an EBI400 conversion course from EBI200 which we are hopeful will assist our delegates with understanding the differences between the track circuits, how to set them up in station and open line areas and how to complete the full test to the required specification.
We will be closed on Thursday 2nd June and Friday 3rd June to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. We hope that all our customers and suppliers have a well deserved break or if you are working keep safe.
If you are interested please email: info@infinity-training.co.uk with your cv.
At Infinity Training we have been busy installing a new AC track circuit in our training centre to show single rail and double rail types. Our double rail track circuit with impedance bonds butt up to the single rail type allowing us to show staggering of the track circuits. Our equipment also has a variety of extras built in allowing us to simulate a selection of faults which is ideal for delegates to practice on.
To date we have already delivered three successful courses where delegates have been taught about the complexities of these track circuits. If you are interested in attending an AC track circuit course or any of our other training courses please email info@infinity-training.co.uk
Infinity Training have been preparing for our first Point Fittings course. Our already installed ‘D’switch has been prepared with the addition of a supplementary back drive and across both our points a variety of standard and adjustable stretcher bars are available for delegates to utilise.
During the course delegates obtain an excellent understanding of a variety of drawings and handbooks associated with point fittings, remove, refit and carry out fault finding on a variety of mechanical components and adjust the points and supplementary back drive to gauge.
Following the postponement of our training courses due to the COVID19 lockdown we are pleased to announce that we are now open for business again.
We have been busy during the lockdown preparing our training centre to provide social distancing throughout the building, creating cleaning stations and carrying out a detailed risk assessment to ensure the safety of our delegates, staff and visitors.
Our maximum class sizes have been reduced and we have created additional seating areas inside and out to provide plenty of space for delegates to relax at break times.
We now look forward to welcoming delegates back to help everyone return to a more normal life.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
Infinity Training and Assessing have decided to temporarily postpone our technical training courses and assessments due to the Coronavirus situation. As a responsible training provider we feel that immediate action is required for the safety of our customers and staff. New dates will be planned in when it is safe to do so.
Any office based work will still be carried out as required and we will be working from our office at home. If you need to speak to us please call 07845 056558.
We hope that our customers understand that the decision we have made is in the best interests of both our customers and staff.
Over the last few months Infinity Training has been installing two new EBI200 track circuits. The newly installed track circuits are designed to assist signalling maintenance testers and fault finders with their work trackside.
The equipment has been installed with a variety of hidden faults which can be switched on and off to provide fault finders a challenging practical experience. Our first successful course was delivered in February and was a great success with excellent feedback on our facilities and training.
During the last year Infinity Training has assessed in excess of 350 railway signalling engineers for a variety of installation and SMTH competences. In addition to this we have completed over 150 IRSE logbook reviews providing delegates with suggested improvements and positive feedback.
Our continuous review of SMTH logbook slips also assists in providing standardisation across the railway industry and provides individuals with the opportunity to discuss technical problems and issues that have occurred and how these can be prevented.
Infinity Training is also proactively feeding information back to Network Rail where errors or omissions have been found within standard documents and we gratefully receive all the latest Technical Instructions and Noticeboards keeping us up to date with technical issues.
During December Infinity Training delivered Reed Track Circuit courses to refresh existing signalling engineers and provided a full initial course for SMTH Team Leaders for the Paddington works over the Christmas Blockade.
At short notice we powered up our old style Reed Track Circuit to allow delegates time to refresh themselves on equipment which is not used as much as it used to be. Delegates were provided with full training, practice testing and a variety of faults providing them with confidence on equipment they had not touched for many years.
Forward thinking employers also requested additional SMTH testers to attend the full Reed Track Circuit course as well allowing them to assist during the blockade and providing more engineers for future Reed track work.
A year 12 student from Tendring Technology College joined us for a job shadowing day. Infinity Training were delighted to show the young student how the operation of the training centre worked. During her day she assisted in a variety of roles including recording and processing purchase invoices, preparing invoices, preparing course notes and classrooms for the training sessions on the following day and she was even shown how to maintain and test some equipment in our practical training area. Towards the end of her day, we asked her what the most memorable part of the time she spent with us was and she replied that she enjoyed learning about the financial side of the business and how the accounting software works.
Infinity Training enjoyed a busy start to 2019 with customers planning and booking courses through until the end of this year. Our successful start has allowed us to expand our training school with new equipment to broaden the technical courses that we are able to offer. Our first successful HVI track circuit course was delivered in March with a variety of customers booking a further four courses throughout this year.
Our fully refurbished building has taken four months to complete and it includes a new design to our reception area and an extended classroom. Already our delegates are benefiting from more space and a cleaner fresh environment to enjoy.
We thank all our customers for their understanding while the building work was being completed and we hope you now enjoy the new surroundings.
Infinity Training continues to listen to its customers needs and is now starting to expand its indoor training area for a variety of signalling and technical training and assessments needs.
The equipment will also provide delegates with an enhanced, realistic insight into a variety of problems and issues they may experience trackside assisting them with learning how to fault find and test in a logical and confident manner.
In addition to work experience trackside through their employers, they also attended technical training courses to understand the principles of Railway Engineering to complete their technical certificate plus the well known industry courses to assist them trackside.The apprentices now have excellent opportunities within the industry with the majority receiving offers of full time employment within the industry.
Infinity Training have recently purchased additional rail equipment including a DV switch, a technician panel and a further two location cases ready for our new points layout which will be installed in the New Year.
Due to a big increase in customer demands we are investing in our training centre to provide a broader range of equipment for our delegates to practice on. We already have several live location cases of various ages providing delegates with excellent examples of trackside equipment; the new installations will be concentrating on clamplocks, HW2000 point machines and HVI track circuits.
All our courses are delivered by railway signalling professionals with in excess of 30 years experience in the railway industry; each delegate will be coached throughout the programme to meet the individual's needs ensuring maximum learning is achieved within the time frame.
The course has an excellent balance of theory and practical sessions where the delegate will be able to install equipment to the correct Network Rail standards, test it and power equipment to see its live operation.On successful completion of the course certification will be provided for each module which is recognised throughout the Railway Infrastructure.
Delegates are also provided with support and assistance in understanding the IRSE licensing scheme and given guidance on where to look for employment opportunities within the Industry.
Robbie Jackson has just successfully completed his Traineeship and will be working within the team to assist in installing points, signals and a variety of track circuits.
Robbie will also be completing a level 3 in Railway Signalling engineering and working trackside to fast-track his career within the industry.
During the traineeship the delegates completed a variety of Railway Signalling and Safety training courses which will help them in their future careers in the Railway Industry.
If your company is interested in taking on a trainee or apprentice to help grow your business please contact us at info@infinity-training.co.uk
Jaguar will be helping to extend and improve our training facility at Horsley Cross. Working closely with other railway providers Jaguar will also be gaining invaluable experience trackside in addition to being provided with many other training courses as a part of his apprenticeship.
We will now be providing the Signalling technical training for the apprentices over the next 12 months to assist them in securing long term careers in the Industry.
Any employers interested in taking on an apprentice in the future please contact us at info@infinity-training.co.uk. The next traineeship is programmed to start in September 2015.
Epps Training also kindly donated some signals and props which will be used at Infinity Training school in Horsley Cross.
On behalf of Waveney Sailability, we would like to thank you for your kind donation of £200 towards our funds for teaching disabled people how to sail at Oulton Broad, Lowestoft. We started our new sailing season yesterday when we had 50 disabled person taking to the water and thoroughly enjoying themselves in a fairly lively windy day. Thanking you once again for your contribution, which is very much appreciated.