173 Railpucks illuminate 600 metres of pathway at Vlissingen Station

Railway lighting across two pathways 

The new railway lighting covers two pathways with a combined length of approximately 600 metres. The 173 Railpucks are distributed along the route to achieve the required lighting level across the walking area. 

The project specification requires 10 lux with a uniformity of 0.25. Installed in the web of the rail, the Railpucks provide grazing light from a low position and direct it along the pathway. The available power is therefore used exactly where visibility is required. 

The light stays close to its working area. A useful quality beside the railway track, and particularly appropriate at a location like Vlissingen. 

Two power supply pits serve the installation, while eight sensors are evenly distributed along the route. Together, they form a compact lighting system covering the full length of both pathways. 

Modern railway lighting at a station with history 

Vlissingen Station has more than a little railway history in its ballast. The current station building dates from 1950 and was designed by railway architect Sybold van Ravesteyn. Since 2010, the building has been protected as a Dutch national monument. 

That is probably enough history for one lighting project. The station is quite capable of telling the rest itself. 

The task for the lighting is more practical. It needs to provide clear visibility along the pathway while fitting naturally into the railway environment. 

This is where lighting from the web of the rail makes sense. Railpuck keeps the light at walking level and directs it along the path. The architecture can take care of making an impression. 

Railpuck has other work to do. 

2.8 watts per Railpuck 

One figure stands out in this installation: power consumption. 

Each Railpuck uses 2.8 watts. Across 173 luminaires, that adds up to 484.4 watts of total luminaire power for approximately 600 metres of illuminated pathway. 

The low power requirement comes from placing the light close to the surface where it is needed. Grazing light travels along the pathway from a low angle, providing targeted visibility without flooding the wider area with light. 

Conventional railway lighting often starts higher up. Railpuck approaches the same problem from rail level. 

Sometimes a lighting problem improves considerably when you lower your point of view. 

Designed around real railway work 

Railpuck is installed directly in the web of the rail, keeping the system close to the track and the installation process compact. Heavy equipment stays out of the equation. 

Cabling forms part of the system and runs along the rail, allowing the route to be installed without extensive excavation. That matters at railway locations where access and available working time have a habit of influencing the schedule. 

Installation can also take place without de-energising the rail. That reduces the amount of work surrounding the actual installation. 

Every task removed from the planning is one less task trying to get back into it later. 

Railpuck at Vlissingen Station 

The installation at Vlissingen shows what targeted railway lighting can achieve at walking level. Across two pathways, 173 Railpucks illuminate approximately 600 metres with a combined luminaire power of 484.4 watts. 

The lighting remains low to the ground and focused on the pathway, allowing the surrounding station environment to retain its own character. 

That seems particularly fitting at Vlissingen Station. 

The station can be monumental. 

The power consumption has little reason to follow.