Section Activities

A round up of recent activities in our Sections

AS PUBLISHED IN The Journal April 2018 Volume 136 Part 2 Sections

BIRMINGHAM

CROYDON & BRIGHTON

DARLINGTON & NORTH EAST

EDINBURGH Our online events calendar holds all GLASGOW of our Section meetings.

IRISH

LANCASTER, BARROW & CARLISLE You’ll also find full contact details on LONDON our website.

MANCHESTER & LIVERPOOL

MILTON KEYNES

NORTH WALES

NOTTINGHAM & DERBY

SOUTH & WEST WALES

THAMES VALLEY

WESSEX

WEST OF ENGLAND

WEST YORKSHIRE

YORK SECTION ACTIVITIES

lighting Towers that sprang up on the railway organisation. On one occasion, John was landscape during the modernisation days of called into to record Pickfords moving the A round up the 1960s and 70s. Dickens Inn from one end of St. Catherine’s Dock in London to the other. Photographers were based at the regional of recent offices and in the various railway workshops A less glamorous assignment, but nonetheless which were around at that time. John was fascinating (and unnerving) was recording called in to take pictures of work in progress on the water jets spraying out of the brickwork in activities in new trains and then at their launch. Abbotscliffe Tunnel. This required elaborate lighting to ensure a clear shot could be On some occasions, it was just a case of recorded. Works for the opening of the our Sections. being in the right place at the right time. On Channel Tunnel including over bridge deck his way to another job in Gloucester he was raising and tunnel floor lowering provided a lot able to get in position on a signal gantry at of work in the early 1990s. Reports may be abbreviated for Swindon station just as the prototype Advance publication in the Journal. Full Passenger Train (APT) drew up beside the One of John’s last jobs for BR in 1995 was to versions can be downloaded prototype High Speed Train (HST). This photo record the new stock for the Waterloo and City has appeared in many publications but like line. from our website: much of John’s work it simply says under the photo “Copyright BR”. Tim Kendell concluded the evening by www.thepwi.org/technical_hub/ proposing a vote of thanks for a very John’s work was to portray the modern image interesting and informative talk. section_activities of the railways and many photo shoots were undertaken on trains and in stations for EDINBURGH CROYDON & BRIGHTON advertising campaigns. However, at the end of the 1960s John was able to get some shots of 1st December 2017 14th November 2017 the last days of steam. Eden Mill Technical Tour Copyright BR John Goss Royal occasions were an opportunity for John The Edinburgh section travelled to to be called in, not particularly to take a picture Guardbridge, to visit the Eden Mill Brewery for Tim Kendell the Section Vice Chairman of the Queen, but rather to take a picture of the annual social technical tour. introduced John Goss, an old friend to many in whoever the Queen was meeting! Hoverspeed the room to present his paper “Copyright BR”. and Sealink provided opportunities for trips The section was welcomed by the brewery across the sea but the photographer usually where the host provided a brief history of the John commenced his career on the railways had to find his own accommodation rather site. The brewery itself is set on the banks of in 1965 as one of the band of official railway than enjoying a plush all expenses paid and the river Eden estuary at Guardbridge, near St photographers, of around 70. He started in arrangements made trip. Andrews and has had a long history of brewing the Western Region photographic office at and distilling. For most of the 19th century, Paddington taking very few photographs but Many unusual assignments came along; for the Haig family operated a whisky distillery printing many. Opportunities soon increased example, Pickfords was part of the British at Guards Mill. In 1860, they started distilling to get out on the railway taking pictures from Transport Commission and therefore came whisky elsewhere in Fife and turned the site a wide variety of ingenious locations including under the organisations covered by the BR into a brewery and paper mill. The brewery many at the top of the substantial number of publicity unit which funded the photographic closed in 1882 with the last brewery in nearby

EDINBURGH SECTION Former section secretaries Gordon McRae and Alan Morrison; along with Mark Taylor proudly accepted the Syd Smith golden Pandrol trophy

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St Andrews closing soon after in 1902. Finally, and general railway round, along with a good Network Rail quickly assembled a the paper mill closed over 100 years later in mix of general knowledge and the rather tricky multifunctional team including design 2008. question of what do the cumulative sum of all consultants Tony Gee associates and the numbers on a roulette wheel add up to? framework contractor Costain to assess the Eden Mill is now a specialist independent After a slow start, the team “Tamsens scale of the damage and the feasibility of repair microbrewery and distillery located on a Threesome” came back to steal the trophy from solutions. 38-acre site owned by the University of St the other two teams due to a very good score Andrews. Brewing restarted in July 2012 and in the Track technical section. Former section Detailed records of the 150 year old then in 2014 Eden Mill became Scotland’s first secretaries Gordon McRae and Alan Morrison; construction were very limited therefore combined brewery and distillery when they along with Mark Taylor proudly accepted the intrusive site investigation and archive began the production of Scotch whisky and gin. 2018 title. research of the sea wall was required which revealed that the track was actually supported Looking to the future, Eden Mill have plans for 1st February 2018 by a timber viaduct. a £4 million expansion project in Guardbridge Dover Shakespeare Seawall set to see the historic former paper mill Alan Ross, Director Route Sponsorship, It further revealed that in 1927 a retaining wall buildings refurbished to become Eden Mill’s Network Rail nearly 10m high and 1km long, back filled with new home – allowing them to increase their local chalk and restrained by bull head rail ties production of gin, beer and whisky, and create Alan started the evening by providing a had been retrospectively added to sustain the more innovative and pioneering products, and background to the Dover Shakespeare sea wall timber viaduct. It was clear the strong seasonal retain space for further expansion. reinstatement project when he was Director tide mixed with some exceptional weather had Route Asset Management for South East resulted in a loss of some 3.5 metres of beach 11th January 2018 England. depth in a matter of days. Although Network AGM and Technical Quiz Rail owns the beach from the high water mark, In line with the start of many stories, “it was access to the lower sections to transport The evening then progressed onto the annual Christmas eve” but on this occasion the track personnel and carry out engineering activities quiz with three teams competing for the Syd patroller identified a defect on Christmas Eve during the 2 x 4 hour daily tide windows Smith golden Pandrol trophy. Rose Smith, 2015 that led to the closing of the Folkestone required consent from the government the wife of the late Syd Smith, who were both to Dover rail route for nine months. Whilst authority. historically regular attendees at many national affecting the main A20 road directly above PWI events sadly passed away just before where 20,000 trucks traverse, access to the Within days, rock armour was ordered and Christmas 2017. In a strange coincidence, Shakespeare beach, where many channel sheet piles prepared for installation. Due to her funeral was held on the same day as the swimmers traditionally commence their non-availability of the larger 10 tonne rock 2018 annual quiz which was comforting for her passage was also affected. The scale of armour in the UK, this material had to be family to learn. this action was so significant that when shipped in from Norway. A peer review group “consultation with the PM” term was used of civil engineering experts were brought on Quiz master Russell Kimber provided six regarding the closure, this was not with board and reviewed nine different designs. rounds of subjects, including a track technical reference to the project manager. Replication of the original viaduct principle but

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85 SECTION ACTIVITIES

utilising 134 number 30 metre deep concrete activity, they developed their own brand of rail the Roadshow, which are to allow RSSB to piles supporting a new concrete deck was handling equipment. engage with the Infrastructure community, agreed as being the most suitable solution, provide an overview of what they do and quite a credit to the original Victorian design. This evolved into their TRT unit, which can speak about specific technical topics. One handle rails from the lineside, with no need for of the main parts of the presentation was the Additionally, a sea defence and rock-fall an OHL isolation and can be used in single ongoing opportunity being taken by RSSB to capture wall was also included and designed to line track possessions. The unit has been update Railway Group Standards and replace sustain 110 years of punishment from the sea. developed over the years and is now in its these with Railway Infrastructure Standards. To add to the regular engineering challenges, Mark 4 version, which can also be used to The standards cover all aspects of railways unexploded WWII bombs and protected sea transpose rail. There have been around 60 including gauging and clearances, station cabbages were included in the list of items units produced for these activities around design, automatic ticket gates and lighting, to the team had to manage in the very short the UK. Lately the New York Subway system name just a few. timescales. became aware of the unit and they have used it successfully. The unit can also handle S&C RSSB is the body which sets the standards Alan concluded the evening by saying that over units on site. after consultation with all stakeholders, and above the obviously huge amount of drive whether they are Track Renewal Companies and determination, Involvement of the local Other units which have been developed are or Maintainers, Train or Freight Operating MP to chair the task force along with a positive FLASS which can handle sleepers and rails Companies or Infrastructure owners. Within local communications approach proved to be for renewals activities. The normal work rate the standards there are mandatory rules, key to the success of delivering a two year for the unit is around 15 sections of track an standards directly quoted in TSIs, Official project in just nine months. hour. The units are usually used with a Unimog and Public standards and Company specific Road/Rail unit which provides traction on site. standards. The opportunity is also taken to GLASGOW SECTION Units have also been used successfully on embrace European standards. London Underground in both open and tunnel 24th October 2017 areas. Another system developed for New York RSSB’s R&D programme allows industry to Innovation in Rail Infrastructure. is a rail turning tool, which can flip rails upright work together to explore opportunities. The Colin Neil, Business Director, before recovery. Other units are also in the programme is driven by industry ideas and McCulloch Rail, Girvan course of development and these will be rolled needs. They deliver projects with the guidance out as and when they are approved for use. of industry and then work with industry to Colin set the scene of his presentation by ensure the insights make a real difference. advising that McCulloch Rail, was a family 21st November 2017 With the introduction of new trains due in Company and had been involved with rail in RSSB Roadshow Scotland in the next few years these are being Scotland for the last 25 years. John Campbell and Neil Gofton, RSSB evaluated for their suitability on the current network. Initially they were involved with removing The section were delighted to host the RSSB rails and Infrastructure from the lineside to Roadshow in Scotland. Setting the scene of SPARK is an online tool for the rail industry to a suitable recovery point. To assist with this the presentation John outlined the aims of find information on research and innovation

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86 SECTION ACTIVITIES

and is now available through the PWI website. gradually winding down production at Bathgate, and Network Rail. The works were completed It is a library of over 22,000 reports, papers transferring some of the original tooling or in seven key stages between December 2014 and test facilities, it is a way of finding people, replacing it with more modern tooling. This and October 2017, and the 340 metre [0.21 information, and how they are connected and was achieved between 2007 and 2011. Forbes mile] chord now allows trains to travel directly is a way of sharing and promoting research. finally explained the new manufacturing between Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria SPARK helps you to understand who is doing process at South Queensferry. stations through the connection of Castlefield what and where. Viaduct and Middlewood Viaduct. LANCASTER, BARROW & 20th December 2017 Two key aspects of the scheme were the Moving the foundry and casting crossings CARLISLE widening of the west side of Castlefield Viaduct for the future in order to accommodate the new construction Forbes Prentice, Progress Rail, South 14th November 2017 and the removal of part of the parapet of Queensferry Making Tracks Middlewood Viaduct at the tie-in point of the Daniel Pyke, British Steel new chord. In addition, the scheme features To set the scene of his presentation Forbes the crossing of the River Irwell by the 85 reminded us that only a few years ago, Daniel Pyke, Marketing Manager at British metre span long bowstring truss Network Arch the company were better known as Edgar Steel, delivered a highly interesting technical Bridge, which exhibits a weathering steel finish. Allen. A world-renowned name in railways. presentation on the manufacture of steel rails. It is now known as Progress Rail, part of the A detailed description of the presentation from As part of the permanent way works Caterpillar Group. For many years crossings October 2017 appeared under PWI Edinburgh Rhomberg IVES units were installed in order were manufactured in Bathgate at a facility section activities in The Journal in January to produce lengths of slab track, and V-TRAS which was too small for current day orders. 2018 (Volume 136 Part 1 page 86). At the end units in order to allow transition between The company took the decision to stay within of the presentation, there was a discussion lengths of slab and ballasted track. Zero West Lothian and build a new facility at South and questions on aspects of the material, and longitudinal resistance clips were used to Queensferry, not very far from the iconic Forth the vote of thanks to Daniel was given by John fix the rails to the slab, and other innovative Railway Bridge. Parker. features included the use of structural This is one of three sites in the UK to expansion switches and Teflon rail lubricant. manufacture crossings. It now also 9th January 2018 manufactures parts for the caterpillar tracked Ordsall Chord and Beyond In total 14 new point ends were installed in the excavators. Production is still mainly for the Graham Gornall, BAM Nuttall scheme. One consequence of the phasing of UK rail market, whether that is Network Rail the chord works with respect to the Liverpool or a light rail company. Although the site has Graham Gornall was the project manager for and Manchester electrification was the need recently sent crossings to Australia, Hong the Ordsall Chord improvement scheme. The to reinstall some overhead line masts from the Kong, China, France, Bulgaria and Spain. chord opened to traffic in December 2017, and latter scheme which had been installed only a it was constructed through a Pure Alliance short time previously. Eleven new signals and The transfer of production from Bathgate to agreement, the partners being Skanska BAM 46 new signal heads were installed as part of South Queensferry was achieved by opening Nuttall (major civil engineering works), Amey the works, and the signalling for the scheme the new site for manufacture in stages, then Sersa (permanent way), Siemens (signalling) is controlled through the Siemens Westlock

87 SECTION ACTIVITIES

interlocking system in the Manchester Rail day home of Norman Wisdom. It is a Crown The track is laid as unstressed long welded Operations Centre at Ashburys. Dependency with a favourable tax status and is rail with expansion switches every 150m which the inspiration for the Thomas the Tank Engine coincides with typical renewals lengths. The Graham also highlighted the future stories. railways are only operational between March improvements to the rail network which are and October, apart from Christmas Santa being carried out as part of the wider Great There are in fact 4 railways on the Isle of Man. Specials on the steam railway, so the main North Rail Project, of which the Ordsall The 3’ gauge Steam Railway from Douglas to renewal works take place over the winter shut Chord forms one element. The North West Port Erin, the 3’ gauge Manx Electric Railway down. Jeremy also described some of the Electrification Programme consists of the from Douglas to Ramsey via Laxey, and the novel engineering which they had introduced routes between Liverpool and Manchester 3’6” gauge Snaefell Mountain Railway from including the replacement of longitudinal and Wigan (already completed), Preston Laxey to the summit and the Douglas Bay timbers on Ballure Bridge with plastic to Blackpool, Manchester to Preston and Horse Tramway. In total this is approximately longitudinal bearers, the use of plastic sleepers Manchester to Stalybridge, while upgrading 60 miles of track all with their own distinct to replace wood in the heritage sensitive work to trans-pennine routes includes both characteristics and attendant issues. Jeremy station areas and some novel upgrades of their the lines between Manchester and Leeds has a staff of 15 plus 22 horses although there junction work. via Hebden Bridge (Calder Valley) and via is a debate whether these are classed as Huddersfield. employees or motive power units! There followed an interesting selection of questions which revealed more about the LONDON When Jeremy first moved to the isle over practicalities of living and working on the Isle of 7 years ago as the new track manager the Man. Adrian Barnes of the Bure Valley Railway 4th December 2017 infrastructure was unfortunately in a state (a 15” heritage railway) then proposed a vote of Permanent way on Isle of Man Railways of decline. It is worth noting that the Isle thanks drawing parallels to some of the issues Jeremy Reece lies outside of the jurisdiction of the ORR, which both railways face and the importance of the HMRI and the RAIB and had been sound engineering solutions. Jonathan Bray, Chair of the London Section, underfunded for some time. Jeremy’s first task welcomed everyone to the London Section was to fully understand the condition of the 8th January 2018 December meeting which this month included railways, make safe, arrest any further decline Acton Dive-under Christmas mince pies! He then introduced the and put together a strategy for the railways for Phil Holbourn, Project Engineer, Network speaker for the evening, Jeremy Reece of the the next 20 years. Jeremy stated how they Rail Department of Infrastructure of the Isle of Man, quickly decided to standardise on two rail remarking that they had both worked together types, BS80 section for the steam railway and Phil Holbourn gave an interesting and some 25 years ago when both graduates in the smaller S30 section for the rest. He worked entertaining presentation on the challenges Newport, South Wales. with the German manufacturer Leonhard and constraints which required significant Moll for the supply of new bespoke designed remodelling of Acton Yard to take place ahead Jeremy commenced his paper with a reminder concrete sleepers and has used a combination of the subsequent construction of the Acton of some of the iconic facts when one thinks of his own staff and local contractors to start Dive-under required to enable Crossrail trains of the Isle, including among others; the Laxey the task of relaying the track. travel to timetable without conflict from freight Wheel, the home of the TT race, the latter movements in and out of Acton Yard.

MANCHESTER & LIVERPOOL SECTION: Light maintenance depot design in the North West

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The initial track layout when Phil joined the With enabling near completion, the emphasis MANCHESTER & LIVERPOOL project had both the Up and Down Relief moved to the design and installation of the Roads passing over the section of track where Acton Diveunder. The proposed entrance 18th January 2018 the Diveunder needed to be located. These alignment was a 1:40 down, 3600m 4.58 VC Light maintenance depot design in the roads serve Acton Yard which is the main followed by an exit alignment of 1:50 up. North West aggregate delivery depot for London and has typically 60 freight train movements a day. The design speed is 90mph and also some Les provided an overview of the North West horizontal reverse curves with RoCC near the Depots and Stabling Strategy project 2008 to Therefore, given that the Acton Yard facilitates maximum. On the uphill gradient, a signal is 2017, providing the background and context to many building projects in London with located ahead of a turnout capable of 75mph. the 7 No. North West depot intervention sites. materials, withdrawing the yard from use or Given the challenging design geometry and The presentation also tackled the challenges restricting service to it was not acceptable. projected rates of ballast degradation were in designing the Depot layout explaining the anticipated to be higher than usual, slab track various requirements and activities undertaken Therefore, the initial stages of the project was a preferred solution. Given that alignment within light maintenance depots, including were about shifting the Relief roads generally installation accuracies of +/-2mm were required carriage washing, fuelling, CET, tanking, north and moving key junctions in the throat of top down construction was selected. cleaning and how these activities inform the the Yard to open up the space to commence layout design. the dig for the Diveunder whilst ensuring the Considerations for maintainability included continuance of services in and out of Acton modelling settlement of transitions; phased The presentation provided a useful insight into Yard. After 18 episodes of staging works the transitions have been implemented with mats the special design considerations of permanent dig for the Diveunder could commence. of various stiffness to enabling tamping, ensure way for depots, including siding spacings, track that managing and removal of rail defects geometry, different forms of track containment Other enabling works which posed significant could be facilitated in the design and also rail slab, aprons, complex S&C layouts such as challenges were the diversion of an existing stressing and tamping in the future. tandem units and scissors, plain line track and drainage pipe from the Central Line located buffer design. adjacent to Network Rail and undertaking a Considerations for performance included rail redesign and installation of a significant buffer creep, modelling using Track Ex to assess 15th February 2018 stop required on a shunting road on the West likelihood of RCF. Trial installations were Extreme Weather and Climate Change of the site which could carry fully laden freight undertaken to ensure that construction Rob Cummings, Seasonal performance trains which has restricted overrun to Central techniques could be met prior to main site pour. improvement manager, Northern Line in the revised layout. To manage drainage a significant accutation Rob Cummings has first-hand experience in The site location of the Eastern Headshunt tank was built to collect rainfall run off on the dealing with the changing weather patterns buffer was formerly an Acton signal box and slab. Phil brought his presentation to a close and how it affects the running of the network significant difficulties emerged in identifying with a short quiz on asset degradation and foul throughout all seasons. The presentation redundant and in service cabling. ups. started with historical events and why during the earlier years of the railway adverse weather may have affected the network less due to less

89 SECTION ACTIVITIES

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electrification and sturdier rolling stock and and manage the risk which has been created North Wales Branch PWI Meeting went all the way through to recent events such in doing so. John pointed out that standards 18th January 2018 as Eden Brow and the severe flooding in the are managed by RSSB committees made up Mail Rail: London Post Office Railway North and the cost and impact it had on the of cross industry representation – they are Alasdair Roberts, Track Systems UK timetable. industry standards not ‘RSSB’ standards. The certifi ed & proven locking nut for jointed track When a deviation is applied for, applicants Alasdair described how the Post Office Railway NORTH WALES should provide clear and concise information. opened in 1927, carrying letters and parcels A photograph or sketch is often better than A1 along the 6.5 miles of track from Paddington to 14th September 2017 detailed drawings. the Eastern District PO at Whitechapel; serving Extreme Weather and Climate Change the main sorting offices along the route. Rob Cummings, Seasonal performance John finished with a review of the work which improvement manager, Northern had been done around platform heights and The tracks run in a twin bore tunnel with stepping distances, outlining the various single bores diverging at each station. 1 in 20 This talk was described by the West Yorkshire footstep and platform positions and the inter- gradients in and out of each station were used Section in the November 2016 edition of The relationship between them. for acceleration and braking. The plan had Journal and so will not be expanded upon here. been to build additional spurs but these were 9th November 2017 never constructed. The railway was eventually 12th October 2017 Track Engineer Perspective of the Ordsall closed in 2003, with high operating costs cited The role of the RSSB Chord Project as the primary driver. John Campbell, Professional Head of Matt Benson, Senior Project Engineer, Infrastructure, RSSB Network Rail He continued by explaining how the 2ft narrow gauge driverless railway carried trains John started his presentation with a short video Matt began by describing the drivers behind at speeds of up to 40mph using 440v DC, explaining the role of the RSSB in drawing the scheme: a direct link between Manchester derailments were common. Watertight doors together the industry to continually improve Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly; increased positioned throughout the system act as flood Health and Safety performance in order to capacity along the Castlefield Corridor; and barriers in case of sewer flooding. reduce the risks to passengers, employers and reduced congestion at Manchester Piccadilly. the public at large. The upgrade works undertaken to allow the He also touched upon a few of the challenges reopening of a short section of the route in late RSSB support this by developing standards, the project faced these included: disconnecting 2017 consisted partly of renewing severely conducting research, analysing data, the UKs first passenger railway which linked worn rail. The rail (~BS35) was all original but promoting sustainability principles and the Museum of Science and Industry; working needed to be curved prior to installation due developing the industry technology strategy. on viaducts; liaising with multiple councils; to extremely tight radius curves. To do this all RSSB supports its members who are made and working upon and around listed buildings rail had to be taken in and out of the system up of Network Rail, operators, suppliers and and structures. Matt continued by describing via the single maintenance access, with the contractors. John explained some of the the works undertaken utilising diagrams and assistance of hoists. initiatives which may be less well known to images of the works. Some novel solutions some in the industry, such as SPARK. This is were utilised including the use of CWR over the The cramped tunnels, which provided barely a database of all railway research undertaken River Irwell and Trinity Way viaducts supported enough clearance for vehicles, made working to date and can provide a very useful reference by structural breathers and zero longitudinal conditions challenging. Changing sleepers source to engineers. resistance (ZLR) fastenings. cast into a concrete ‘frame’ was also required. The HARDLOCK Nut is the solution John went on to outline two recent research The use of Rhomberg IVES direct fastenings Alasdair finished by explain that the partially projects, the first of which was to investigate system with VTRAS transition arrangements reopened railway, maintained by a staff of 2, the case for employing an economic wheel and under bearer pads within S&C layouts. can now be experienced alongside the Postal to prevent loosening in bolted joints. turning regime to extend wheel life. The Museum. The talk was concluded with a vote research concluded that running with thin 14th December 2017 of thanks from Alastair Roberts. flanges has no negative impact on wear rates High Speed Track Design and safety, and that a change in the trigger Niall Fagan, Head of Track Engineering and SOUTH & WEST WALES • Easy to install point for turning could save £5.1m per annum. Matt Hunt, Lead Track Systems Engineer at Trials are ongoing with Virgin/Alstom. HS2 Ltd 13th November 2017 Section Visit and presentation at Wales The second study John outlined was looking at Niall began by explaining the need for HS2 and Route Operations Centre • Can be hand-wound before tightening the application of sand during braking and the the geographical scope of each phase. He Tim Ball, Head of operations delivery and risk of SPAD/platform overruns. The project described the design vision: a safe, sustainable Phil Vacara, current operations manager, aimed to quantify and compare the possible and reliable system able to provide exceptional Network Rail SPAD and platform overshoot risk reduction levels of service to passengers. against the possible loss of train detection if Tim as Head of Operations Delivery introduced • Use with standard bolts & threads more sanding was to be allowed. He went on discuss the Track Specification and co-host Phil Vacara Current Operations Design for HS2 – the operating context and Manager who was responsible for the day to Ten years’ worth of SPAD data was reviewed design objectives and what is required for High day running of the WROC. Giving a safety and they found that on multiple formations, Speed Track. briefing for the dos and don’ts for visitor and • Removable & reusable all currently installed sanders should be used railway safety Phil then outlined the function and this could deliver performance and safety Matt went into detail on track system design of the centre before the meeting split into two benefits exceeding £1m pa. Enhanced sanding requirements to ensure performance against groups who were escorted around by our Network Rail Approved was implemented by GTR this autumn. the systems operating context, in particular hosts. • Lower your maintenance costs trackform selection; with slab track being John explained the standards framework, utilised for phase 1 whereas both slab and The WROC functions as a co-located control Certifi cate of Acceptance the development since privatisation and the ballasted track will be used in phase 2. for Network Rail and for Arriva Trains Wales integration of National and EU standards. He (ATW) for Wales Route. It also functions PA05/02077 • Reduction/elimination of HAVs went on to describe the role of standards in the Optimisation of the latter was discussed. as the signalling centre for an increasing management of interfaces – a common one Procurement was touched upon as were the proportion of Wales Route. Originally intended being platform gauge clearance and passenger project timelines before the talk turned back to be the replacement signalling centre for stepping distance. John also clarified a few to engineering: geotechnical issues; track Cardiff and Newport ‘panel’ boxes the WROC myths surrounding deviations and the ongoing alignment; and switches and crossings were all signalling role will now expand to encompass management of infrastructure. discussed. signalling control throughout the Wales route Call Staytite: 01494 462322 or email: [email protected] as new systems are commissioned and boxes Once a decision has been taken to move away The talk was concluded with a vote of thanks and panels closed. Rationalisation of layouts www.staytite.com/hardlock from ‘standard’, then someone needs to own from Steve Whitmore. and miniaturisation of equipment has made this

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possible. Unfortunately, it was only possible to Alongside is a larger training/meeting room and then pre-cambered on the cooling bank view the electronic interlocking installation from where the PWI visitors assembled and asked to minimise stresses before put through the the access door window since it was too noisy questions of our hosts. The visit concluded with straightening rollers and subjected to 100% to enter without ear protection. a vote of thanks proposed by Stuart Layzell. non-destructive testing for dimension, surface quality, flatness and internal quality. Rails may Signalling is performed on part of the upper 11th December 2017 then be flash butt welded to 216m for ease of floor by separate workstations operated by one Making tracks with British Steel track installation. signaller working 12-hour shifts. A workstation Daniel Pyke, British Steel typically controls the routes for eight traditional The speaker then went on to describe recent lever frame signal boxes. Currently there are In a thumbnail sketch of his career Daniel told developments in rail steels to give increased 7 No. workstations incorporating Cardiff and the audience of reaching his present position wear and Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF) Newport panels but more recently this includes in marketing rails starting in the technical resistance. British Steel has developed a Shrewsbury (Crewe Junction) to Crewe (Gresty department and then entering consultancy harder rail steel using the standard rolling Lane) and will include Chester to Rhyl from regarding tramway rails. The name British process in HP335 which offers rail life typically early 2018. Steel returned to the vocabulary in June 2016 3 times longer than the standard 260 hardness when Greybull Capital bought Long Products rail. Increased wear resistance and lower Within the operating floor is a Gold Command Division from Tata Steel. RCF susceptibility had reduced rail grinding room available for significant events frequency and increased rail life dramatically (particularly at Cardiff Millenium Stadium) The division annually makes approximately 3m with great cost savings in maintenance and rail and during incidents where the railway can tonnes of rail, sections and wire rod at facilities replacement. Overall use of this harder rail be managed with additional media and in Scunthorpe, Teesside, Skinningrove and was more cost effective in most situations than British Transport Police presence and make Hayange (France). The division has the rolls to the use and restrictions of higher cost heat immediate service changes. produce 100 rail sections although only six are treated rails. usually required in the UK. The control function embraces all of Wales Daniel concluded his presentation with a Route for train operation, signal technician discussion of rail corrosion and the latest deployment and incident response. ATW Scunthorpe plant is the main centre of steel development in protection using Zinoco as a has integrated Fleet Control and Crewing to production with blast furnaces producing 250t successor to Railcote. Zinoco is a thermally make train service alterations according to per 45minutes, which is then transported sprayed zinc rich alloy coating to the web the situation. Control desks for Great Western in 550t torpedo wagons with 46t axle loads and foot being more damage resistant than Railway, and CrossCountry as well as the to the basic oxygen converter where scrap Railcote. It protects the rail foot in corrosive Freight operators are located in other route steel and trace additives are added. The steel environments of level crossings and tunnels controls and incident liaison is by phone except is continuously cast in a 6 strand concast and had recently been used in Patchway for known events. plant into 6.5t blooms. These blooms are tunnel. In summing up Daniel offered his then typically rolled into 115m lengths of support in assisting track engineers to pick the In addition to the day to day train operations 56 or 60kg rail for the UK. Daniel explained right solution to give the best value. there are also training and retraining facilities that key to British Steel rail production was for signallers to the workstation environment unique traceability of the rail through to the A question and answer session concluded with with training and instructors panel simulators. final user. Rails are branded during rolling a vote of thanks proposed by Phil Donbavand and supported unanimously.

8th January 2018 ‘Life down under’ Alex Pugh

Taking three themes Railway, Australia & ‘Life’ (the differences and the impact on all three) Alex reprised his time from arrival in Australia on 4th July 2007 to the present being his first trip ‘back home’ since that time. Arriving in Queensland, a state covering seven times the size of the UK,

Alex was located in Townsville as Track Engineer for the north of the state. He contrasted the importance of the types of route under his control. The coast route connecting SMARTWELD ACE - Accelerated Cooling the ports for distribution of goods from the major cities to the south. Routes from the coast Equipment to the interior used for export mineral traffic and for livestock. ● A purpose built water misting system, Finally, there is a scenic railway in Kuranda designed for accelerating cooling of an near Cairns which defied description in the aluminothermic weld. earthworks in a tropical landscape. Alex ● Working in conjunction with the Gull Wing commented on the extreme weather conditions shear blades, can save up to 15 minutes per that were not fully understood during route weld. construction leading to bridge washouts from Additional cost savings , as it can allows ● extreme flooding events. more welds to be completed in existing possession times History is ignored at the engineers’ peril. ● Through intensive testing and development, Category 5 Hurricane Yasi struck Townsville it has been proven to maintain weld integrity in 2011 and left significant memories to both due to a regulated flow rate. family and the local landscape. Mishaps could ● Has received full plant and product approval for use on TFL infrastructure. sometimes be spectacular. Mined minerals like ammonium nitrate when mixed with spilt diesel oil could cause massive explosions. In this case, the accident happened on the road www.thermit-welding.com at a river crossing which removed both the 01708 522626 road bridge and that of the adjacent railway. When faced with restoring the track damage

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when the derailment cause was disputed Alex significantly, showing a 58% reduction in PWI Objectives and Corporate Membership. recounted the building of a temporary deviation passenger disruption since the last year of Steve elaborated on his role as President of to bypass the quarantine site. A solution that CP4, with improvement in engineering quality the PWI. He said that his objectives during his would be unlikely in a UK context. showing a 50% reduction in asset failures terms of office post entering service. Track quality is also are: In March 2014 Alex moved to Brisbane as consistently improving in all categories. Track and Civil Engineer and spoke of the • Increase the number of professional different challenges in incorporating the Delivering renewals in ever tighter access Engineers commuter railway for the state capital. Defect facilities in CP5 will continue in CP6. This • Introduce experienced candidate route to reduction was a major challenge but was will increase requirements for efficiencies, qualifications considered to be a success. Broken rails had particularly as more and more individual items • Develop the role of Corporate Members been significantly reduced with ultrasonic are increasing in complexity. surveys and rolling contact fatigue inspections. Steve expanded on how the PWI is working Steve explained the reasons for this in detail, towards achieving these goals. He explained Alex told the story of flooding in a major station citing particularly S & C renewals where a how Corporate Membership is a strategic where the water disappeared as quickly as greater proportion of more complicated layouts partnership designed to benefit the rail it arrived and of trying to convince the city are now being undertaken across the network. infrastructure industry. The PWI welcomes fathers that a bridge repainting scheme to Core track access reductions are necessitating Corporate Members from all sections of the the original colour would look different due to more mobilisations per lin.km, and high rail industry, the members being involved sunlight fading of the paint. output renewals have had to improve pre- and in the development of the PWI to ensure its postproduction times in order to deliver the products and services meet the needs of the He concluded by showing a short video of a same volume. Higher handback speeds are rail industry for technical expertise. now discontinued trackbuilding competition at being achieved, including S & C renewals at the state fair using traditional methods showing full line speed. Cliff began by expanding the title of his talk to how it used to be done. “A retired railwayman’s view of our current UK Throughout the presentation there were This is being achieved by concentration on key safety performance: Profit before safety? – introductions to the many and varied phases of the work to produce consistently Complacency or learning base? He then turned characters that Alex worked with on a day to high quality of delivery, such as compaction everyone’s attention to the quiz he had set, day basis. and consolidation, setting out to fine accuracy providing the answers and awarding a book and secure rail clamping arrangements. prize to the highest scorer. Of the lifestyle in Australia the audience were Steve expanded on this with a list of CP5 IP enthralled. The only question in the minds of Track efficiencies and innovations, continuing Cliff said that his career as a Train Engineer some was of why Alex would want to return to with more details of specific items such as has included Depot Management at Stratford, the UK in winter from the warmth and sunshine under sleeper pads, tamping and concurrent Bristol Bath Road and Selhurst, as Director of Queensland’s summer. DTS, micro piling, rail joint temporary clamps T&RS for Network South East, as Founder allowing high speed running and the 4D Member of Angel Trains, then MD Thameslink THAMES VALLEY modelling planning tool. and latterly AEA Technology Rail.

3rd January 2018. Joint Meeting with IMechE Railway Division South Western Centre and PWI Wessex, Birmingham and West of England Sections

Track Delivery Update and Update on the PWI Steve Featherstone, President of the PWI and Network Rail Track Programme Director

Red for danger: an old railwayman’s view of the current UK network safety performance Cliff Perry

Illustrating his talk with a series of slides, Steven began by looking at safety performance across the range of track renewals. He showed that trends for accidents and incidents are positive in all reporting categories, and that continuing to learn from evidence is resulting in the implementation of appropriate measures and mitigations, such as air fed masks and thermal helmet liners. The BSC Occupational H & S Audit 2017 resulted in all four renewal programmes – plain line, S & C North, S & C South and High Output – retaining their 5* audit rating.

Turning to planning development, Steve stated that significant increases in GRIP 1-3 deliverables compliance has been achieved. Timeliness is also showing a continual improvement trend. The Routes remain accountable for performance with IP Track providing a service. Steve said the volume delivery in plain line, high output and across the S & C Alliance is in line with the last forecast, and FPM performance for IP Track as at P9 is positive at £22.6m. IP Track’s impact on the operational railway has fallen

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Posing the question “What am I going to say?” accidental risk profile to passengers, workforce More case studies followed (Ladbroke Cliff stated that current safely performance and public, the risk to the workforce compared Grove, Slough and Lac Megantic in Canada), is an achievement which we can talk about with other industries, and to persons at the all of which exhibited design or operating with some confidence, avoiding complacency platform – train interface. Some risks have deficiencies which contributed to catastrophic and dogma. He said he would pick out three been managed well – e.g. RCF prediction incidents and exposed serious culture issues. reasons for this and illustrate that we need to and understanding, and Wheelchex results, Cliff then enumerated a number of practical make sure they last to meet tomorrow’s risk – reducing the number of rail failures. Use reasons for the current standard of safety on and get better. The top three reasons: of technology (such as VAMPIRE) and our railway: on-train diagnostic equipment is driving • Digital revolution understanding and reducing risk. Similarly, • Good Safety is Good Business • Competence management revisions and adherence to standards and • All parties are committed to improving the • Interface management design principles have considerably reduced railway the risk to passengers, e.g. trains now have • Investment Data from RSSB reports shows that 1.73 billion a high degree of crashworthiness, safety • Compensation Regime costs passenger journeys were made in 2016/2017; doors, laminated windows, sanding; on the (performance) there were no passenger or workforce fatalities infrastructure, signalling has TPWS, IECC/ • Real enforceable co-operation in train accidents (10th successive year) but SSI – Control Centres, SPAD alarms, there were 5 passenger and 1 workforce LED; track and structures have design In conclusion, Cliff asked “What to keep and fatalities in individual incidents. Public fatalities integrity, remote condition monitoring, level why?” and suggested the top three reasons for on railway premises numbered 270 (237 crossing automation, electrification; stations our position: suicides or suspected suicides), there were increasingly have accessibility for all, managed 305 major injuries to passengers and public platform-train interface, and info systems. • Digital revolution and 164 to members of the workforce. - Technology across the piece Cliff said that occupational issues such as • Competence management RSSB conclude that although these figures are recruitment and pay, competence management - Quality and understanding the second lowest level over the last 10 years (training in-house, at Academies and through • Interface Management there are major challenges facing the industry, Professional Institutions) and culture, - Defined Interfaces such as managing risk at the platform edge, particularly leadership and inclusion, are now -Contractual assaults on trains and stations, and emerging being given prominence. Turning to some - Business critical trends in workforce road driving. However, “near miss” case studies, Cliff showed and -Visible, enforced co-operation RRSB data shows that the UK is the safest of discussed video clips depicting incidents at the largest railways in Europe. Hest Bank, Malahide, Kilkenny and Wootton It is all happening, and we will be better Basset Junction. prepared to cope with the next three risks: Cliff then showed the very significant downward trend in train accidents with Next, Cliff outlined the process by which the • Growth passenger or workforce fatalities since safety culture is embedded into our operations: • Resilience 1963/4 in the UK, followed by a breakdown of • MMI significant accidents per type in the EU. • Clarity of Responsibility This breakdown shows that 61% of accidents • Safety Management Systems Summarising: were attributed to individuals and 26% at level • Regulator ORR (Licensing) with sanctions crossings – those directly attributable to train capability • UK model safer than comparable state incidents totalled 9%. The UK currently ranks • Investigation RAIB (independence) railways joint first safest based on the number of train • Risk Based Mitigation (VPF) • Improvement in Plant, People and safety incidents, best at managing passenger • Co-operation Processes and level crossing safety, third at managing • Performance Management • Three major influences employee safety, and fifth for trespass. • Asset Management • Underpinned by Sustained investment (Gov’t and Private) Stating that we are not a risk-free business, and discussed how these factors are working Cliff then discussed in detail the data on the in practice.

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WESSEX SECTION and 275 Miles of Boundary fence. Within that 2nd January 2018 track mileage there are 302 Point Ends, 356 Rail Plant and Technology Developments 5th December 2017 Crossings, 134 adjustment Switches and 1416 Satnam Singh Thiara, Business The TME Challenge Insulated Block joints. Development Manager, Balfour Beatty Tony Newton: The Track Maintenance Engineer for the Woking Area of the This responsibility is discharged via two Track Sat described his experience during his Wessex Route Section Managers at Woking and Guildford, 10 years in the rail industry which included who each have a relatively small team of widespread experience abroad. Tony opened his presentation with an Supervisors, admin and planning staff. Team introduction to his career path to becoming leaders are supported by technician staff. He explained that Balfour Beatty’s company the Track Maintenance Engineer at Woking. structure had three rail plant divisions: He had spent a number of years leading and A small central team at Woking provides the teaching the civil engineering apprentices overall technical support. The technical team 1. 1. ‘On Track Machines’ comprising of 16 during their time at HMS Sultan at Portsmouth. refines and communicates the considerable tampers; He applauded the use of “Visualisation” volumes of data that are available through the 2. ‘Road Rail Vehicles’ including mini that allowed teams to address the issues sophisticated systems now available to the diggers, MEWPS and units for affecting performance of the infrastructure in a TME. electrification; structured and measured way. 3. ‘Specialist Plant’ including the high output Tony outlined his performance plan which machines and Kirow cranes. The “Challenges” that he faced everyday highlighted the fundamentals of consistent involved the following; Cold and Hot weather inspection, reporting, scoping and planning Sat then described two new pieces of plant, seasons, defect management, earthworks, which, with investment in skills and technology, the ‘De Clipper’ and the ‘Thimble Dragger’, longitudinal timbers, specific geographical will drive safer and higher quality delivery. which Balfour Beatty developed and recently layouts at Weybridge and Guildford, the launched following receipt of Network Rail management of supporting teams and his own He identified that the steps beyond that point approvals. They are both attachments to road technical team. Alongside all these direct requires considerable changes to delivery rail excavators. challenges the continuous awareness of a methods which will support increased capacity. huge number of other aspects needed to be The De Clipper is used for the quick and considered. In conclusion, Tony highlighted the following efficient removal of types E and PR rail/ areas to be addressed; Challenge existing sleeper connecting clips. It removes both These included Cyclic Top, Track Quality, practice, Invest in Staff Skills, Share Good rows in a single pass and can achieve rates of Cracked Crossings, Performance Risk 2236 Practice & make normal, 1500/2000 metres per hour and can operate Points, Finance & performance schemes, S&C with different rail wear heights and do single Tagging, Volumes, MST Smoothing, Backlog, Share with pain & manage risks and to strive rail only clip removal. Competence, and ORR Escalator. Tony went for Effective Reporting to allow effective on to describe his area of responsibility at analysis. Woking which covered, 178 Miles of Track

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It can be used in third rail and crossings, but It has both terminal and through platforms, cause analysis and working together with not fourth rail, environments. The Thimble the latter serving Charing Cross and Cannon S&C manufacturers to look at how detailed Dragger carries out rail thimbling and dragging Street and, since 1987, Thameslink services to design changes might address foreseeable in a single safe process with no requirement for Blackfriars and beyond. weaknesses. hot works. The whole station is carried on a complex, The effects of new rolling stock introduction Sat finished with a description of the six rail multi-layered arch structure, much of which was particularly pertinent for the Swindon design teams within BB: has had to be demolished to make way for a based section meeting, NR Western new central concourse, six terminal platforms Route being a big beneficiary of a national 1. ‘Engineering and Technology Solutions’: and nine through platforms. ‘unprecedented new trains bonanza!’ The teams of software engineers at Derby introduction of 5670 new vehicles nationally by and Matlock, approx. 30 in each office, On the country approaches a new dive-under 2020, plus a cascade of existing fleets, is likely dealing mainly with track electrification, at Bermondsey eliminates the conflict between to bring about subtle changes due to potentially power supply, and condition monitoring. Southeastern and Thameslink services, whilst heavier axle loads, higher unsprung mass, The new Cross Rail trains and the IEP at the London end the two track bottleneck stiffer yaw suspension, and different wheel fleet will have monitoring equipment at Borough Market has been widened to four profiles and operating characteristics. Sin Sin recording daily conditions of key tracks. explored different track components where components on the track and overhead changes might become apparent. Further contact system. All this was accomplished with the aid of six case studies were considered with respect to major bank-holiday blockades between Easter derailment risk at curves and cast crossing 2. ‘Track Design Solutions’: A team of 2014 and Christmas 2017 and considerable optimisation. approx. 30 who have been involved alterations to service patterns in between to in Crossrail West Outer and KO2 facilitate the ‘normal’ works, which included The presentation concluded that we have Thameslink projects. Cannon Street services not being able to call learnt a lot about failure modes and risk in at London Bridge for over a year. S&C, together with the potential effects of new 3. ‘Infrastructure Surveying’: In 2016 BB train fleets. The track engineer’s challenge is bought Omnicom Engineering and last The final - and highly successful - blockade, to take this learning and apply it to forthcoming year launched OmniCapture3D, which is took place over Christmas and New Year renewals and maintenance works. Sin Sin’s a body mounted portable mobile mapping 2017/18 when the whole new layout was ‘S&C Track Design Good Practice Guide’ (ref system unit that contains two high speed commissioned, the Bermondsey dive-under NR/GN/TRK/058), published as a Network Rail laser scanners, an inertial measurement fully brought into use and Cannon Street trains Guidance Note but available to all, is a highly unit and an imaging system that are fully once again calling at London Bridge. recommended read to help us rise to this synchronised to capture high density, high challenge. accuracy point cloud data with accuracy London Bridge has gained what is essentially of up to +/- 10mm. a brand new station with ground-breaking WEST YORKSHIRE architecture by Grimshaw (who designed Waterloo International), spacious circulating 2nd November 2017 4. ‘Electrification Design’: approx. 100 areas and new shopping outlets to rival those Four Tracks to Micklefield? engineers in UK and Malaysia. They have of St Pancras, so the public’s patience has Donald Townsley developed ‘Rail Electrification Designer- been rewarded. BIM L2 3D design software.’ Simon ended his talk by outlining the signalling Donald presented his view of an Integrated and control systems employed which includes Transport System for Leeds to the areas 5. ‘Design for Construction Integration’: white ‘proceed on sight’ aspects (akin to councillors in 2012. Key facts involved various ‘BB Engineering’ does the design/ calling-on signals of yore) for use when there government decisions, which were changed. construction integration when ‘BB Rail are track circuit failures and automatic train Six miles east of Leeds is the Thorpe Park Construction’ undertakes the construction operation through the core itself which will development but currently there is no railway in design & builds contracts. The recent provide the 24 paths per hour, 27-second station in that area. Crossrail Western Outer Section was boarding times and 60-second dwell times. one and the current contract for the GW The present proposal is for a station at Route Sections 6C, 8 & 9, on the 62km A new timetable comes into force in May Micklefield accessed from the A1 (M), rather route between Bristol & Cardiff, includes 2018 with extra Thameslink services to such than Thorpe Park accessed from the M1. If managing five design houses. exotic destinations as Littlehampton, but the the Transpennine electrification had been full 24-train capacity will not be realised until completed the Harrogate and Bradford spurs 6. Sat summarised that success depended December 2019 when even more Thameslink would make sense. A current proposal is for a on experience, innovation and services are introduced. station between Cross Gates and the M1. investment. WEST OF ENGLAND 6th February 2018 The double track section between Leeds Thameslink: The final chapters November 22nd 2017 and Micklefield has seven non-stop and Simon Blanchflower, Network Rail What’s happening to our S&C and what are two stopping trains per hour for most of the the possible effects of introducing new day, plus various freight trains. Adding two The Thameslink Programme has been rolling stock? more tracks would have to overcome the providing a challenge for travelers on Dr Sin Sin Hsu, Head of Track Engineering, viaduct section at Marsh Lane, but from Southeastern, Southern and Thameslink trains Network Rail, HS1 there to Garforth the original bridges and since 2007, but this £5 billion infrastructure embankments were built for four tracks. Four project, which will allow 24 trains an hour to Sin Sin started by looking at various sites tracks existed as far as Cross Gates until the pass through the central London ‘core’, is now where crossings appeared to have failed mid-1960s. nearing completion. prematurely with consequential impact on the operational railway and sustainability. There The next sets of franchises are ordering bi- Simon Blanchflower, Network Rail’s Major were common themes apparent across all modes for East Coast services and Class 68 Programme Director for Thameslink, attracted Network Rail Routes including increasing plus new Mark V coaches for Trans Pennine a capacity crowd to the Wessex Section’s trends in switch rail damage and cracking of services. For local services, Arriva has ordered February meeting to hear his talk “Thameslink: cast crossings in the foot. diesel and electric trains. Midland Main Line The Final Chapters” which brought the story Electrification is to stop at Sheffield. The single up to date. Simon began with a history of the Despite these difficulties, 90% of track line sections on the Harrogate Line are to be works which centered on London Bridge. renewals tended to a ‘like for like’ basis which doubled, so electrification would enable an London Bridge is a complicated station which might not reflect changes in traffic type and hourly Leeds-York-Harrogate circular service. opened in 1836 and then grew erratically for volume. Sin Sin saw that the challenge to Regular ‘clock face’ services are needed to two independent pre-grouping companies. achieving better reliability lie with more root attract commuters.

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The rail link to Leeds – Bradford Airport would Between these and the stonework is a five foot They next deliver the metal to a BOS require growth in traffic to justify a fixed link. concrete cap. The upper part incorporates Convertor where it is treated by having jets The current proposal for a bus link from a new several different construction techniques; the of oxygen blown in to it. The metal is then station at the exist of Bramhope tunnel seems upper deck is supported from the tied cast taken to a Secondary Steelmaker where it is unlikely to succeed, as if passengers at the iron arch, with trestles on top. The lower deck refined. Depending on the requirement, it has airport board a bus they are likely to continue hangs from the arch on wrought iron hangers. substances such as manganese and silica on the bus to Leeds or Bradford. sand added. It also has hydrogen removed Whilst describing the High Level Bridge, Roger – hydrogen in the steel increases the risk of The current estimate of £35m for the rail link showed several slides detailing the different tache ovals forming. is significantly less than the proposals for new techniques, from the arch, dating back to roads. The 31 miles of the Borders Railway Roman times and favoured by early engineers, The steel is then transferred to a continuous were refurbished for £353m, but the trackbed to the Bowstring, and trestle bridges referred casting mill, the output of which are steel billets and many of the stations already existed, and to later in the presentation. Roger then related approximately 6 metres long and weighing 6 needed renovation. the story of the bridge in use, concluding with tonnes. These billets are reheated and taken to the award of a ‘European Union ‘Nostra Award’ a rolling mill. They are rolled in several passes The ‘basic’ station at Apperley Bridge cost for quality restoration in 2009, and becoming a to rail profile and are branded to show the site £8m, Low Moor was £10.8m, which seems World Heritage Site in 2015. of manufacture, the composition of the steel, high when compared to the Borders Railway. the profile, etc. Current proposals for Leeds City Station seem Roger then referred to viaducts, notably the to ignore the trains as High Speed 2 (HS2) 28, 61 feet 6 inch span, 720 yard Royal Border The rails are then cooled and straightened. provision is likely to reduce both platform Bridge opened in 1850 by Queen Victoria, 100% of the rails are then put through 100% space and the number of paths available to non which has needed, or received very little inspection, to be checked for surface quality, HS2 trains. maintenance. Roger described the extensive dimensions, flatness and internal quality. work done to persuade English Heritage and Multiple cameras view the rail in different Donald then examined the fiasco of the ‘high the Planning Departments to allow overhead coloured lighting to enable faults to show up. quality’ bendy bus, which he considered line electrification masts to be fitted to the had delayed the introduction of hybrid and bridge. A slide showed that the result is barely The rails also pass through eddy current battery busses. Will there be a Thorpe Park to noticeable today, and Roger related how swans testing. Flatness is inspected by 5 lasers and 5 Bradford fast tramway via the Headrow? Many collided with the masts! cameras. Ultrasonic testing employs 18 probes of the dual carriageways are still available. to cover all surfaces of the rail. The rails are We then ‘moved’ westwards to the 21 viaducts initially produced in 108 metre lengths and are Donald’s presentation prompted an of the famous Settle and Carlisle Railway, then flash butt welded if longer lengths are interesting and enthusiastic debate about built by John Crossley, the Midland Railway required. the future of transport in Leeds and beyond, Engineer. Of these the most famous is involving most of the attendees. Ribblehead, built of limestone sourced in Daniel then spoke about two developments Littledale and completed in 1875. The 24 spans which are designed to give rails with a longer 19th December 2017 are each 45 feet long giving a total length of life in difficult sites. The first is HP335 rail Railway Bridges 440 yards. which gives increased wear resistance and Roger Bastin reduces rolling contact fatigue. This is being Every 6th pier is 18 feet, rather than 6 trialled at 7 sites nationally, including the curve Roger began by stating that Network Rail feet, thick. Other bridges described in this at Hett Mill on the East Coast line in Durham currently own 28,451 bridges, a reduction on fascinating presentation included Viaducts at: and at Shipley station. the 42,000 pre- Beeching in the early 1960s. Dent Head, [10 spans of 45 feet.] Arten Gill [11 By way of comparison, Roger informed us spans at 37 feet 8 inches], Moorcock [12 spans After 5 years at Hett Mill a saving of £247,700 that there are 10,000 road bridges of which 44/45 feet], Smardale [237 yards long, 130 has been realised compared to the usual R260 Network Rail own 16%, the Department feet high, 12 spans], Glenfinnan - 21 ‘standard’ grade rail due to the reduction in rail grinding for Transport 8.5%, and Surrey, a typical spans of 50 feet, trapezoidal piers on a radius and other interventions. At Shipley station, the local authority, 2.5%. After privatisation, of 264 yards (241m)], Rannock [9 spans at 70 frequency of rail grinding had halved and the Eastern Region had a total of both under and feet 6 inches] , Loch-nam-Uamh, Borrowdale, rail life had more than doubled. overbridges of 5,340. Tees, Belah, and Oakwell. The Forth Bridge, The King Edward Bridge, The Tay Bridges, and Zinoco is a rail coating to prevent damage. Roger continued by focusing on the work of Swing Bridges at Trouse, Goole, and Selby. It is a thermally sprayed zinc rich alloy. Rail Robert Stephenson, who was both a Civil and foot breaks are increasing. Many occur Mechanical Engineer, involved in Surveys, Note that apart from one steel bridge at Fort from corrosion at sites where the rail is in Bridges, Locomotives, and almost everything William, those on the Mallaig extension to wet conditions, such as coastal sites, level else! Two of Robert Stephenson’s works on the West Highland lind were built of concrete, crossings and tunnels. the North Eastern Railway are now Grade 1 January 1897 – April 1901. The rock removed listed structures, namely the High Level Bridge from cuttings and tunnels was very hard and at Newcastle, and the Royal Border Bridge at incapable of being dressed, but made excellent Berwick. aggregate when crushed.

The High Level Bridge took 9 months to design 16th January 2018 and three years to build. It started carrying Making Tracks with British Steel. trains in August 1849, and was formally Daniel Pyke, British Stell opened by Queen Victoria in September 1849. The speaker was Daniel Pyke, an employee At the time the newspapers described the of British Steel at Scunthorpe, which opening as the “Biggest event Tyneside had manufactures 3 million tonnes of rail annually. ever seen, with 800 guests on the bridge and 96% of the rail used by Network Rail is 60,000 below it. This unique bridge, now 169 manufactured in Britain. years old and still in use, carries road and rail traffic on two levels, and has 6 spans of 125 Hot metal is produced in blast furnaces and feet, giving an overall length of 457 yards. 5 of then transferred to torpedo cars for transport the piers are built in local sandstone. The piers across the site. The torpedo cars are 550 were built on 12 inch square timber piles driven tonne vehicles on 6 wheel bogies with a 46 down to bedrock with the newly developed tonne axle load. Nasmyths Steam Hammer.

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