Media centre

Thursday 3 Sep 2015

Stunning time-lapse films show extent of work to prepare Bath’s railway line for electrification

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Over the last six weeks, Network Rail’s ‘orange army’ has been working round-the-clock to prepare the railway line that runs through Bath and its surrounding area for the arrival of electrification and a new fleet of longer, faster, quieter and greener electric trains.

The £50m project involved replacing and lowering 10km of track and installing 11 new switches and crossings, enabling trains to move from one track to another. The new lower track has created the additional headroom needed for the overhead lines that will power the new fleet of electric trains to run underneath, while preserving Bath’s historic architecture.

Spread over five separate sites, the preparation work in Bath was the largest project Network Rail has carried out to date and the biggest on the Western route for 40 years, culminating in the line re-opening to passengers, on time, on September 1.

This stunning time-lapse footage shows the scale of the project and the level of work involved across the various sites, including the iconic Box Tunnel and the picturesque Sydney Gardens.

Separate time-lapse footage is also available for the key sites including Box Tunnel, Bathampton Junction, Sydney Gardens and Dundas Aqueduct.

Andy Haynes, Network Rail’s project director for the west of England, said: “We always knew this was going to be a complex project given the historic architecture and infrastructure we were working around, but I’m pleased to say all work was completed on time.

“Now this preparation work has been carried out, we will be able to install the overhead line equipment that will be used to power the new electric trains. These trains will provide passengers with more seats and faster journeys, while significantly reducing noise and pollution for those who live close to the railway line.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the Great Western Electrification Programme

Electrification will transform the railway between London and Oxford, Newbury, Bristol and Cardiff to deliver a faster, greener, quieter and more reliable railway for passengers, with extra capacity. Electrifying this part of the Great Western route will enhance 235 miles of one of Britain’s busiest and oldest railways, better connecting major towns and cities across southern England and South Wales. This investment, as well as the introduction of a fleet of new trains, will improve journey times and make services more comfortable, smoother, cleaner and quieter for passengers and people living near the railway.

For more information about the Great Western Electrification Programme, visit: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/

For the latest updates on the Great Western Electrification Programme, follow our Twitter account @networkrailgwrm.