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Tuesday 19 Jul 2005

TRACK RENEWALS REACH A HIGHER OUTPUT ON THE EAST COAST

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National

Network Rail is moving to the next level in rebuilding Britain’s railway using world-leading high output machinery.  Due to start testing next month, the second new high output ballast cleaning system will work on the East Coast Main Line and will be based at Doncaster. Network Rail has today awarded the contract for the maintenance and operation of its second new high output ballast cleaning system to First Swietelsky, and has granted an extension to its contract for the first new high output system. Both framework contracts are anticipated to be worth around £50 million in total and will run until 2009.  The first new high output ballast cleaning and track relaying systems are in action on the Great Western Main Line, based at Reading. This is an £86 million investment by Network Rail, with the potential to reduce work times and increase productivity by more than 50%.  This will maximise the amount of work which can be delivered in short duration track access slots and minimise disruption to passengers. Network Rail’s Projects and Engineering Director, Peter Henderson, said: “The award of these contracts demonstrates Network Rail’s drive to improve the condition of its assets and to step up its track renewals activity.  The huge task of rebuilding our railway is well underway.” The High Output Ballast Cleaning System (HOBCS) works on the tracks’ ballast foundation. Ballast is the aggregate, which supports the track, keeping sleepers in position and providing drainage.  Ballast becomes contaminated with stone dust, called ‘fines’, over time and clogs up.  Ballast cleaning is a process to remove the ‘fines’ and add new ballast to the area to increase the performance and life of the track. While working, the High Output Ballast Cleaning System works at around a quarter of a mile an hour, undertaking the following processes continuously:

• Excavating ballast from beneath the track, while holding the track in position
• Passing the excavated material through large vibrating sieves
• Removing ‘fines’ to specialist wagons in the train
• Returning the larger pieces of ballast back to the track

·         Adding new ballast from wagons within the train to make up for the ‘fines’ removed These contracts will deliver cost reductions and significant improvements in value for money through:

• More integrated methods of working
• Optimisation of job lengths
• Better use  of track access and resources

  The management and development teams from Network Rail and First Swietelsky will be based in York, bringing both of Network Rail’s new high output systems under one integrated experienced team.