Rail journeys on the West Coast Main Line through Staffordshire have been improved thanks to major railway upgrades this August. Network Rail has invested £12.5 million renewing tracks, points, bridges and viaducts over the last three weeks. The work took place during a rare 21-day closure of a 50-mile stretch of the route from Stone […]
Category: Permanent Way
West Coast Main Line reopens after £43 million upgrades across three counties
Passengers are being thanked for their patience after a 21-day closure of the West Coast Main Line through Staffordshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester for multiple upgrades to improve future journeys for passengers and freight. On the morning of Saturday 23 August the 50-mile stretch of railway, where improvements to bridges, tracks, overhead lines and lineside […]
October half-term to bring changes to train services in Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire
During the October school holidays, Network Rail engineers carrying out a variety of improvements across the South Western Railway network, meaning that buses will replace trains in some places. While there is never a perfect time to close the railway, school holidays are typically much quieter with fewer people travelling, giving engineers an ideal window […]
Engineering work to affect trains between Swindon and Gloucester
Network Rail will complete essential engineering work on the Golden Valley line later this month that will impact passengers between Swindon and Gloucester. Work will take place in several areas along the line from Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 August. Rail, sleepers and ballast will be replaced at two sites between Swindon and Kemble and […]
Late evening engineering work and temporary alterations to affect some Essex railway services
Urgent late evening engineering work and temporary alterations will affect some services between Shenfield and Southend Victoria/Southminster from Monday 11 August onwards. Engineering teams will be working to improve the condition of the track, which is being affected by the driest spring and early summer in more than 50 years. The clay soil underneath the […]
Passengers thanked as Lichfield to Birmingham line reopens
The Cross City north line between Lichfield and Birmingham has fully reopened after a seven day closure for maintenance and improvement work. Network Rail teams worked round-the-clock to carry out earthwork repairs, complete track maintenance and improvements, and cut back vegetation, all of which will help make the railway and journeys through the area safer […]
Surveys result in closure of railway between Whitehaven and Corkicle
Cumbrian Coast Line passengers are being advised the railway between Whitehaven and Corkicle will remain closed after recent surveys. Network Rail has been working inside Bransty Tunnel for the last five days carrying out assessments ahead of a full track and drainage renewal in August and September. It involved doing tests to assess any weight limits needed […]
August Bank Holiday engineering works to impact services in Surrey and Hampshire
Buses will replace trains on the lines surrounding Guildford over the August Bank Holiday weekend Saturday 23rd August – Monday 25th August while vital engineering improvements are carried out on the South Western Railway network. The lines connecting Ascot, Guildford and Alton will be closed throughout the weekend, while the line linking Surbiton and Effingham […]
Staffordshire rail upgrades to improve safety and journey reliability
Passengers and residents in Stone, Staffordshire, are being advised about a £7m+ package of railway upgrades to improve safety, performance and long-term reliability on the West Coast Main Line. The work, which has been planned during the summer school holidays, includes refurbishing the River Trent Viaduct, replacing track at Stone station and the renewal of […]
Copper cable theft highlights need for dedicated railway security, says expert
In the wake of major disruption caused by cable theft on the Eurostar line, smarter security specialists Land Sheriffs are highlighting the need for dedicated security to keep the railways operational and safe. At the end of June, 600 metres of copper cables were stolen overnight from tracks used by the Eurostar near Lille in […]