An enormous machine being used to dig HS2’s Birmingham approach tunnels broke through today, marking the completion of major tunnel excavation between London’s Old Oak Common and the West Midlands. The 125-metre-long tunnel boring machine – named Elizabeth after the 19th century philanthropist Elizabeth Cadbury – was launched near the Warwickshire village of Water Orton in […]
Category: Structures
Chesterfield station’s £3.3m platform reconstruction gets under way
A major infrastructure upgrade is taking place to strengthen two platforms at Chesterfield station. The £3.3 million investment will see 40-metre sections of platforms 1 and 2 reconstructed to provide better structural integrity – improving passenger experience and reducing maintenance costs in the long-term. Network Rail began site preparation in August, ahead of the main […]
M6 reopens early after weekend HS2 viaduct slide
Engineers working for the HS2 project have reopened the M6 ahead of schedule after sliding part of a huge new viaduct across the busy motorway. Over the weekend, the 230-metre long East Deck was moved into position over the M6 during a planned closure of the northbound and southbound carriageways near Birmingham Airport. For the […]
East Suffolk line will see vital track renewals and bridge repairs this autumn
Passengers travelling on the East Suffolk line are advised to plan ahead as essential track renewal and bridge repair work will be taking place from late October until December. Much of the track in this area is over 100 years old and needs to be replaced to maintain the safe and reliable operation of train […]
Whitehaven tunnel repair update for passengers and residents
Passengers and residents are being advised of long-term plans for the Cumbrian Coast Line after the closure of Whitehaven tunnel. Following the discovery of historic mine workings ahead of a planned track renewal specialist engineers have been working to deliver a lasting solution for the line. The extent of the work needed means Bransty tunnel, […]
Tunnel tours celebrate Railway 200 and Birmingham Heritage Week
Thirty people have been behind the scenes at Birmingham New Street to celebrate the city’s heritage and the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway. The lucky visitors, who won tickets as part of a Birmingham Heritage Week ballot, were able to walk the 400-metre-long tunnel, connecting the Mailbox to the station. The […]
Minimal disruption to passengers during East Midlands bridge replacement
Network Rail will soon begin major reconstruction work at Kirk Hill bridge in Sutton Bonington – with minimal disruption to train services. The project will see the structure demolished and replaced with a new bridge which offers a range of benefits. These include: The demolition of the existing bridge will take place on Thursday 25 […]
Historic High Peak viaduct’s freight future secured after £7.5 million upgrade
Major improvements to an historic railway viaduct in the Peak District are complete, securing its future for freight trains serving four major quarries in Derbyshire. Between 29 August and 7 September teams from Network Rail and its contractor AmcoGiffen strengthened a 160-year-old 15-arch structure on the Great Rocks freight line near Chapel-en-le-Frith. It’s one of […]
Historic High Peak viaduct’s freight future secured after £7.5 million upgrade
Major improvements to an historic railway viaduct in the Peak District are complete, securing its future for freight trains serving four major quarries in Derbyshire. Between 29 August and 7 September teams from Network Rail and its contractor AmcoGiffen strengthened a 160-year-old 15-arch structure on the Great Rocks freight line near Chapel-en-le-Frith. It’s one of […]
Construction of Britain’s longest rail bridge completed
New images have been released today to mark the completion of civil engineering works on HS2’s Colne Valley viaduct – the UK’s new longest rail bridge. The 2.1-mile-long structure carries Britain’s new high-speed railway across a series of roads, lakes, the River Colne and the Grand Union Canal, north west of London. Trains will operate […]