The Severn Tunnel’s down line track has been renewed by South Rail Systems Alliance in a 16-day project.
- Conducted between 3rd and 19th July 2024, the operation involved the installation of over 7,000 metres of new track.
- A phased approach allowed the team to efficiently handle challenged conditions within the historic tunnel.
- The project spanned from the England entrance to the Wales exit, utilizing multiple engineering trains.
- The achievement is celebrated as a significant feat in rail engineering, highlighting meticulous planning.
The renewal of the Severn Tunnel’s down line track was a substantial engineering project completed by the South Rail Systems Alliance (SRSA), which includes Colas Rail UK, Aecom, and Network Rail. This ambitious operation was conducted over a 16-day period from 3rd to 19th July 2024, marking a significant milestone in rail infrastructure maintenance. During this period, the team successfully installed more than 7,097 metres of new track, commencing at the entrance in England and concluding at the exit in Wales.
The team adopted a phased renewal programme that ensured seamless operations throughout the tunnel. By organising the work into approximately 700-metre sections, they could maintain a steady workflow likened to a conveyor belt system. To achieve this, multiple engineering trains and strategic work fronts were utilised, enabling efficient management of the site under the constraints of being one of the world’s historically longest underwater tunnels.
In terms of materials and logistics, the project involved handling vast quantities of resources. The installation required 66 rails, each 216 metres in length, alongside 10,800 sleepers to support the track. Additionally, 22,000 tonnes of new ballast were used, while 24,000 tonnes of spoil material were extracted and safely disposed of. The scale of these operations underscored the logistical prowess and precision planning executed by the SRSA team.
Shaun Hodges, head of operations Wales & West for the SRSA, praised the meticulous planning and delivery work of the Kings Norton team, describing the project completion as an exceptional achievement. “Excelling at track installation is what we do best,” Hodges noted, reflecting on the collective effort involved. Meanwhile, Brian Paynter, Network Rail’s track programme director, highlighted the complexity of the task, noting that this was the longest single mobilisation conventional track renewal in his memory.
The successful renewal project stands as a testament to the capabilities and planning excellence of the South Rail Systems Alliance.
