Recruitment
“This is a story about a team that delivered a truly remarkable achievement. In less than 18 months they planned and delivered the replacement of 24,000 worn out wooden sleepers with new concrete sleepers in three blockades on Network Rail’s DC Lines (Euston- Watford). This was achieved through huge passion, determination, collaboration and innovation. Many obstacles were overcome in short timescales.
Maintenance engineers had sounded the alarm about the condition of these sleepers: they were causing speed restrictions to be imposed with possible closure of the line if no action was taken. Many of the sleepers were rotten, and each summer some of them were catching fire in the sun.
The challenge was to find a sleeper replacement method without the cost and logistical complications of full track renewals (replacement of rail, ballast and sleepers). A trial was held in August 2022, using an innovative methodology developed by the team, following which the green light was given. It was agreed that Network Rail’s Euston Maintenance team would act as the work owner with Balfour Beatty undertaking the construction work. This was a first, allowing streamlined processes, without which the work could not have been planned and completed in the timescales. Road rail vehicle operator TXM were brought on board and trained their machine drivers in the method. Transport for London granted blockade access totalling 7 weeks. Never before had access on such a scale and at such short notice been granted.
The scale of the task needed a new production line for the manufacture of the concrete sleepers. Network Rail’s own supply chain provided engineering haulage and tampers, but this was not enough: London Underground were asked to assist by providing their own engineering trains and tampers for much of the work – LU trains and tampers for the first time ever worked on Network Rail infrastructure. LU’s own team managed the complex logistics of bringing their rail vehicles onto Network Rail infrastructure. The other challenge was removing the conductor rail before the sleepers were changed and then reinstating it – this major risk area had to be managed carefully. Rail contractor Pod Trak formed a team dedicated to this activity.
There were many bumps along the way ahead of the first blockade and at times it looked as though everything was not going to be ready in time. Finally the big day came to start installing the sleepers. The team encountered difficult ground conditions and other challenges. However, they were not going to be put off and between them managed to deliver these record volumes.
Once the last blockade was over, a sleeper was engraved and installed in the track to commemorate the achievement. It is a fitting reminder of just what was achieved through the ‘can do’ attitude of the team and of the huge improvement to the railway for the travelling public that they delivered.“
“Great Team in completing the task within budget and on time“
“Good afternoon, I want to thank you for an exceptional evening, which I, and my team enjoyed immensely!”
Latest Twitter Updates
Follow us @RailStaffAwards