Christmas & New Year works 2024/25

In the closing days of 2024, Network Rail and the rail supply chain delivered a substantial and varied programme of works valued at £142.3 million.

With reduced demand for rail travel and the network closed across three bank holidays, the festive season provides an excellent opportunity for extensive maintenance with minimal disruption to passengers.

Significant projects were delivered across the length and breadth of the country, with a mixture of asset renewal schemes and enhancement schemes to enable future network upgrades and ensure smooth operations for years to come.

Within the work bank were 26 individual projects delivering complex infrastructure renewals or enhancements identified as RED through the Delivering Work Within Possessions (DWWP) assurance process.

There simply isn’t the space in this issue to cover all the completed works, but hopefully the next few pages will give you a glimpse of the sheer hard work of everyone involved.

Eastern Region

Beaulieu Park Station: The construction of a new station, and infrastructure upgrades between Chelmsford and Hatfield Peverel on the Great Eastern Mainline, will support a new housing development in the Beaulieu Park area of Chelmsford.

Over the holiday period, works included: SSI /IECC data alterations at Liverpool Street IECC & Romford ROC; changeover of 40 Track Circuits; 18 new signals and associated AWS and TPWS; changeovers in 17 location cases; the decommissioning of Brick House crossover; and the power down of  650V & LOC change overs.

Upon completion, Beaulieu Park will bring the Up Main & Loop Line into use, along with associated points and signalling. This will become fully functional, allowing better service times through Beaulieu Park Station.

Cambridge Interlocking Resignalling: The Cambridge Resignalling, Relock, and Recontrol Project (C3R) is a staged, condition-led renewal project to renew the signalling system in the Cambridge area. The current system’s life expectancy was reached at the end of 2024 and this project will improve the reliability and performance of the system, while also delivering operational efficiencies via implementation of a new MCS Infinity control system.

Works completed included the commissioning of workstation 03 (Cambridge North) and 04 (Ely) to MCS Infinity; the commissioning of a new Smartlock CIXL 04 to replace the 4 no. Ely SSIs; the upgrade of the existing Smartlock on CIXL 01 (ETN line); alteration of the Cambridge Geographical interlocking to include the Dullingham single line on WS03; recontrol of Chesterton RRI to MCS Infinity using the existing RIIU; and the migration of the existing HMIs into a temporary position on WS03 & 04 in PSB.

Lessons learned include that local agreement should be arranged for future stages to take level crossings under local control prior to possession which could have saved time at the start of the possession; and that a test plan should be created and submitted earlier to ST&CE and manage changes/updates to plan rather than awaiting to address all changes prior submission.

Foxton S&C renewal: Foxton station is located on the Cambridge Junction Line to Shepreth Branch Junction, and required S&C renewal to improve reliability in the area and reduce the risk of points failures and associated train delays/cancellations.

Works completed included: S&C Renewal of 4 no. points 1038A/B & 1039A/B; level crossing renewal with STRAIL crossing; installation of a fix buffer stop; coper stone adjustment; plain line renewal; wet bed renewal; signal and testing; and welding and stressing.

In the run-up to the works, rerail works were undertaken in weeks 25 and 31 to ensure the Harston level crossing could open at Christmas. Early engagement with the local authority led to successful collaboration with the local community, enabling the road closure. A drop-in session was organised and conducted as part of community engagement.

Liverpool Street roof replacement: Network Rail recently awarded a £22 million contract to Morgan Sindall Infrastructure to bring more light into London Liverpool Street by renewing the roof panels and improving the drainage system of the station’s Victorian trainshed. A large area of the roof was covered in lichen growth which will be replaced to continue to provide essential protection from the elements and make it a lighter, brighter environment.

The works completed over the Christmas period included the installation of 201 no. polycarbonate roof panels within the footprint of the station concourse using MEWPS; the launch of two scaffold travelling decks under the trainshed roof from the north end of the station (Exchange Square); and the installation of 30 metres of scaffold platform on the island between platforms 7 and 8.

The roof renewal work is currently expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

York Recontrol: The York Recontrol is anticipated to improve signalling operations generating capacity within the operations workforce. These enhancements will enable more effective resource allocation, ultimately improving overall East Coast performance.

All planned works were successfully completed during the Christmas period and within Right Time Hand back. The project entered into service three new WestCAD V4 workstations with DCR / DRS functionality; relocated the workstations into the York Service Delivery Centre supporting co-location of industry operational functions; and saw the commissioning of the new Westlock Computer Based Interlocking following the re-platforming of the existing North 1, North 2 and South SSIs.

The commissioning was well planned and delivered, though reporting on telecoms works and issues are to be reviewed and improved for future works.

Agar Grove bridge demolition and reconstruction: The Agar Grove bridge, which spans eight tracks on the Midland Main Line, was originally constructed in the 1800s. Over the years it has suffered severe corrosion and section loss to main girders, requiring constant monitoring. This reconstruction eliminates a safety risk to all users and protects the route against service affecting failures and reputational damage.

All works were completed over a nine-day blockade and include: the lowering & raising of OLE; replacement of section insulators; removal of existing bridge jack arches & beams; reduction of abutments; installation of new cills, beams, parapets, and OLE furniture; installation of permanent formwork and reinforcement for concrete deck (82T); and the installation of service ducts through bridge beams for post blockade connections.

Demolition took longer than anticipated due to difficulty in removing isolated beams, and an investigation is ongoing into a RIDDOR accident with slinger personnel. Positive feedback was received from residents during the works.

TransPennine Route Upgrade

HUL4/32 Underbridge Replacement: The TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is upgrading the route between Manchester and York and includes track remodelling and overhead line installation to deliver line speed increases and greater reliability. Work planned for the Christmas period included the replacement of the HUL4/32 Underbridge at Osmondthorpe Lane in Leeds.

This involved: the reconstruction of the underbridge using two self-propelled modular transporters and an off-track crane (for installation of four cill units); relocation of existing services onto two temporary scaffold service bridges; and the removal and reinstallation of 184 metres of associated track works utilising road rail vehicles, a panel lifting system and two Tampers, including welding and stressing. During the same possession, additional works included Neville Hill TSC follow up works and Track undertack crossing installation at Cross Gates. A full road closure was in place from 19-31 December.

Unfortunately, security at this location was a known issue prior to commencing works and robust arrangements with security teams and British Transport Police (BTP) support were in place. During the works, a trespasser threatened site staff resulting in BTP involvement.

North West & Central Region

North Wembley OLE works: Over the Christmas period, Network Rail Construction Services OLE team (Principal Contractor) planned to undertake the renewal of two OLE conductors (Slow Lines) and four OLE Neutral Sections (Fast & Slow Lines) at North Wembley, using the OLE Wiring Train (OLET), supported by four Mobile Elevating Working Platforms (MEWPs). The work was undertaken in an all-lines possession of the West Coast Mainline between 01:00 Christmas Day and 05:00 on 27 December. The DC Lines were also blocked until 07:00 on Boxing Day. Works completed included 2 x 1,457 metre contact wire renewals with various associated catenary splices, neutral section and SPS (small parts steel) renewals. 

Due to some switching issues delaying the isolation at the start of the possession, the planned renewal of the Down Fast Neutral Section on wire run A131 was cancelled in line with the Project Contingency Plan (PCP).

Wigan to Bolton electrification (Lostock Junction): Work done to enable the Wigan to Bolton electrification scheme to be energised included removing the existing Permanently Earthed Section (PES) that has been installed at the Lostock Jn (CU01) and Wigan North Western station (CU10) section of the project to enable section proving of the route will commence. The works saw successful energisation and section proving of the Wigan to Bolton route. No accidents or incidents were reported. Before the blockade a significant cable theft threatened energisation, however, cable was replaced in time for the blockade thanks to the hard work of all the team.

Northchurch Tunnel track renewal: The festive period saw 440 yards of track renewed through a single bore tunnel at Northchurch, part of the crucial four-line section that runs freight and passengers in and out of central London.

The full volume of works was achieved including: 440 yards plus two 18-yard ramps renewed; 60-foot panels uplifted with a Kirow crane and ballast excavated; 300mm of new ballast dropped by MFS+ on top of sand blanket replacement geo composite; new CEN60 CWR installed throughout.

The site was fully welded and stressed, tamped, and handed back to traffic on time with a 60mph TSR.

Hanslope South drainage renewal: The New Year period saw a 30-hour possession used for a planned 262-yards 6-foot drainage renewal on the LEC1 line between Northampton and Milton Keynes. A full excavation was then refilled with new pipes and catchpits surrounded by pea shingle and topped off with new ballast.

The completed works will improve the drainage in the area which will future proof the track formation of the two fast lines either side of the 6-foot drain.

240 yards of drainage, including four new concrete catchpits, was successfully installed. The site was tamped and handed back at linespeed (125mph). Contingency plan cut off timings were unfortunately hit which led to a shortfall of 22 yards, but this did successfully ensure a right-time hand back.

This was the first site for many years that included the installation of concrete catchpits. Despite installation being slower than hoped, many lessons were learnt for future works.

Garrison Street track renewal: A Christmas blockade saw the delivery of check curve panels in two phases: Phase 1 – Garrison Street on the Down Fast; and Phase 2 – Garrison Street Bi-Directional. The total volume planned for both phases is 1,304 yards of rerailing and resleepering, and 20 yards of rerailing. The renewal was carried out to remove life expired bull head, jointed check rail componentry and wooden sleepers, and to replace it with new CWR CEN56 Rail with check rail and concrete sleepers.

The full volume of works was achieved on Garrison Street Down Fast, including 880 yards of rerailing and re sleepering and 20 yards of rerailing. The site was fully welded and stressed and right-time hand back was achieved at line speed. No accidents or incidents were reported.

Various delays on site were encountered due to difficulties in moving points to allow train movements, a Kirow crane breakdown, and delays in pre-curved panel installation. This meant that a decision was made to curtail Phase 2 of the renewal on the Bi-directional to ensure that full volume was completed.

Scotland’s Railway

Inverness Signalling modernisation: The objectives of this project were the recontrol and relocking of the Inverness NX Panel control area to a CBI interlocking and WESTCAD VDU control system; the renewal of life expired axle counters and REED track circuits to a Frauscher axle counter system; the recovery of Clachnaharry Canal Bridge axle counter and replacement with sequential track circuit operation; the renewal of legacy CCTV transmission, camera, and, for Rose Street and Raigmore, MCB CCTV level crossings; and TPWS fitments to improve safety.

The works on 2 January introduced the new Westcad 4.0 upgraded control system, brought into service the Frauscher Axle Counters / TPWS, changed over the CCTV cameras, and recovered the Culloden Sidings and associate ground frames.

No issues were encountered.

Calton South Tunnel track renewal: The scope of work for Calton South Tunnel was a Cat 11 (Rerail, resleeper, reballast) on the East side of Edinburgh Waverley, between 0m 591yds and 0m 1013yds. The work involved: four engineering trains; a plain line tamper; an AFM; a Kirow 250 crane; and dumper trucks which used to transfer spoil and new ballast to and from tunnel.

The work successfully completed 422 yards of Cat 11 plain line, with a possession overrun due to S&T issues associated PFPI of 30 mins.

Southern Region

Horley Subway deck replacement: Horley Subway is single-span underbridge which carries four third rail electrified tracks over a footpath. The structure comprises two structural forms, iron trough profile, and iron trough girders. This work will extend the life span of the underbridge, replacing it with a more reliable deck structural element.

Works completed included the removal of the track and ballast; the removal of the trough girder deck supporting the Up Slow line; installation of pre cast concrete units which composed of two cill beams, slab bridge deck, and robust kerb, reinstatement of the track (welding/tamping); and track monitoring which was carried out for seven days after the works were completed.

A two-hour delay occurred when handing back the fast line possession. Due to this, stressing was curtailed to week 42 as per the contingency plan.

Brookwood S&C renewal: This project undertook the removal of life expired componentry in the Brookwood Station area in Wessex, including the abandonment of 2254AB crossover. It also saw the upgrade of localised POE and track circuitry equipment to modern equivalent form and amendment of the Panel at Woking ASC.

Works completed included: The complete renewal of 2252AB, 2250AB, 2253AB & 2251AB – NR60MK2 switch and crossing units and associated and un-associated plain line track with the abandonment of 2254AB; Renewal of Platform 1 at Brookwood 260 metres; eight new TD’s and five new Mk8 Hook switches; renewal of 3km of conductor rail; 60 metres of drainage works and relining of pipe; and panel alterations in Woking signalling centre.

The work encountered a number of issues including a signal module failure and a train being rerouted incorrectly from Woking causing a significant delay.

Wales & Western Region

Hayes to Southall Headspan Conversions: The Paddington to Hayes region of the Great Western Main Line has many headspans that need replacement. The existing MK3 equipment is being superseded with a boom style structure and support for the existing contact/catenary wires using mechanical independent registration.

High profile incidents in September 2022 (during the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral) and December 2023 (when hundreds of passengers were left trapped on trains) highlight the scale of disruption caused by failed spanwire structures.

Completed works over the Christmas period included full headspan to portal conversions at four structures: J14/18, J14/19, J14/20 (mid point anchor arrangement), and J14/21.

Llanharan Footbridge Installation: Llanharan is located on the South Wales Main Line where there are two current high-risk crossings and one crossing previously closed illegally. The objective of this scheme is to install a bridleway bridge to facilitate the legal closure of all three crossings, with an immediate benefit on Temporary Speed Restriction (TSR) costs impacted by high-risk crossings.

Over a 52-hour blockade the main span of the footbridge was installed, along with both sets of stairs and north-side ramps (12 sections).

No significant issues were met during the blockade.

Performance and hand backs

Of the planned 2,178 network-wide possessions that took place between 20 December 2024 and 2 January 2025, 12 service-impacting possession overrun incidents occurred.

The most significant possession overruns involved two major ‘red ranked’ schemes. The first occurred in the Doncaster and Leeds areas associated with South Kirkby resignalling, where correspondence testing as part of the final commissioning took longer than anticipated, incurring a total of 4,021 delay minutes.

The second occurred in the Cambridge area where a delay collecting a worksite marker board prior to a possession being shortened back resulted in 354 delay minutes to two Freight Operators and passengers of six Train Operators.

Given that the total number of possession overrun delay minutes incurred was 5,027 minutes across ten incidents and the total number of booked possessions across the wider business was 2,178 this represents a successful possession handback rate of 99.5% which is slightly above the regularly achieved 99% right-time handback rate.

Safety

Over the period, there were a total of three reported incidents, of which one was a lost time accident and two were no lost time accidents.

All three accidents occurred on worksites delivering major ‘red ranked’ schemes. The lost time accident occurred at Agar Grove Bridge Demolition Reconstruction and the two no-lost-time accidents occurred at Foxton S&C Renewal Further.

Thank you

The commitment of those staff working over the holidays to make the network safer and more reliable is a credit to the whole industry. Rail Engineer sends its heartfelt thanks to all who gave up their time over the festive period.

Image credit: Network Rail