12 News Special – Christmas engineering

A look at some of the extensive engineering projects carrier out over the Christmas and New Year period.

AS USUAL Network Rail scheduled a huge amount of engineering work over the festive period, with the latest including very large projects forming part of the £1.2billion East Coast Upgrade. However, this year was rather different given NR had to comply with COVID-19 regulations to keep the workforce as safe as possible. It was also somewhat different because of the latest Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions that were introduced in the South East before Christmas, which had the effect of dampening an already weakened demand from people for travel. This meant the level of works had very little impact on the few remaining travellers.

One of the largest projects took place at King’s Cross station, where the old Camden Sewer was diverted and replaced in just nine days, which involved lifting all four running tracks immediately south of Gasworks Tunnel. Work began as soon as the final train had departed on December 24, with the first phase completed by December 31, which allowed a limited service to resume. Full running resumed on January 4. In addition to the sewer replacement, new overhead line and signalling equipment were installed in readiness for the reopening of the third Gasworks Tunnel bore and changes to the track layout.

The next large stage of the project took place between January 16 and 24 when the tunnel box for the Werrington Dive Under was slid beneath the ECML using large jacks, a first for UK rail engineering. For nine days there was a limited service between Grantham and Peterborough.

Throughout January, weekend engineering works continued to install new overhead line equipment and improve the signalling at King’s Cross, as well as carry out maintenance work between Peterborough and Hitchin, with direct train services suspended between the two stations.

Meanwhile, at Leeds NR completed the construction of Platform 0 over

Christmas. It will initially be used during times of disruption and for scheduled services from the May timetable change.

Further south, work continued at Gatwick airport on the station’s upgrade and rebuild. Over Christmas the final span of the site access bridge across Platforms 3 to 7 was lifted in and this will allow work to continue throughout 2021. Strengthening works and

piling continued to prepare island Platforms 3 and 4 for the arrival of a new escalator and stairs to improve accessibility around the station. Piling has started on the island Platforms 5 and 6. These will be widened and new escalators and stairs will be installed to connect them to a brand new station concourse above. In addition, enabling and drainage works began for a new back-of-house building for Gatwick Airport employees, which is due to open in 2022.

Elsewhere across the UK rail network other projects, large and small, took place, ranging from station revamps to track and signalling renewal, most of which were completed on time. The only major issue was the partial collapse of section of brick viaduct wall near Vauxhall, which delayed track upgrades and caused South Western Railway to suspend and alter some services. Given the challenges of working to COVID-19 safety regulations, the ‘orange army’ is to be congratulated on what has to be one of the most successful series of festive engineering projects in NR’s history.

The first part of a vital improvement to one of South East London’s busiest railways was completed in the heart of Lewisham between December 25-29. A junction crossing all four lines from Hither Green into the heart of London was renewed to improve the reliability of trains in the area. A second, three-day project began on New Year’s Day to renew a junction nearer to St John’s where lines from Lewisham join the main route into town. The work replaced equipment dating from the 1970s. (All photos Network Rail)

Trackwork replacement and upgrades took place along the West Coast Main Line, including in the Euston area.

Foundation work underway at Gatwick Airport’s Platform 5 during the Christmas period. The major project aims to provide much more space for passengers and is a joint undertaking by Network Rail and the airport.

Several points and sections of track were renewed at London’s Liverpool Street station during the period. This included remodelling the layout and lengthening of Platforms 16-17 to accommodate nine-car Class 345s. Other works were also performed along the Great Eastern Main Line.

The new Platform 0 at Leeds was completed over the festive period and is now available for use during periods of disruption. It is due to enter scheduled use from the May timetable change.