Replacing Tracks with Network Rail

Network Rail invited me down to Whitstable in Kent to show me what goes on when a section of the railways is closed, and the team of orange descend onto the tracks to work non-stop to replace rails that are almost fifty years old.

My thanks to Chris from Network Rail for the invite and access. Thanks also to Daren Smith, a Construction Manaager also with Network Rail.

[MattBidewell]

"Can you do a Bane impression?"


Underrated moment.

[ianhenderson]

I've got nothing else to say other than what a thoroughly excellent, informative and well-explained film this is.

[uzaiyaro]

I remember when I was waiting for a train on one platform with trackwork on the other. They had just replaced the old wooden sleepers with concrete ones. A side effect of this is that you cannot have gapped rails—the shock from the train will damage the sleepers over time. So anytime you see concrete sleepers, the track is necessarily continuously welded, or CWT I believe it's called. Anyway, I showed interest in what they were doing, and they brought me down to have a closer look.

That wasn't the best part though. The best part is that they let me do a weld! They basically attach single-use ceramic pots to the track ready to be welded, then fill the pots with thermite. They light the thing with a huge torch (can't remember if it's propane or oxy acetylene, though) which I got to do, which melts the whole thing and leaves behind a big chunk on the rail.

The ceramic pot is smashed off with a big sledgehammer and you're left with a big chunk on the rail. This is cut off and the surface of the rail ground smooth with a rail grinder, although it still takes several months of track wearing and probably several grinder passes in order to completely smooth out the bump after welding has been complete. Track grinding can sometimes be done while the line is operational, or at least overnight. There are some high speed rail grinders out there which will do the job at something like 60-80km/h, while the line is operational.

But long story short, I got to do a weld on a main line that has had thousands of trains go over it since, and probably even a million passengers. It hasn't caused a derailment yet and this was a good decade ago, so I'm guessing I didn't screw it up, which is nice.

What an experience though. Even in "winter" (Australian winter, so maybe like 5-10c), the heat from the torches and the welding was enough to keep you relatively toasty.

Was a pretty awesome experience as a kid.

[networker]

Hi mate im a network rail track maintenance engineer im glad you came to see our world and show people what we do thank you

[gilles]

Great video. As ProRail employee (The Dutch Network Rail) I recognize the pride of these guys. These works aren't seen much by public but it is really great to see all the plans made in advance work out so very well in just a few days. All the machines, trains and people operating like a giant ballet performance.
By the way, Geoff, congratulations on 200K subscribers!

[andylee]

Richard the RRV op is a top bloke and I have worked with him for years railway brotherhood.

[Alto]

Chris is very good at explaining things. Love to hear more from him!

[TDlovestrains]

Congratulations on 200k. You deserve it

[JordannaMills]

Was great to meet you out on site during the renewal! Awesome video, hope to see you at future projects!

[ianjones]

Spoilt buggers, we did all that by hand. When I were a lad lol. Loved working on Pway. Nothing like ducking, as the Efluvia was flushed as the train approached at 75mph.
Passengers never appreciate any Pway work .
Great vid Geoff. 👍

[iamdarrenfrazer]

1:42 Workington 1972 - My hometown! My Grandad worked at the steelworks so he could of made that piece of track.

[gh]

0.49 that magic click from normal clothing to PPE. That is genius Geoff 👏👏

[musiqtee]

Watching trackbeds being constructed, rails and sleepers aligned, yellow (they always are) engineering trains rolling slowly by just two feet away... It just never gets old, or what? The complex profile geometry between wheelsets and rails is poetry in motion...! 👍

[nicklaylandguitar]

Love a fresh Geoff Marshall vídeo to cheer up my afternoon (in Brazil)

[otterylexa]

Very interesting look at what is going on when the railway is closed for track work. Would have liked a question about how much of that removed material gets recycled (or even a whole video).

[traviss]

Fascinating !! Only ten minutes happly would have watch an hour or two ! Enjoyed. More please

[drivercoach]

Thanks Geoff for a brilliant insight to the work of Network Rail, 3 trains in one possession takes some working out and needs everybody working well together

[michaeldwyer]

Great excursion - and good to see bunch of engineers so enthusiastic about their project. Many thanks also for the glimpse of the facade of Whitstable Station. I've travelled through the station many times on the train, but never seen the exterior. It looks like a Southern Railway rebuild from about 1925.

[ednorton]

The still functioning mainline rail in my old college town (where we walk the track on football Saturdays to get to the stadium) bears the date "1938."

[WillowProductions]

Whitstable is a lovely town! I’ve been there! It’s amazing.