Abstract: This article covers the history of railway infrastructure maintenance in the UK with some details of the machinery now in use in track laying and maintenance. At the time of privatisation of the UK rail industry in the 1990s, maintenance was outsourced to private companies but gradually the company now responsible for infrastructure (Network Rail) has taken operations back into central control. Track renewal, especially switch and crossing renewal, has been leased to private contractors. Machinery brought into use during this period includes tampers, high capacity cranes, stoneblowers, switch and crossing and plain line grinders, a track renewal train, ballast cleaning and track relaying systems, and track construction machines. Details are given of the manufacturers and suppliers. Track inspection technology is also being upgraded.
Publication Year: 2004
Publication Date: 2004-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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