It was very much business as usual for the High Output Track Renewals team, as they worked to sieve and replace ballast just north of Welton in the Daventry area.

With 1,200 people and a fleet of six factory trains, Network Rail is one of the largest High Output fleets in the world, with further growth on the way as it looks to renew the rail network with minimal disruption to passengers.

Mark Carne, Chief Executive, joined some of the High Output team for the nightshift in Northampton on 24 August).

“I was very impressed by the team, from the hard working engineers clearing the ballast to create the start point for machine, through to the skilful machine operatives and the thoughtful supervision and leadership on site,” said Mark Carne, Chief Executive, Network Rail.

The fleet

Ben Brooks, High Output Track Renewals project director said:
“The team currently has six factory trains in its fleet – four ballast cleaning systems (BCS) and two track renewal systems (TRS).

“BCS trains sieve and replace ballast, typically processing 1,000 tonnes of both new and life-expired material each night. The TRS removes old rail and sleepers and replaces them with modern assets that last longer.”

Busy bank holiday

Starting over the bank holiday weekend, ballast cleaning will be taking place on the line from Ardleigh to Manningtree in Anglia and in Williamsfield, which is the most northerly point of the London North Western route on the West Coast Main Line.

The line between Coventry and Rugby will also see one of the team’s ballast cleaning machines in action.

Meanwhile, over in Preston, the team will be working to deliver more than 500 yards of rail and sleeper renewals just outside of Preston Station, removing redundant spring hoop clip sleepers in the process.

(Source: Network Rail)