We have successfully completed our August Bank Holiday works.
Our teams finished 560 projects over the Bank Holiday to improve your journeys and reliability. Here is a glimpse into some of the projects that were completed over the weekend.
A digital railway:
We made significant progress on our East Coast Digital Programme on the East Coast Main Line. Our teams installed 56 new housing cabinets for the equipment needed to support the digital railway of the future.
Our route is now fully prepared for the advanced new operating system that will allow for continuous in-cab communication by 2025.
This project will eventually see traditional signals removed from the side of the track and replaced with an innovative digital signalling system.
Staying on track:
We upgraded track between Wolverton and Milton Keynes.
Our teams used a specialist rail mounted Kirow crane to lift out old track, including rails and sleepers.
We then installed 628m of new track that will help maintain reliable passenger and freight services on the West Coast Main Line.
A signal for new signals:
Our teams improved a key section of the signalling system on a busy stretch of the West Coast Main Line through Cheshire.
We upgraded new signals – the railway’s traffic lights – between Prestbury, Macclesfield and Congleton.
We began the project in July 2021 and have since upgraded 56 signals on the Line. The control of the signals has also been transferred to our new state-of-the-art Manchester Rail Operating Centre. The upgraded signals will ensure trains run safely and on time to improve your future journeys.
Our signallers pulled the final lever in the manually operated Macclesfield Signal Box on Friday 26 August.
Dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s
Our teams successfully installed new railway crossings – junctions for trains – at London Charing Cross and New Cross, London.
We installed new track and packed in new ballast – the support stone beneath the track – to ensure smoother and more reliable journeys.
Bringing in the iron
We replaced an entire level crossing – where the railway and road meet – in Iron Acton, South Gloucestershire.
Our teams removed the old crossing and then lifted in new track and panels. The new panels will allow cars and cyclists to cross the railway more safely.