The track removed from the Severn Tunnel during its recent upgrade will be repurposed as sidings at the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE).
Instead of discarding the track from this year’s renewal, Network Rail has successfully recycled all four miles of it. Half of the track has been allocated to the GCRE rail innovation facility in development in Wales, while the remaining half has been processed for use by Network Rail’s maintenance team.
The second shipment of track from the Severn Tunnel has been dispatched to the GCRE facility near Onllwyn.
This recent delivery, which arrived over the summer, adds to the two miles of track received by GCRE last year, which are now in use at the site.
In July, the Severn Tunnel underwent a 16-day closure while engineers completed a £10 million project, renewing the entire track for the Wales-bound route, which was accomplished on time and within budget.
In the past, replaced track panels would be discarded; however, they are now being repurposed for use in other areas of the railway network or, in some cases on heritage lines, as seen earlier this summer on the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway.
“We’re delighted we’ve been able to recycle and find a new home for six miles of track from the Severn Tunnel over the past two summers.
While this track can no longer be used for operation at high speed within the Severn Tunnel, it is perfect for use as sidings at GCRE, where it could potentially last forever with trains in effect sitting on the track rather than running on it.
Brian Paynter, Network Rail Project Director
“It’s great news that we have been able to extend our partnership with Network Rail to secure additional recycled materials from the Severn Tunnel upgrade for reuse at the Global Centre of Rail Excellence.
At our site, the two miles of panels will be given new life as part of the construction of the depot sidings area of our facility.
Simon Jones, GCRE Ltd Chief Executive
The Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) is a significant new development for rail and mobility research, testing, and innovation underway in South Wales. It will be the UK’s inaugural net-zero facility in operation.
Responses
Shame about the 3 Class 360/2s not being used anymore. East Midlands Railway could use of inherited them to work alongside with the Class 360/1.
And downgraded to Class 360/1 to be used on the EMR Connect/Luton Airport Express service between London St. Pancras International-Kettering and Corby.