Hamilton Square track renewals

Track wear on the Merseyside tunnel loop system, UK, led to Network Rail implementing track renewal schemes at Hamilton Square on the Wirral Line and Ormskirk and Blundellsands on the Northern Line. Slab track was replaced at the Hamilton Square site during an 18-day blockade in August 2005. The work was conducted by Birse Rail Ltd and WA Developments. The worst affected section was at Burrowing Junction. Details are given of the project. The challenges were associated with breaking up and removing the existing concrete slab in the limited space, moving the rails into and along the tunnel and fixing the rails and base plates into position. Once the concrete section was completed, Pandrol VIPA base plates were attached to it. This was followed by laying the continuously welded rail and casting Tec Roc grouting around each bolt.