Warkworth UTX
June 2020
Stobart Rail contacted Smarttrax Rail requesting their expertise at a site where a new UTX was required to be installed under a twin track section of the East Coast Main Line to the north of Newcastle.
The existing stone built culvert had deteriorated beyond repair. A new design showed the installation of a new reinforced plastic UTX, new head wall at the inlet and 3 catch pits to tie back in to the existing outlet. The redundant stone culvert would then be filled with grout.
Utilising standard rules of the route Saturday night possessions, the core works were split into two parts. Part one involved the installation of the new inlet headwall and pipe work up to catchpit 1 in the down cess. Part two involved the installation of catchpit 1 and pipework under both tracks into the up cess.
Both these parts involved the installation of temporary works (trench support) as the excavation was up to 2.2m below the existing sleeper bottom. Works that took place over two weekends, allowed the track to be re-opened at line speed of 110mph. This was monitored by Smarttrax engineers without any issues arising.
The final works of installing new catch pits and pipework in the cess beyond the track support zone was completed with the tracks open to traffic under ALO conditions. Smarttrax Rail provided input from the planning stage and along with development work were instrumental in the safe and accurate implementation of the works including:
- Setting out of site with total station equipment
- Provision of site installation engineers
- Provision of site supervision
- Provision of track staff (labour)
- Track hand over
- Track monitoring (including preparation of the Track Monitoring Plan)
- CRT assessments
- Void mate
The project was delivered on time and to budget.
