Derby-Belper concrete slab trackbed

[sprinterguy]

Around Duffield if I remember correctly, and definitely between Derby and Belper, I've noticed the remains of what must have been the old up slow line: The trackbed is completely intact, as much to my surprise the trackbase is formed of continuous concrete slabs. The fastening bolts for the rails are still present.

I'd like a bit more information on this if anyone knows. I've read in the past that in the 1960s BR experimented with continuous concrete slab track bases, but this is the first time I've come across the arrangement, and it runs for a good couple of miles. So, was this one of the experimental stretches, or was it put in with an eye for it being permanent following the trials? Does anyone know when it was installed, and for that matter, when the up slow line between Duffield and derby was lifted? Were there many sites on the UK rail network that had concrete slab track bases installed?

Any answers would be much appreciated.

 

[Tomnick]

I can't add much at the moment, but I do remember reading that this was indeed one of the experimental sites. Not sure whether the Up Goods (?) was removed by or at the time of resignalling into Derby PSB, or whether it remained until later.

 

[Tamperkid]

The channel tunnel is concrete.

 

[TomBoyRacer]

Not sure whether the Up Goods (?) was removed by or at the time of resignalling into Derby PSB, or whether it remained until later.

It was certainly still around in the 1970s / 80s. I've seen a picture of the APT on said track. I suspect it may have survived up to the abandonment of the Denby branch. Perhaps someone can confirm this? There is also some between Nottingham and Grantham with a set of points going off to one of the old colliery connections. The rails have been lifted but the slabs still remain. The only other place that immediately springs to mind is Eglinton Street tunnel in Glasgow which was put in place when the line was electrified. Don't know if it's still there in it's original form.

 

[Saltleyman]

It was installed as a experimental test track for a track base for the Channel Tunnel by the BR research facility at Derby sometime in the 1970's.
It had an 80mph speed limit 10mph slower than the "up main" which it replaced.

 

[Pumbaa]

Were there many sites on the UK rail network that had concrete slab track bases installed?

Any answers would be much appreciated.

There is currently continuous concrete slab from Macclesfield north through the tunnel for around 3/4 mile, and somewhere else north of Congleton.

 

[Old Timer]

Concrete slab track was installed between Camden Road tunnel and Belsize Tunnel on the former goods lines as part of the Midland Suburban Electrification because of clearance issues in the 1970s.

Concrete slab track has also been installed on the East London Line, and just to the north of Crewe on the Manchester lines, there is a section of concrete track which was installed by Balfour Beatty research as part the development of a new construction method.

Originally concrete track was intended to be installed at locations where the structural clearance required to track to be retained in a very tight tolerance.

Balfour Beatty Rail Research have developed a new method of ballast gluing, which has been installed at Marks Tey, by the bridge.

 

[90019]

I believe there are a few sections of it around Edinburgh and Glasgow.

 

[Old Timer]

I believe there are a few sections of it around Edinburgh and Glasgow.

I recall there is a section near to Exhibition station in Glasgow

 

[swt_passenger]

Southampton tunnel was redone last Christmas using slab track for W10 clearance purposes.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Very interesting read this, I have passed it hundreds of times and always wondered what it was, looking forward to see what else comes up!

 

[Wyvern]

The original experiments by the Research Division was a length between Duffield Church and Breadsall. It was laid in the down cess annd the running line was simply slewed across for the period of the test.

The slab can still be seen in the cess. As someone suggested "A mile or so of whatever shall we do with this."

I'll try and find the account I have of the work.

 

[westcoaster]

There is also a long section from just north of st pancras int'l ll to farringdon on the TL core route.

 

[sprinterguy]

Loads of interesting responses thanks guys!

I should have mentioned that I know that concrete slab track bases are a reasonably common occurence in selected tunnels (where, as Old Timer says, clearances are restricted), but it struck me as unusual that a track section out in the open had been so treated. These answers have helped me understand what that partcular section was all about quite a bit

 

[Darandio]

The channel tunnel is concrete.

So is my driveway. Welcome.

 

[MadCommuter]

I recall there is a section near to Exhibition station in Glasgow

Yes, this goes right through to a point just beyond Dalmarnock. Quite a lengthy section, almost all of it in tunnel.

 

[Trog]

There is also a short current test length for concrete slab with encapsulated rails, on the line between Crewe and Kiddsgrove.

 

[jopsuk]

Isn't most of the East London line, including opne-air sections, slab as well?

 

[gordonthemoron]

There was a section of concrete based track between Bingham and Radcliffe (westbound), it was lifted in the 90s I think although the base may still be there

 

[swt_passenger]

Isn't most of the East London line, including opne-air sections, slab as well?

Basically it is the existing slab track through the tunnel, new slab through Whitechapel, up the steep gradient over the GEML bridge, through Shoreditch and then round the curve onto the Kingsland Viaduct. On the main N/S run once on the original viaduct, and in the open air south of the river, it seems to be conventional ballasted track.

 

[Wyvern]

Right folks. I didn’t want to simply trust to memory - it was a long time ago. The first actual
development work by British Railways into PACT, or “Paved Concrete Track” (a British Rail
registered trademark) was begun in 1967.

At that time ORE, the international research organisation, was looking at ballastless track for
underground systems. BR’s Research Division were asked to construct a site at Radcliffe on
Trent, alongside the running lines. There were four ORE sections, sponsored respectively by
London Transport, Dutch Railways, SNCF and Swiss Railways. There were then two
prototype sections designed by British Rail and a control section.

One of the BR sections was developed further in 1971, in conjunction with McGregor of
Chesterfield using a variant of their wire guided slip-form paver.

Two lengths were laid. One was an extension at Radcliffe on Trent with sharp curves and with
switches and crossings. The other was a straight length at Duffield to test performance in
normal traffic conditions with fairly high axle loads.

 

[Aictos]

I'm sure part of the Thameslink route between Kentish Town and Blackfriars/Moorgate has a concrete slab trackbed as there were notices in the 317s when running over there asking passengers not to flush the toilet while in that area.

 

[Hydro]

I recall there is a section near to Exhibition station in Glasgow

There's a fair bit of it around there, and it's not in great nick. Never heard of twist and cyclic top on slab track until I ran through there with the TRU a while back.

Slab track is quite common. You'll normally find it in tunnels, Soton tunnel had it laid last Christmas as part of W10 re-gauging.

 

[First class]

James Street - Moorfields (W) - Liverpool Central (W) - James Street is concrete.

Leeds St Portals - Moorfields again is concrete.

Liverpool Central - just before Brunswick is also concrete slab