Network Rail and i-Plas of Halifax had a deal agreed back in 2009, with 200,000 recycled plastic sleepers ordered. I don't know how that progressed, other than i-Plas subsequently went into administration in 2012.
The scientific work was conducted at the University of Manchester, who might be able to assist you further in that respect, and the testing (might have been at Old Dalby) was positive, with no reasons for not using plastic sleepers in place of wooden sleepers for switches and crossovers.
The only downside is that permanent way are moving to standardised switches and crossovers, with standard concrete sleepers/crossbearers underneath, so there's going to be a decline in the amount of sleepers needed that can accommodate bespoke S&C designs/layouts.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...ce-wooden-sleepers-with-recycled-plastic.html
The track operators have already identified three freight lines and work is scheduled to start in August on the switchover.
Network Rail currently replaces 200,000 timber sleepers a year along with environmentally inefficient concrete versions.
The track programme will see the new eco-rated dark grey sleepers, made from a revolutionary recycled composite, being fitted to the track bed to hold the rails.
Halifax-based manufacturing company i-plas developed the futuristic material, which will help reduce maintenance delays, assist sustainability targets and increase environmental benefits.
Following trials conducted on a stretch of private track by researchers at the University of Manchester, the roll-out of the recycled sleeper will extend across the entire rail network.
The new-age track supports are made from 100 per cent recycled heavy duty plastic and have a minimum 30-year life cycle. They are vandal-proof and flame-retardant - and they do not twist or warp, become porous or degrade.
The sleepers are made using a unique blend of waste that otherwise would have been heading for landfill and its developers claim a minimum of 80,000 tonnes of plastic a year will be diverted from rubbish tips to be used on the track upgrade programme. They are also 100% recyclable at the end of their working life.
The new eco-sleepers will reinforce the green credentials of travelling by rail, which is already more environmentally friendly than journeys by car or plane.
A normal suburban train uses, per passenger, about 45-130 grams of CO2 per kilometre, compared to about 330-460 grams CO2 per kilometre for air travel and about 145-260 grams CO2 per kilometre for cars.
A spokesman for Network Rail said the company is aiming to hit a target of using 23 per cent recycled material by 2012.
Every tonne of plastic material diverted away from landfill and into recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 1.66 tonnes. In comparison, producing one tonne of concrete generates almost a tonne of CO2 emissions.
Howard Waghorn, Managing Director of i-plas, said: "Our recycled building material is so adaptable and can be used to replace preformed concrete products, steel or timber for specific applications; in this instance it will replace wooden railway sleepers. "This is a huge British innovation and one that we are truly proud of. Network Rail is certainly visionary to grasp this new concept and drive it forward."
Fellow director Keith Hutchison said work had already started on developing the i-plas material to be used as kerbstones to replace the current concrete versions.
