railfan99
Established Member
It may come down to a question of available funding and competent volunteers in sufficient numbers, as well as the availability of suitable equipment - costly ballast tampers not often seen - and support from management, but which longer (say five miles - eight km - in length and above) UK heritage railways have at least fairly well maintained tracks?
Not looking for perfection.
I'm no engineer but some things that spring to mind from a layman's perspective (apologies if any glaring errors):
* reasonable ride quality in Mk 1 coaches or DMUs at 40kmh if that speed can be attained
* extremely rare to have broken rail(s)
* sleepers in good repair whether concrete or wooden, including Pandrol clips or other fixtures
* sleepers spaced at the recommended number per mile/km
* ballast is in at least reasonable condition
* cess drains/culverts or other means of dealing with excess water are present
* weed growth in the four foot and environs curtailed or even eliminated
* points and crossovers have the correct timbers that are in good shape
This isn't meant to be an attack on some cash-strapped heritage railways, far from it, as that would be disheartening to gracious and selfless individuals.
Positive thoughts please.
Not looking for perfection.
I'm no engineer but some things that spring to mind from a layman's perspective (apologies if any glaring errors):
* reasonable ride quality in Mk 1 coaches or DMUs at 40kmh if that speed can be attained
* extremely rare to have broken rail(s)
* sleepers in good repair whether concrete or wooden, including Pandrol clips or other fixtures
* sleepers spaced at the recommended number per mile/km
* ballast is in at least reasonable condition
* cess drains/culverts or other means of dealing with excess water are present
* weed growth in the four foot and environs curtailed or even eliminated
* points and crossovers have the correct timbers that are in good shape
This isn't meant to be an attack on some cash-strapped heritage railways, far from it, as that would be disheartening to gracious and selfless individuals.
Positive thoughts please.