Project : Belfast-Bangor Track Relaying

Client : Northern Ireland Railway Co Ltd

This contract involves the re-lay/ renewal of 18.4km of twin track on the Belfast to Bangor line in Northern Ireland, and to remodel the approaches to the recently refurbished Bangor Station.

A notable component of the works, is that Mowlem Railways modified some of its plant specially to work on the differing Irish gauge, already having a significant amount of plant to gauge available, primarily from (the wholly owned subsidiary) Barclay Mowlem in Australia.

The project is between Lagan Junction and Bangor Station. The line serves one of the major population centres outside the capital, and is also a sea side resort. This line was the first in NIR to use (homebuilt) diesel rail cars.

The aim of the project was relay both lines between Lagan Junction and Bangor Station, while operating a partial service, by single line working over half the line at a time.

Scope


• Construction of a temporary siding
• Installation of two new crossovers, and removal of the old “emergency” crossover at Rockport.
• Removal of five redundant stations.
• Removal of the existing track and recovery of any reusable materials.
• Installation of new drainage, ballast &track.
• Waterproofing of various bridges and viaducts.
• Replacement of roof beams of two subways.
• Completion of a new cable duct route.
• Installation of a new cable duct route, testing of the cables, connection to the existing signaling system and re-commissioning the system, and the installation of new equipment to supplement the existing signaling system.
• Relay of the spur line into the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum.
• Installation of a new switch and crossing layout at Bangor Station.