Project : Didcot Junction

Client : Railtrack Western Zone

Train movements in the Didcot area were limited by route functions between the Main lines and the Oxford lines or Didcot Station in either direction, thus impacting timetables of passenger trains and the operation of engineering trains.

To reduce these restrictions Mowlem Railways have installed two additional crossovers that duplicate the existing ladder and now allow trains to travel in both directions simultaneously, thus supporting the enhanced cross-country service from Birmingham to the South Coast.

The £3.5 million design and construct contract was awarded to Mowlem Railways in May 2000 from Great Western Project Delivery, Railtrack. The project involved working closely with sub-contractors in order to meet the tight programme of mobilisation, design and procurement, planning and installation. Followed up ultimately by testing and commissioning.

The installation of the crossovers was carried out by conventional railway means, however this was complicated by their vast size. An additional factor involved was that one of the four lines needed to be open to traffic during the weekend possessions.

The existing line speeds of over 100mph required the design of two Gv32 concrete crossovers, with the largest being 230 metres in length, to achieve the maximum turnout speed of 70 mph.