TheOneKEA wrote:
Richard J. wrote:
Why does it take 9 days to replace a double-track junction? Have
there been any recent replacements of similar junctions that have
been done over a weekend, for example?

The junction is in rather poor shape at the moment - while it is
laid with flatbottom rail, the sleepers are all wood and fishplates
abound. The chord to Acton Lane Junction used by the District is in
exceedingly bad shape (it's all bullhead rail!) and the chord to
Bollo Lane Junction suffers from a down line laid with wooden
sleepers.

I've no doubt the junction itself is in rather poor shape, which is why
it's to be relaid. The plain line stretches to Bollo Lane and Acton
Lane Junction could easily be relaid in weekend possessions.

Drainage in the area of the junction is also rather bad - a short
panel between the trailing points of the junction and the trailing
points of the crossover was removed and relaid because of wet beds.
The lack of space under the overbridge probably also complicates
matters.

Excuses, excuses. There were drainage problems at Victoria at the start
of the District Line relaying works, which necessitated an extra weekend
closure. And the lack of space under the overbridge is not exactly a
rare occurrence (e.g. District Line tunnels). What I'm struggling to
understand is why it's really necessary to suspend the heavily-loaded
peak Richmond line services for a whole week. Or is it just Network
Rail deciding it's more convenient for them to mount a blockade, and sod
the passengers?
--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)