Track Maintained by Operators

[Deepgreen]

At Redhill, the up side loop (non-electrified) has a sign fixed to a sleeper saying "DB Schenker Track Maintenance" with an arrow pointing along the loop. I was unaware that any UK main line (albeit infrequently used in this case) track was maintained by anyone other than Network Rail - are there many other examples of this, and with other operators?

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

I think the Isle of Wright is maintained by Island Line.

 

[The Planner]

Anything that is leased tends to be dealt with by the operator (or not as the case can be...)

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Or the siding leasor or operator - say the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company - or a power utility company - used to be termed "red sidings" .....

 

[swt_passenger]

I think the Isle of Wright is maintained by Island Line.

Only for day to day inspections and routine stuff I think; when it goes seriously wrong, like the recent landslip, repairs seem to be down to NR. It is them being quoted in press reports about the completion.

 

[High Dyke]

Only for day to day inspections and routine stuff I think; when it goes seriously wrong, like the recent landslip, repairs seem to be down to NR. It is them being quoted in press reports about the completion.

No doubt it's them that is also picking up the repair bill...?

 

[tsr]

Following Operation Mountfield, where NR took over control and responsibility for many local yards and freight lines (including, I believe, Salfords and Ardingly), Redhill Up Goods Loop (in part), Snowplough Siding and Up Yard are now some of the few sections of track in the area still operated and maintained by DBS.

 

[edwin_m]

No doubt it's them that is also picking up the repair bill...?

Probably so. Otherwise Island Line would have to carry insurance for the very rare but very serious events like this, which would be disproportionately costly for a small operator. The cost of fixing the odd landslide is much less of an issue for an organisation the size of Network Rail. I don't know what insurance they carry, but if they do the "excess" would be much greater than what someone like Island Line would need - and the premium therefore much lower pro rata.

 

[najaB]

I don't know what insurance they carry, but if they do...

I suspect that, in common with many large infrastructure organisations, they self-insure. Any unforseen operational costs are paid out of the capital works budget. So if there are several major repair jobs, planned projects may be delayed or reduced in scope.

 

[infobleep]

I suspect that, in common with many large infrastructure organisations, they self-insure. Any unforseen operational costs are paid out of the capital works budget. So if there are several major repair jobs, planned projects may be delayed or reduced in scope.

Reducing the scope of planned projects can't be easy given that the railways are evicting more popular, with more people travelling. Again delaying projects also can't be easy.

 

[najaB]

Reducing the scope of planned projects can't be easy given that the railways are evicting more popular, with more people travelling. Again delaying projects also can't be easy.

I never said it would be easy. In some cases NR would be able to issue bonds or borrow to cover the shortfall but we've already seen projects pushed back or postponed.

 

[steamybrian]

The Spa Valley Line between Birchden Jn and Eridge is maintained by rail contractors Keltbray under contract by Spa Valley Railway even though it is leased from NR.

 

[adrock1976]

Would Highbury & Islington to both of the New Cross stations count?

I believe this section of the track (former Metropolitan Railway/LU East London Line) is owned by Transport for London, which also has the London Overground services running over it.

In peace

Adam

 

[Chris125]

No doubt it's them that is also picking up the repair bill...?

The following describes the situation back in 2001, I imagine something similar still applies:

Island Line is responsible for the maintenance of the infrastructure
generally e.g. track, signalling, electrification equipment and buildings,
however Railtrack is responsible for the maintenance of structures,
earthworks and the formation below 450mm from the underside of the
sleepers. Railtrack is responsible for renewals except permanent way and
the non-structural elements of stations.

Chris

 

[DarloRich]

I never said it would be easy. In some cases NR would be able to issue bonds or borrow to cover the shortfall but we've already seen projects pushed back or postponed.

not anymore

 

[Deepgreen]

Following Operation Mountfield, where NR took over control and responsibility for many local yards and freight lines (including, I believe, Salfords and Ardingly), Redhill Up Goods Loop (in part), Snowplough Siding and Up Yard are now some of the few sections of track in the area still operated and maintained by DBS.

Maybe that explains why I cannot get a straight answer out of NR about having the sodium floodlights over the Snowplough Siding switched off - they are on 24 hours a day, every day, and have been solidly for the nearly three years I have been commuting from Redhill, despite the siding never having been used to my knowledge in all that time! Southern said they were NR's responsibility, and NR said the reverse. Maybe they are DB's.

 

[najaB]

not anymore

Ah yes, that's true. These days it would be up to the Treasury to make up any shortfall.

 

[matt_world2004]

Airport junction and the branch line managed by baa or Heathrow airport holdings harrow on the hill to Amersham managed by LU.

 

[Mojo]

Airport junction and the branch line managed by baa or Heathrow airport holdings harrow on the hill to Amersham managed by LU.

Plus the line from East Putney to Wimbledon is owned by LU but power supply and signalling is dealt with by Network Rail, as a legacy arrangement from when the line was owned by BR. There are infrequent SWT services which use this bit of track.

There was an interesting incident a few years ago where a District line Train Operator reported a rough ride and the P-Way guys went to check it out and found a defect that required a 10mph TSR to be implemented until it could be fixed overnight.

The TSR was signed using LUL-standard signs but the NR Signal Operator was apparently not happy to allow trains to run as he believed that NR-standard signage was required, however the NR guys would not attend to erect such signage as it was not their property.

From memory there was a fairly prolonged (by LU standards) shutdown. I cannot remember exactly how it was resolved, but I think in the end the Signal Operator stopped the trains and advised them of the speed restriction.