Old rail tracks left behind

[GJEdmunds]

I've noticed that some very long lengths of old railway track are left in between the tracks instead of being carted away. Why is that? My worry would be that someone could move these tracks and cause a lot of damage.

 

[swt_passenger]

AIUI from previous discussions the very long lengths between the tracks are more often new rail yet to be fitted. That's usually where the Rail Delivery Trains put it.

 

[Lrd]

It will take a lot more than one person to lift or move a rail!

 

[Ploughman]

It will take a lot more than one person to lift or move a rail!

That is not always correct especially if the rail is laid on top of a heap of ballast and the end is free swinging, or the length is short enough to be moved.

 

[Ianno87]

I've noticed that some very long lengths of old railway track are left in between the tracks instead of being carted away. Why is that? My worry would be that someone could move these tracks and cause a lot of damage.

That did indeed happen to a Class 50 at West Ealing in 1989.

 

[Cowley]

That did indeed happen to a Class 50 at West Ealing in 1989.

50025 (not so) Invincible. It was a miracle no-one was killed.
It was a shortish bit of rail that some idiots managed to drag onto the running line.



(Not my photo)

 

[najaB]

That is not always correct especially if the rail is laid on top of a heap of ballast and the end is free swinging, or the length is short enough to be moved.

I rarely see short lengths of rail left in the four-foot. One assumes for precisely this reason.