Since the 1850s the East Coast Main Line (ECML) has been an intensively used high speed railway, reliant on the maintenance of its track for the safety and comfort of passengers and the reliability of its fast freight and heavy mineral trains.
There are many tasks involved, and the work carries on in all weathers. Each pair of running rails must be well supported, accurately aligned, and either dead straight or smoothly curved and correctly canted. Methods have evolved from manual techniques requiring skill, experience, basic tools and a strong, hardy physique to today's automated machines guided by lasers and GPS.
A keen awareness of hazards has always been vital for the safety of engineering teams.
Use the links below to access pages in the Looking after the Line section:
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