1stinrail nears completion of track removal and new track installation in Gosforth

1stinrail, a UK railway engineering, track maintenance, repair, renewal and installation company, is nearing completion of a VolkerFitzpatrick project - the £70 million redevelopment of the Stadler Nexus depot at Gosforth in Newcastle upon Tyne.

1stinrail Managing Director Stephen Jackson said the project involved the complete overhaul of the existing depot, with the existing 1920s sheds being demolished for new ultra-modern train maintenance facilities.

It will accommodate new state-of-the-art trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro.

“1stinrail has been engaged to remove and dispose of all existing track and supply and install the new track layout," Jackson explained.

"Our work began in June last year and we will complete 46 weeks of on-site working during November this year.

"1stinrail’s work has been from bottom ballast up, including a combination of ballasted plain line and switches and crossings on concrete sleepers and bearers.

"It includes the installation of sections of gauge-widened track on timber sleepers, track on pedestals within the maintenance building and direct fixed track to concrete slabs in wash slabs/cleaning facilities and inspection pits."

Jackson added the work, which started in June 2022, has been carried out while the depot remained open.

"Phases were scheduled to ensure that access for trains and essential maintenance and servicing was still possible for Stadler, the depot operator,” he said.

Stephen said the majority of the work was undertaken during normal midweek working daytime hours, with specific elements (namely the tie-in work at each end of the depot entrance and exit points), being carried out during blockades, when work was programmed around the clock and integrated carefully with other key subcontractors to ensure all disciplines were effectively and efficiently provided for.

All earthworks, track installation, signalling and overhead line equipment was installed, completed and handed back in time to guarantee that the depot re-opened on time to continue providing a serviced fleet of vehicles onto the Nexus network.

The project design was provided by VolkerFitzpatrick with 1stinrail’s input and 1stinrail was responsible for the setting out (ensuring the position of the track reflected design parameters both vertically and horizontally during the construction phase), track removal, disposal, installation, tamping and, where required, signalling.