DC LINE GETS
SOME TLC
Spruced up stations, stronger sleepers and new signal cabling are just some of the benefits being seen along the railway between Euston and Watford Junction – known as the ‘DC line’
Improvements on the line shared by London Overground and the Bakerloo line have been made during two separate seven-day line closures, one in December and another in February. A further blockade is planned for the summer of 2023.
Work at Carpenders Park, Headstone Lane, Kenton, North Wembley and South Kenton included roof and canopy repairs, laying tactile paving and resurfacing platforms.
In addition, 7,000 modern concrete sleepers were installed in place of 1950s wooden ones, 28km of signal cabling was replaced, the power supply to trains was upgraded and sections of track have been renewed. A derelict substation was also demolished and various drainage works completed.
Closing the railway for consecutive days and collaboration between Network Rail, ARL and London Underground (LU) meant that teams could carry out multiple complex projects simultaneously, which would otherwise take years of weekend or overnight working.
For instance, the sleeper replacements could have taken between 7-8 years of midweek overnight shifts to get done.
As well as improving journey times and reliability, the station works improved safety and accessibility for customers, while track and sleeper upgrades should improve the ride quality for drivers and passengers.
Alex Robinson, on-time performance leader, said:
“These works came about by colleagues in other Network Rail areas sharing best practice across our network, and will be supported to a conclusion in our cross organisational Line of Route meetings. The collaboration between Network Rail, LU and ARL has been fantastic. These once-in-a-generation works to replace ageing infrastructure are vitally important and will ultimately improve reliability on our
DC route.”
Built with Shorthand