How water affects the railway – know your enemy!

Overview

For many years the railway has battled with the elements and the damage that can be caused by water. Water blocking the lines – debris, silt and mud making its way onto the track – are only part of it. When water rises above the rails, trains have to reduce their speed to prevent damage to the train. Water can cause a short circuit and cut the power to trackside points, signalling equipment and live conductor rails. When water drains away, it can wash away the ‘ballast’ that supports the sleepers, destabilising the track. Scour, which by the action of water, removes material around structure foundations, has been the leading cause of UK bridge failures in the last 100 years.

This presentation will look at how the network rail engineer manages the risks associated with water on the railway by:

• Identifying problem areas using modelling and existing data from the Environment Agency and other sources
• Try to extend the life of existing assets by ensuring maintenance is carried out in the most beneficial areas
• Use better weather forecast methods to predict extreme rainfall events
• Improve Network Rail's understanding of water management rather than just drainage
• A brief look at scour of structures and how technology is changing our approach 

Programme