TRACK TECHNOLOGY
Track improvements for the Tarka Line
N
early a quarter of the track along the 36-mile Tarka Line in Devon is being improved by Network Rail and replaced with continuously welded rail.
The line was closed from Barnstaple to Crediton for major track renewal from November 17 to December 3, and more work is scheduled for March.
The nine miles of renewals will make the journey smoother for passengers and will prepare the line for faster journey times,
Below: Barnstaple station Network Rail said.
Work has already taken place at Lapford and between Eggesford and Portsmouth Arms, with further improvements planned between Crediton and Yeoford, and in the Umberleigh and Chapelton areas, in March.
Network Rail’s Western route managing director, Patrick Hallgate, said: “This is the biggest spend on the Tarka line in more than 100 years and is certainly the largest single investment in the line since approximately
Below: A FGW Pacer on the Tarka line near Barnstaple
John Burch, chairman of the Tarka
Adam Hewitt reports on a series of improvements on the Exeter- Barnstaple line in Devon.
£4.6m (today’s prices) was spent on re- modelling the junction and replacing the bridges at Cowley Bridge, Exeter in 1965.”
Julian Crow, regional manager, West of England, at train operator First Great Western, said: “The Tarka Line is thriving with more passengers than ever and we very much welcome this huge investment in the line’s future, leading to smoother and faster journeys for our customers.”
Rail
Association, added: “Our ultimate aim is to see faster services on the line and an increase in line capacity to cope with the huge increase in the number of people using the Tarka Line in recent years.
“This investment demonstrates a confidence in secondary routes as part of the essential future public transport network and we know it is the only way to get people out of their cars in the medium to long term.”
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rail technology magazine Dec/Jan 13 | 41
Both images © Iantherev
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