The Borders railway project has begun advance works with the first section of concrete slab track laid in Bowshank tunnel, UK. The activity saw a 25-strong team work for two weeks to lay the concrete on the northbound section of the track through the 200 metre Victorian tunnel.
The team will now work to complete the southbound section over the coming weeks. Traditional ballast track will be used along all other parts of the new Borders Railway route, but concrete slab track will be used in Bowshank Tunnel as a result of the height of the old structure. In the autumn, a specialist rail installation machine will begin laying the track for the 30 mile Borders Railway route.
Hugh Wark, project director, Network Rail, said:
“Laying the slab track is an essential part of the preparation works ahead of the track laying taking place in the autumn. With just over a year to go until the first trains start running, we are looking forward to marking many more exciting milestones over the coming weeks and months as we move closer towards completion of the new line.”
