If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Brand new bullhead rail

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Paulthehitch, Jan 13, 2022.

  1. osprey

    osprey Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2007
    Messages:
    9,356
    Likes Received:
    2,313
    Occupation:
    semi-retired, currently doing R&D for my patents
    Location:
    Halifax
    Out of curiosity where is the rail rolled?
     
  2. Paulthehitch

    Paulthehitch Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2020
    Messages:
    1,090
    Likes Received:
    1,093
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Hayling Island
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Scunthorpe
     
  3. osprey

    osprey Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2007
    Messages:
    9,356
    Likes Received:
    2,313
    Occupation:
    semi-retired, currently doing R&D for my patents
    Location:
    Halifax
    Smashing..thanks for that..
     
  4. cav1975

    cav1975 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2009
    Messages:
    520
    Likes Received:
    634
    The new bullhead is going in to replace some of the second hand material from the Brading to Sandown singling that was laid for the extension in 1989-1991. The recent kind donation by SWR is flat bottom but it has all been cut into short lengths and will only be suitable for sidings.

    Incidentally the bull head rail is a catalogue item from British Steel Scunthorpe - see page 2 of this pdf https://britishsteel.co.uk/media/40811/special-rail-dimensions-and-properties.pdf .
     
    30854 and Paulthehitch like this.
  5. Hirn

    Hirn Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2015
    Messages:
    462
    Likes Received:
    295
    Gender:
    Male
     
    Bluenosejohn and Paulthehitch like this.
  6. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2015
    Messages:
    9,185
    Likes Received:
    7,226
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Thorn in my managers side
    Location:
    72
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Presumably the Narrow Gauge lines must have their rail rolled to special order?
     
  7. Hirn

    Hirn Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2015
    Messages:
    462
    Likes Received:
    295
    Gender:
    Male
    Yes indeed, there was a substantial cooperative order to recreate the Welsh Highland Railway and relay the Welshpool and Llanfair.
     
    Paulthehitch, Bluenosejohn and 30854 like this.
  8. osprey

    osprey Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2007
    Messages:
    9,356
    Likes Received:
    2,313
    Occupation:
    semi-retired, currently doing R&D for my patents
    Location:
    Halifax
    Thanks too, most interesting
     
  9. M59137

    M59137 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2009
    Messages:
    1,330
    Likes Received:
    2,113
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Carriage & Wagon
    Location:
    Sheringham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    New bullhead rail is being laid at the North Norfolk next week, in open countryside, as part of a rolling rail renewal program which has been in place for over a decade now.

    The "little and often" policy is to replace short sections each winter. This was a strategy thought of in the 2000's when it was realised that if action were not taken, by 2030/2040 we'd have approximately 3 miles of 1940's era track become life expired. Given the price of rail, that could be catastrophic for a 5 mile line if a grant or major rail donation was not achieved. It will take at least a further 10-20 years to replace the whole section.

    Luckily, with local conditions and curves etc, the 3 mile section has not worn evenly which fits in nicely with the policy to replace the worst sections each winter. Every few years (covid excepted) a relatively small amount of bullhead rail can be bought (but still five figures) which can come from normal earnings rather than storing up the problems and having to have an £X million track appeal.

    Sent from my moto g(8) power using Tapatalk
     
  10. cav1975

    cav1975 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2009
    Messages:
    520
    Likes Received:
    634
    The policy on the Isle of Wight is very similar with a limited quantity of bullhead rail being replaced with new every winter. An appropriate number of sleepers are also replaced every year but not necessarily in the same places as the rail. Chairs seem to be lasting very well since the last of the LSWR chairs on the original section were replaced by S1s more than 30 years ago. Ballast, fishplates, etc ate also renewed as required meaning that there is little disruption and a steadily improving permanent way. All this is paid for out of general revenue and we try to reserve appeals, legacies and grants for developments rather than renewals.

    Nick
     
  11. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2009
    Messages:
    8,068
    Likes Received:
    5,164
    If only other railways could do the same.
     
  12. Mark Thompson

    Mark Thompson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2017
    Messages:
    1,429
    Likes Received:
    3,559
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    E sussex
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I wish that Bluebell had had a similar foresight. Unfortunately it was emphasis 9n the Northern Extension which meant that the original 5 miles from SP- HK became an urgent need for replacement, with similar 1940s vintage p/way. It's unfortunate that the position the railway found itself in, precluded the replacement of its worn out rail with newly- rolled bullhead. But what's done is done. At least the track is now something less to worry about
     
    Paulthehitch likes this.

Share This Page