Paper 3: Civil Engineering Works of the Euston Main Line Electrification Scheme

Abstract

This paper discusses, with illustrations, some of the civil engineering problems encountered on a main-line electrification scheme on British Railways. These tasks are as follows: the provision of adequate clearances beneath bridges and through tunnels; the design of overhead structures and their foundations; the provision of inspection, maintenance, and repair sheds for electric stock and locomotives, sub-station buildings, signal boxes, and relay rooms. A scheme of this magnitude also requires (a) a thorough modernization of the track formation, ballasting, drainage, soil stabilization work, and the introduction of continuous welded track; (b) route rationalization, reducing the requirement of operating facilities to a minimum; (1c) station modernization and rebuilding; and (d) strengthening and improving the type of bridges carrying the lines.