Pilning freight relief relaying

[nickt]

Went for a drive through Pilning/Easter Compton this afternoon and noticed a lot of activty on the tracks. The relief line from Wales had been cut into bite size panels and layed on bank and relayed with steel sleepers and rail. Ballast train parked under road bridge and various rail gubbins. went round to Pilning station and ballast train parked in platform. lots of activity just outside of platform.
LuckilyI had camera with me and took a good few piccys, now for the bad news... haven't got a picture account yet so will post snaps as and when. I'm sure it can't be too difficult... ( can it )
question 1, why are steel sleepers used, is it a cost thing.
2, which line is the up and which the down, ( what determines which is which ) sounds a stupid question and probably has very simple answer.

[James]

1, why are steel sleepers used, is it a cost thing.

With the price of steel as high as it is now? Doesn't make sense. Maybe if they'd kept Taunton or Exmouth Junction cement works open it would be cheaper to use concrete...

2, which line is the up and which the down, ( what determines which is which ) sounds a stupid question and probably has very simple answer.

Up is traditionally "To London". Not sure what you do when a line doesn't go there!

[Rich_Eason]

Up line is the side of Platform 1 image taken from 2.



The reason they use Steel as apposed to Concrete is cost.

They are quicker to lay as they can be used on the Auto laying machines and when compared to concrete performance is good and if not better where heavy duty lines are required. They are also lighter than concrete and thus cost savings on transportation.

The concrete sleepers can still be used on auto laying machines, however they require manual adjustment of rail to sleeper, where as steel are "pre-set".

Although per sleeper they are probably more expensive, the savings gained in faster laying and less maintainance outweighs the initial cost.

Plus they can be recycled easier

[nickt]

Ok thanks for that interesting information guys.
Just one thought though regarding steel sleepers, I realise the rail is sat on rubber pads ( providing electrical insulation ) but does or can using steel affect track circuit operation (I suppose the rail clips are insulated in some way.)