Weekend Makeover For 19th Century Yorkshire Rail Bridge

HBPW and its strategic partners have delivered a hat-trick of benefits to Network Rail following a weekend track possession which enabled teams to remove and replace a 143-year old bridge structure.

The MBW2/44 Diving Duck Underbridge carries trains along the Middlesbrough to Whitby line and through the Esk Valley where it crosses over a country lane near Commondale station in North Yorkshire.

But, as Partner, Jon Livesey, explains, the original 19th century waybeam bridge was in poor condition and nearing the end of its natural life.

“The old structure featured timber waybeams set in wrought iron trough girders,” said Jon, “meaning it would have been an on-going challenge to maintain track alignment due to the nature of such structures.”

However, by working with track designers, PBH Rail, HBPW and its partners, realised there was an opportunity to change the track vertical alignment, paving the way for the installation of a concrete deck along with 150m of renewed track, supporting ballast and sleepers.

“It’s not a large bridge so we used precast prestressed beams to get the slimmest deck possible, but even with such a slim deck we had to raise the track approximately 200mm over the bridge, run out over a 150m stretch, which also meant ballast retention and strengthening to the adjacent arch bridge.

“However, the gains going forward were considerable: reduced maintenance of the bridge structure; simplified maintenance of the track itself and a bridge that is now more robust against vehicle impact,” added Jon.

Trains running from the North-east coast into Middlesbrough pass through Commondale as they negotiate the North York Moors National Park.

Network Rail asset engineer Colin Freeburn told New Civil Engineer,: “This bridge has reliably served passengers travelling between Whitby and Middlesbrough for the past 143 years, but it’s time for its next chapter.

“Replacement of the bridge and the tracks will allow people to enjoy on-time, reliable journeys along the picturesque Esk Valley line well into the future and help to maintain this route which is so well-loved by the community.”

Network Rail Project Manager, Laura Pickin, had earlier joined members of the AmcoGiffen Construction Team for the trial erection of the bridge at Shay Murtagh Precast Ltd in Co. Westmeath, Ireland, assisting pre-planning work and aiding smooth installation last weekend.

“Due to the remote location and access challenges of delivering a reconstruction at this location, the new bridge form was designed by HBPW to comprise of smaller elements, helping to mitigate delivery risks and facilitate a slightly easier installation,” she said.

Buses replaced trains on a section of the line at the weekend while works took place. Services on the Esk Valley Line have now resumed.

Client:             Network Rail
Contractor:      AmcoGiffen