Berks and Hants Track Condition

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

You end up with an effect like a wet sponge....very soggy and soft....which leads to poor ride due to no support for the sleepers.....

Here is an example:


Image (c)2014 SandTEngineer
Note: Photograph taken whilst line under absolute possession

[ellendune]

You end up with an effect like a wet sponge....very soggy and soft....which leads to poor ride due to no support for the sleepers.....

Here is an example:


Image (c)2014 SandTEngineer

Classic example.  The sort of issue that, if not dealt with properly, leads to incidents like the derailment at Gloucester http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=13057.0 The clay subsoils around Berkshire (including North Berkshire now Oxfordshire) and Wiltshire are particularly susceptible to this. Our local highway authorities have similar problems. 

[SandTEngineer]

...and if you want to see the potential effect on a train of a wet spot see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4ntnt4DL60&app=desktop

[JayMac]

...and that video was used by the RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) in their report on the Gloucester derailment.