TPA helps a historic railway stay on track

29 Jul

When award-winning infrastructure company Story Contracting needed interim access for an annual practical trackwork challenge (PTC) event organised by the PWI (Permanent Way Institution), they knew they needed to look no further than temporary access solutions supplier TPA.

Previous users of TAMS, temporary RRAP systems and UTAS from TPA’s Rapid Rail Access division, Story’s specialist in-house track team specified, and installed and removed, lightweight Zappmats from TPA’s Portable Roadways division for the PWI’s two-day event at Bo’ness and Kinneil Heritage Railway.

The Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway is operated by volunteers from the Scottish Railway Preservation Society and funded by grants and donations. The line that runs steam trains on a scenic 10-mile return journey needed refurbishing and provided the ideal opportunity to host the learning event which fosters collaboration, innovation and development for participants, while supporting the heritage railway.

The 2024 PWI PTC featured a series of hands-on workshops, demonstrations and networking opportunities for more than 100 participants, exhibitors and spectators from across the rail community.

Fifty delegates were split into groups to complete all the steps involved in a track renewal project, under expert supervision. After a total of 16 working hours, 200 metres of the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway line was successfully renewed on Site One and 75 damaged sleepers were replaced on Site Two.

TPA’s interlocking Zappmats were required to create a safe viewing platform for all the spectators due to the volume of large plant on a single line, and were specifically used for a pedestrian walkway and standing area as ground conditions were wet.

Jim Stevenson, head of track at Story Contracting, said: “Zappmats are a fantastic product. I always use TPA’s Zappmats due to the quality and reliability of the product. Installation was very straightforward due to the simplicity of the system, and removal was just as easy.”

The PTC also gave PWI supporters the opportunity to showcase products and services at the event, and TPA’s stand featured a section of lightweight foam RRAP, VRAM RRAP and platform access steps.

TPA’s Rapid Rail Access division also lent the event a quantity of TAMS (Track Access Matting System) which provide easy temporary access for rail digs. Quick to install and easy to relocate, the TAMS system enables longer working time in track possessions.

Stephen Barber, CEO of the PWI added: “Working together, we ensured the event took place in a very low-risk environment. Delegates are mentored and closely supervised so they can engage in the work, technical activities can be explained to them, and their questions can be answered in detail - a level of support almost impossible to achieve during time-constrained engineering work on the national rail network.”

Story Contracting graduate engineer Jennifer Evans, who took part in the challenge, said: “Training days like this are important as they provide a platform for professionals from different companies, job descriptions and levels to share their expertise, helping to build a bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical applications in industry.”