Modernising the UK's west coast main line railway

In December this year the rail Journey from London to Glasgow will be 44 minutes shorter It will mark substantial completion of the 8 pound billion, ten-year programme to modernise the UK's west coast mainline, one of the largest railway projects in the world. Over half the 650 km long, 160-year-old heavily trafficked route has already been upgraded to carry new 200 km/h tilting trains, two years ahead of schedule, and gauges have been increased for European 2.9 m freight containers all the way to Glasgow. Work on all final contracts is now underway with completion scheduled for 2009. This paper provides an overview the project, its unique civil engineering challenges and the innovative working practices and technological solutions adopted.