The Severn Tunnel has reopened to rail passengers after a six-week closure for the completion of upgrade works to prepare the 130-year old tunnel for electrification.
Network Rail engineers worked in shifts day and night along the tunnel’s 4-mile length, with 18,000 person-days worked during the six-week closure.
Work progresses on the 4-mile tunnel
Without the closure Network Rail estimate it would have taken engineers up to five years to complete this upgrade – part of the multi-billion pound electrification scheme from London to South Wales.
An extensive amount of work was also done to prepare neighbouring Patchway Tunnels during the closure.
Andy Thomas, Network Rail Wales route managing director said: ‘We are delighted to have delivered this vital milestone in the project to electrify the South Wales Mainline as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan to give passengers a bigger and better railway.
‘Electrification of the South Wales Mainline will transform the railway, bringing significant long-term benefits for passengers including faster, more frequent trains as well as a boost to economic growth for towns and cities across South Wales thanks to better connectivity to and from London.’
Severn Tunnel facts:
· More than 20 conductor rail anchors and 240 metres of conductor rail were installed in the Severn Tunnel per ten hour shift
· 7,000 anchors were installed to support the new electric equipment
· 14kms of overhead conductor rail installed and supported by 1648 drop tubes that are suspended from the tunnel crown
· Over 3,500 people-hours of preparatory work was completed ahead of the six week upgrade project
· Over 40 tonnes of soot was removed from the tunnel during the preparatory work carried out prior to the six week project
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