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Swiss precision helped dig up clearer future

1/ 1/2007

UP UNTIL then it had only been available in the South but in September 1960 Belfield introduced a new age of track maintenance to the region.

One of the most vital tasks in keeping the track in good condition was the regular cleaning and replacing of the ballast underneath.

This was mainly done by hand and was a time-consuming operation.

However a machine invented in Switzerland changed all that.

It consisted of two units - the drive unit with diesel and electric generators and the excavating unit which passed an endless chain containing 80 teeth beneath the sleepers, tearing out the old ballast to a depth of 18 inches and passing it along a conveyor belt into empty wagons at the side of the track.

If the ballast only needed cleaning it was tipped onto a shuffling screen to separate the dirt and the clean ballast returned to the track.

Winching itself along by means of chains fastened on the track ahead, it could cover 120 yards in an hour with the record being 2,250 for one night.

After it had done its work a train followed and tipped new ballast between the sleepers which was packed in by the platelayers.

The machine had a crew of three who travelled with it, living quarters being attached, and cost £50,000 with the cutting chain having to be replaced monthly at a cost of £1,000.

During the late 1950s the machine was introduced in the southern counties but did not venture north until the start of the next decade.

Then Belfield was chosen as the stretch of track for several trial runs - and the revolution began.