Repairs to the retaining walls at bridge 53 show the extent of the work undertaken during the upgrade of the test track.
Some pictures of the changes on the line between Holwell and Grimston Tunnel.
All photos courtesy of Paul Frost (Parsons Brinkerhoff).
Click on the picture for a bigger image
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The view south showing the new chord, left, built to connect the original alignment to the new depot at Asfordby. It is built on the old trackbed of the line to Holwell iron ore mines which once connected with the LNER branch at Harby & Stathern. The masts have yet to be erected on the chord. |
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The site of the original test track's run-round loop at Holwell, just north of Asfordby, during the upgrade. Note the original track still in place and the new masts going up. This is the location where the HST was pictured on the 'Research' page. |
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The southern portal of Saxelby Tunnel during the upgrade. New cable troughing and the electrification masts hold the promise that a modern infrastructure will soon be in place. |
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The view looking south towards Saxelby Tunnel from bridge 53 and MP109 during the upgrade. Some of the masts are already in place. |
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Repairs to the retaining walls at bridge 53 show the extent of the work undertaken during the upgrade of the test track. |
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The view looking north towards Grimston Covered Way from a point approx. halfway between Grimston station and the tunnel mouth. The gradient at this point is 1 in 212 rising and can be clearly seen. The line is now signalled as part of the upgrade and the concrete troughing carries the new cables. |
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Just outside Grimston Covered way is this waterfall, built in 1879 to re-route a stream away from the tunnels, which was refurbished during the upgrade |
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An impressive view looking north from the southern portal of the 100 yard long Covered Way (variously known as Grimston or Saxelby). Note the track has been moved towards the middle of the formation to allow for the necessary OHLE clearance. Through the short tunnel can be seen the much longer Grimston Tunnel and at the far end lies MP111 and Old Dalby. |
