Drone footage has been released of significant West Coast Main Line track upgrades alongside photos of Euston’s new loos after major improvements for passengers this Easter.
Hundreds of engineers from Network Rail and its supply chain* worked night and day at multiple locations along one of the country’s crucial rail routes over the bank holiday weekend.
The significant railway investment, which will provide a safer railway and improve future journeys for passengers and freight, included:
- Switches and crossings (moving track sections so trains can change lines) replaced at Kensal Green in North London
- Railway embankment strengthening to prevent landslips in Harlesden
- New track and railway foundation stone (ballast) installed near Tring
- Overhauled railway drainage to prevent lines flooding near Leighton Buzzard
- Overhead lines which power trains re-tensioned at Euston
- London Overground power supply upgrades between Watford and Euston
- Signalling commissioned for a major new rail freight interchange at Northampton
Workforce safety and the number of projects meant that no trains could run in or out of Euston station for three days over Easter.
That provided a perfect opportunity to completely overhaul the station concourse toilets while the station was closed.
The much-needed work saw upgrades made to the male, female and accessible toilets.
It included new cubicles, urinals, soap dispensers, replacing fixtures, and refreshing the décor along with a deep clean of all areas.
Network Rail also used the time to upgrade signage in the station to make getting around clearer for passengers.
Today (Tuesday 22 April) Euston station and the railway reopened and passengers whose travel plans were impacted by the work are being thanked by rail bosses.
Brian Paynter, Network Rail Capital Delivery head of track, said: “We’ve invested millions of pounds to improve future journeys on the southern end of the West Coast Main Line this Easter, at a time of year when we know passenger numbers are lower so we can minimise disruption to one of the country’s most important rail routes.
“In the short term we know some passengers were disrupted and I’d like to thank them for their patience if their travel plans were affected over the bank holiday. In the long term though, our ongoing investments will see smoother and more reliable journeys and better facilities for passengers travelling to and from London Euston.”
In just under two weeks further upgrade work will be taking place over the early May bank holiday from Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May**.
Euston station will once again be closed on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 May.
Over that weekend there will be fewer trains, and the possibility parts of some journeys will need to be by rail replacement bus.
Passengers are being advised to check before they travel by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk so they know exactly what to expect from their journey.
Image credit: Network Rail
