[Trog]

The Up Goods Loop at Tring had a couple of stretches of LNWR material in it until the platform layout was altered in about 2003.

I have also been told that the Platform Loop at Bicester North was never relayed. Same track in use from opening until twin track was restored, on the Chiltern Line.

Back in the 1980's there was a lead into the cement works at Chinnor, that was such old material it had the keys on the inside of the rails, I am only aware of that sort of chair in one other place and that is now out of use.

On the bridge front the access line into Wolverton Works used an original L&B bridge span dating from 1838? to cross the canal until it as replaced by a modern ARP girder bridge in about 1990. The existing bridge was only replaced as it was restricted to shunting locos only, and they wanted to be able to get mainline locos into the works.

[Tiny Tim]

Originally Posted by John55

I presume you realise that many of the bridges upon which the track is laid are made out of metal and are anything up to 170 years old.

I regularly travel over the Ethelfleda/Britannia Bridge at Runcorn Gap which was built in 1869. It is not made out of steel but wrought iron. Do I fear I am going to drop into the river or canal? No!

With a few notable exceptions (Tay Bridge, for starters) the Victorian engineers were very well aware of the limitations of the materials available to them. Designs of bridges changed considerably when steel became available in quantity, but as the early Bessemer steel suffered from consistency problems, a 'belt and braces' approach continued. Thanks to this policy, many large railway structures survive in use despite the unreliable materials used. The longevity of these bridges contrasts sharply with that of more recent civil engineering. Hammersmith Flyover, anyone?)

[DXMachina]

Originally Posted by John55

I presume you realise that many of the bridges upon which the track is laid are made out of metal and are anything up to 170 years old.

I've ridden over and cycled under a WCML Stephenson bridge that's over 170. Doesnt scare me. Bridges are built to last. Rails are more of a passing thing.

[CarltonA]

Oldest track on the network? Though not in use for many, many years and having no rails there are stone blocks in the trackbed at Simpasture Junction on the Bishop Auckland line which are Stockton & Darlington in origin. These were used instead of sleepers. I'm not absolutely sure they are still there but I saw them a few years back.

[class26]

Originally Posted by DXMachina

I've ridden over and cycled under a WCML Stephenson bridge that's over 170. Doesnt scare me. Bridges are built to last. Rails are more of a passing thing.

Originally Posted by RichmondCommu

Any ideas? I'm guessing that it would have to be a lightly used branch line outside of the SE which never saw anything else other than DMU's. I'm thinking perhaps the Colne branch although a Pacer and old jointed track can't be much fun!

When they relaid some of the track between Boston and Skegness recently some equipment ws found to have been the original. Not sure when it was laid but it was not in the 2oth century !

[RichmondCommu]

Originally Posted by class26

When they relaid some of the track between Boston and Skegness recently some equipment ws found to have been the original. Not sure when it was laid but it was not in the 2oth century !

Blimey, thats crazy when you think that in the past Class 20's, Class 47's and HST's have run over that route! Hopefully it didn't go for scrap and is now sitting in someone's shed!

[class26]

Originally Posted by RichmondCommu

Blimey, thats crazy when you think that in the past Class 20's, Class 47's and HST's have run over that route! Hopefully it didn't go for scrap and is now sitting in someone's shed!

It was quoted in "Moderrn Railways" that the workers were surprised to discover this !!

[Cliveblackpool]

Wrought iron does not rust nearly as fast as mild steel.
It has not been produced since the 50's.
Bespoke wrought ironwork (as opposed to bent steel!) makers still use wrought iron. Not cheap to buy either!
Old iron railway bridges are one of the best sources.

[John55]

Originally Posted by RichmondCommu

Blimey, thats crazy when you think that in the past Class 20's, Class 47's and HST's have run over that route! Hopefully it didn't go for scrap and is now sitting in someone's shed!

How big a shed do you think people have that you expect them to be able to store several miles of rail?

If the track/rail is in good condition why is it crazy to run locos and HSTs over it? After all the diesels (and especially DMUs) are much kinder to the track than the steam locos which ran over it in previous times. Before the track was replaced there were severe restrictions (in the later days) on what rolling stock could use the line and how often as Network Rail were well aware of the age and condition of the track.

I attended a lecture about 10 years ago given by an engineer from either Tube Lines or Metronet and he raised a great deal of astonishment when he said the Bakerloo, Piccadilly and Charing Cross branch of the Northern were about to have the first ever track renewal carried out on the original sections of the lines dating from the early 1900s. When questioned he said the rails had been replaced fairly often but everything else was more or less original. This was possible only because of the unusual atmosphere in the tunnels (i.e. no rain!).

[Speedbird2639]

Slight cheat as not part of the network since the 1960's (but people have been suggesting sidings which probably haven't been in use since that time as well)

I give the original insitu rails of the Cromford and High Peak Railway 1825!

[matchmaker]

I wonder how old the track is on the various sections of the West Highland Line?

[emoaconr]

When the Cambrian Line was relaid about 2 years ago, it was found a lot of the old bullhead rail there dated to the 19th Century.

Similary the Borderlands Line is in very poor condition in places with ancient chair fittings throughout, however there is a re-laying programme going on at the moment.