Stone blower on WCML

[eMeS]

Videoing traffic on the WCML in Milton Keynes this morning, I was passed by a "Stone Blower" travelling north at around 12:31. Never heard of anything like this before, and having googled a bit, it seems as though I might have caught a bit of history.

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

Stone Blowers move around the network under their own power fairly regularly, perhaps more so at night when it is quieter. They are often VST paths as they move between depots and work locations. This move was from Romford to Guide Bridge https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/35087/2020-07-03/detailed

 

[eMeS]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I was going to see it pass Stockport but I've seen them loads in the 90s and early-00s.

 

[High Dyke]

Had one to/from various possessions around Lincolnshire last week.

 

[DarloRich]

Videoing traffic on the WCML in Milton Keynes this morning, I was passed by a "Stone Blower" travelling north at around 12:31. Never heard of anything like this before, and having googled a bit, it seems as though I might have caught a bit of history.

I wouldn't call it a bit of history. It is a common on track machine that works all round the network. Network Rail currently has 14 plain line and three multi-purpose Stoneblowers. However as they work in possessions and move when the network is quiet you might not have seen one before. Information here:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/runni...-machines-and-vehicles/track-treatment-fleet/

Stoneblowers restore the line and level of the track by correcting its vertical (height) and lateral (left or right) profile. To do this, first they measure the track to work out where it needs to be lifted to bring it level, and how much it needs to be moved side to side to ensure correct alignment.

Tampers and stoneblowers are track maintenance machines that make sure the track is correctly aligned and has a smooth level along the rail. They help to prevent the risk of trains derailing, and ensure smooth, comfortable journeys for passengers and freight trains. These machines generally work at night when no passenger trains are running.

Network Rail awards Stoneblower operating contract

UK: Infrastructure manager Network Rail has appointed Balfour Beatty to operate and maintain of its fleet of Stoneblowers, which pneumatically inject ballast under the sleepers to fill voids and restore track geometry. The four-year contract is worth more than £40m. It covers a minimum of 2 800...

www.railwaygazette.com

Multipurpose Stoneblower For Railways | Harsco Rail

Harsco Rail’s Multipurpose Stoneblower is a revolutionary machine developed specifically as an alternative to traditional tamping methods for the restoration of track’s vertical and lateral alignment. The result is a smooth track surface which is immediately available for unrestricted line speeds.

www.harscorail.com

 

[eMeS]

I wouldn't call it a bit of history. It is a common on track machine that works all round the network. Network Rail currently has 14 plain line and three multi-purpose Stoneblowers. Information here: ...

Thanks for the links - that's a very different view from the one I found which took a pessimistic view of their usefulness.

 

[DarloRich]

Thanks for the links - that's a very different view from the one I found which took a pessimistic view of their usefulness.

have you got a link for that?

 

[eMeS]

have you got a link for that?

Here you go... where else for someone not in the industry!

Stoneblower - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sentence before the "References" section

 

[DarloRich]

Here you go... where else for someone not in the industry!

Stoneblower - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sentence before the "References" section

The links don't work and I suspect that information is somewhat aged.

 

[eMeS]

The links don't work and I suspect that information is somewhat aged.

Strange... Checked again, and the link works for me - from my desktop.

 

[Domh245]

Neither of the references about them being a failure in the article work for me either

 

[30907]

Neither of the references about them being a failure in the article work for me either

They appear to refer to the original 1984 model anyway, the oldest current one seems to be 1995. Sorry, can't link a reference, technical issue somewhere.

 

[DarloRich]

i very much doubt NR would be spending money on 3 more if they didn't work!

 

[hwl]

Here you go... where else for someone not in the industry!

Stoneblower - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Sentence before the "References" section

A useful intro video:

 

[hwl]

Neither of the references about them being a failure in the article work for me either

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