Railtrack plc

Railtrack renews pumping station at Severn tunnel
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date 3 December 1996
source Railtrack plc
type Press release

Martin Reynolds, Director Railtrack Great Western unveiled a plaque at Sudbrook pumping station, near Chepstow today to mark the completion of a major refurbishment of this masterpiece of Victorian engineering.

The work has involved the renewal of pumps installed in the 1950s and the addition of state-of-the-art control and data analysis equipment. The electrical distribution system has also been changed and the tunnel's huge centrifugal ventilation fan has been replaced by four new axial fans.

The work has taken three years to complete and cost over £10 million. Project managed by Railtrack Major Projects Division, the main contractor was ESB International based in Kingston, Surrey. Bernard Chudley, General Manager at ESB International said: "Retrofitting millions of pounds of new plant and buildings into an environment over 100 years old that can never be shut down is technically challenging. It is very satisfying to see the project brought to a successful conclusion."

The tunnel was built in the 1880s when the Great Spring was discovered deep underground and powerful pumps were installed to keep the tunnel permanently dry. Since the 4.5 mile under river crossing opened to traffic in 1886 pumping has been continuous.

Crystal clear spring water is constantly pumped below the railway tunnel, which passes under the River Severn, at an average rate of 11 million gallons, every 24 hours, to allow trains to keep running on the Great Western line between England and Wales.

A total of 14 pumps in five shafts were replaced and safety access to the railway line underground has also been upgraded. A substantial new lift has been built within one of Sudbrook's 200 foot deep pumping shafts and a new full height tunnel now connects the shaft with the railway tunnel.

Plans were in place to ensure that the pumps kept working while the refurbishment was underway and all changes were done sequentially. A considerable amount of extra capacity is also built into the new scheme to provide a vital back up system. This will ensure that the site is permanently operational well into the new millennium.

Railhub Archive ::: 1996-12-03 RTK-001