The LNER Encyclopedia

A question for preservationists here. Say Network Rail were replacing a stretch of track laid with bullhead rail and you could buy the track in complete 60 foot panels, how much would such a panel typically cost at current prices ?

Scrap value of materials, depreciated asset value, or Notwork Rail's rip-off price to likely punters? And what use is a whole panel, as it's manoeuvrability is extremely limited?

Getting a panel of track from NWR is unlikely as the method of uplift nowadays means rails are usually cut short into 15ft pieces.
Best bet is to contact one of the dealers specialising in second hand material.

As for using second hand 60ft rail scrap price will be about £150 per tonne which will be approx 1 x 60ft rail
You might be able to source materials from one of the Heritage railways like the NYMR.
Timber Sleepers of decent quality suitable for reuse £30 x 24. However Concrete might work out a lot cheaper.
Chairs approx £3 each x 2 x 24
Screws £1 each x 6 x 24
Fishplates basic straights approx £100 each set, up to £400 for specials.

For new material in full A1 spec
FB 113 Rail £1000 each
Sleepers fully fitted with pads and clips £70 each x 26 or 28

Now add in cost of moving it, installing it, Ballast, Tamping or packing and handtool costs, a new clip installer is approx £45.
Welding instead of plates £200 each weld.

Is that any use?

Yes that is some use I am not trying to get an exact price but I found a ballpark figure on another forum which said £400 was a price for a 60ft panel and I wanted to know whether this was still true as the prices of scrap are fairly volatile. I am not planning to go to NR and start buying large quantities of track
To be more specific I was thinking when NR were lifting the Leamside line what sort of price would they have been asking.

Probably scrap price per tonne of rail less cost of cutting on site and transport so maybe £100 / Tonne instead of £150 and £3 - £5 per sleeper.
May get a bit more money for recovering ballast as well.

Wasn't most of the track recovered from the Leamside earmarked for elsewhere? I know that a lot went to Scotland for the Borders Railway/Waverley Route rebuilding. I think that some went to the Tanfield too.

From what I have seen of the Borders project on film clips, it has been relaid totally with all new sleepers and rails.
So doubtful that anything from the Leamside would have been used there.

I think Mark means the preservation project at Whitrope ?

Totally forgot about that one.