INDUSTRY leaders are hailing the 79-day Derby blockade as a great success after the remodelled station was handed back on schedule on October 8.
In the early hours of the morning, Network Rail and its contractors removed the final pieces of equipment and machinery from the lines to the north of Derby station, allowing East Midlands Trains and CrossCountry to restore a full train service for the first time since July 22.
More than 600,000 hours of work went into the project, which has delivered major improvements to track and signalling. It was all part of the Midland Main Line Upgrade, which was originally to have included electrification by 2021.
Redesigned trackwork reduces conflicting moves and increases speeds in and around the station, with CrossCountry and Midland Main Line trains now separated and an extra through platform provided to increase capacity.
Read more in the November issue of The RM – on sale now!
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