Rannoch Station Platforms 1 and 2 required their heights to be re-gauged to a lower level in order to accommodate new Class 153 rolling stock; a Caledonian sleeper that brings increased capacity to the West Highland Line. The disruptive nature of the works meant that the platforms had a planned closure for nine days to accommodate the works. The works were on behalf of CPMS who were the Contractor for the project.
The works included installation of a new drainage Aco system, removal of cope, tactiles and pavers to expose the oversails and concrete deck slab. This was to be excavated and removed to provide the clean surface to lay new copes and surfaces. Tactiles slabs, monoblocking, bedding materials and kerbing were then laid to the specified finish.
Rannoch Station is very remote, located 34 miles from the A9 between Blair Atholl and Pitlochry. The site operations and resource deployment had to be carefully planned and phased to ensure they were carried out effectively to allow works to progress within the boundaries set by the platform closures.
On arrival at the site and in preparations for the works, CPR identified an issue with the platform levels and the consequence of this was that the platform subbase, which was made of granite, would have to be reduced to a deeper level then specified, adding cost and time to the project. To resolve this, CPR co-ordinated with the Design and Project Management stakeholders to gather consensus on the proposed specification and remedial actions required. They then engaged a specialist excavation contractor and added additional night shifts to successfully ensure the 9 day blockade was not breached.
