Tramway Track Installation in Sheffield

LR55 at road crossing - Sheffield Supertram 1996 - present
Installed to replace failing girder rail track

Tram about to pass onto LR55

Over a weekend in March 1996 a 16m length of LR55 track was installed on a single track section of the Supertramway, at a point where some 300 LRVs and 100 HGVs impact per day (a total of about 120000 vehicles pa, or about 6million tonnes pa). A failure of this length would halt the main line to Meadowhall. The track was installed one rail per night time possession, without interuption of day time rail service or road traffic. This installation has been monitored regularly, and the alignment measured for stability.

Transition to LR55 track

In a great vote of confidence the installation was accepted by South Yorkshire Supertram Ltd. into its maintenance responsibilty in Sept 1996. The original intention was that maintenance would be undertaken by the promoters of LR55.

Lorry crossing LR55 track