Emergency response key to vital transport link repair works

Dalnaspidal, Scotland

Project Overview

Location	Dalnaspidal
Sector	Rail
Products	Monitoring

When damage was detected to two gabion retaining walls downhill from the HGL2 rail lines near Dalnaspidal in Scotland, Story Contracting was tasked with attending to both assets. However, the close proximity to the live rail infrastructure presented a major challenge, with our monitoring solutions called upon to ensure the safe and timely delivery of the repair works.

The challenge

Critical transport link at risk

The HGL2 line, running 117 miles from Stanley Junction to Inverness, is a key route between Perth and Inverness. Damage to two gabion retaining walls created an urgent landslide risk, requiring a fast response to keep the line safe.

Stabilising the embankments

Story Contracting was tasked with installing Anchor Rows and Weld Mesh to stabilise the embankments before carefully removing the damaged gabion walls, preventing collapse into the river or back onto the slope.

Monitoring and specialist support

Both sites sat close to the rail line, so even minor movement could be critical. Mabey Hire’s monitoring systems ensured continuous oversight, keeping the works safe and compliant with Network Rail standards.

Our solution

Our wide range of monitoring solutions are available for a variety of applications, including track and embankment monitoring. Our sensors can accurately and efficiently measure any changes to track geometry and relay this information directly to our real-time monitoring website portal, Insite, allowing contractors to access their data whenever needed.

David continued: “On a time-sensitive project such as this, it was essential that all equipment and processes were implemented quickly and efficiently. Mabey Hire understood this urgency, supplying its monitoring solutions speedily and proficiently, as well as providing us with expert assistance throughout the whole project. The team designed and installed bespoke monitoring systems on site, with the data then fed back to us in real-time through Mabey Hire’s Insite web portal, allowing us to constantly see the condition of the tracks and embankment.”

Get in touch

Jim Heaton, Monitoring Engineer at Mabey Hire, spoke on the project, saying: “We were first contacted by Story Contracting in early June and just two weeks later we had installed the track monitoring onto the first site, with the embankment monitoring following a week later.

“The scheme involved the installation of bi-axial wireless tilt sensors, mounted onto the sleeper ends of both lines and on ground spikes for the embankments. We also supplied void meter and track temperature monitors, as well as data loggers and UPS tools with solar panels, allowing for any changes to be observed with ease.”

On a time-sensitive project such as this, it was essential that all equipment and processes were implemented quickly and efficiently. Mabey Hire understood this urgency, supplying its monitoring
solutions speedily and proficiently, as well as providing us with expert assistance throughout the whole project. The team designed and installed bespoke monitoring systems on site, with the data then fed back to us in real-time through Mabey Hire’s Insite web portal, allowing us to constantly see the condition of the tracks and embankment.

David Hamilton

Senior Project Manager, Story Contracting