£115 million contract for ‘On Track Machines’ awarded to Balfour Beatty

The international infrastructure group have received the seven-year contract and will be responsible for a 13-strong track maintenance vehicle fleet, known as On Track Machines or Tampers.

Balfour Beatty will be responsible for delivering tamping shifts across Anglia and South-East routes, which are amongst the most heavily used parts of the UK rail network.

The machines undertake maintenance, renewals and upgrade work, to confirm the track is expertly aligned. This enables smooth, efficient and safe journeys for all passengers. Tampers maintain the track by hydraulically lifting the track and packing ballast underneath the sleepers; filling voids and realigning the tracks.

Mark Bullock, Managing Director, Balfour Beatty’s Rail Business, said: “The contract is an important one for both Balfour Beatty and Network Rail as it will ensure the smooth and safe operation of some of the busiest sections of the railway. By operating both Tampers and Stoneblowers for Network Rail, Balfour Beatty is uniquely positioned to offer an integrated track geometry service to the routes.”

Balfour Beatty will be introducing at least two New Tampers for this contract, the first of which is expected to be delivered by 2021.