Project Overview
Aureos is delivering slab track renewals across Scotland following appointment to Network Rail's four-year Scotland Railway Slab Track Repair and Maintenance Framework.
Unlike traditional railway track slab track involves rails fixed directly to a concrete base rather than on stone ballast. While it forms only a small part of the UK rail network, it plays a vital role in locations that require greater stability or reduced noise like tunnels.
Sector:
Transportation
Region:
Scotland
Service:
Onsite Delivery
Client:
Network Rail
Scotland currently has around 29km of slab track, much of it located on key routes around Glasgow. As this infrastructure continues to age, repair and renewal work is needed to ensure the railway remains safe, reliable and fit for purpose.
Renewing Ageing Infrastructure
Much of Scotland's slab track network is now reaching the stage where repair or replacement is required. Without ongoing maintenance and renewal, ageing assets can increase the risk of failures, service disruption and line closures across important routes.
The project also presented significant delivery challenges. Most renewal activities take place within Standard Engineering Access Times, which typically provide a working window of just three to four hours per shift. This means teams must complete complex work safely and efficiently within very tight timeframes.
At the same time, Aureos needed to mobilise quickly following the framework award to ensure there was no interruption to the delivery of critical maintenance works. Establishing a new delivery operation, transferring teams from the previous contractor and ensuring all safety, assurance and operational requirements were in place had to be achieved within a matter of weeks.
Rapid Mobilisation to Keep Essential Works Moving
Following the contract going live with Network Rail in late January, Aureos rapidly mobilised resources from across the business to enable work to begin in early February.
Teams worked collaboratively to complete inductions, prepare assurance and project documentation, and coordinate the complex logistics needed to safely start delivery. New offices and depot facilities were established in Glasgow, creating a strong operational base for the programme.
Working closely with Network Rail, Aureos also supported the successful transfer of personnel and knowledge from the previous contractor, ensuring continuity across the framework and enabling critical route works to continue without disruption.
Despite the short access windows available on track, careful planning, strong coordination and a commitment from teams across the business ensured every shift could be used effectively. The rapid mobilisation demonstrated Aureos' ability to bring together operational, engineering and support functions to deliver at pace while maintaining high standards of safety and quality.
Building a Strong Foundation for Long-Term Delivery
The successful mobilisation enabled Aureos to have teams working on site within two weeks of contract commencement, ensuring essential slab track repairs and renewals could continue without delay.
Early engagement and close collaboration with Network Rail helped create a smooth transition and establish a strong working relationship from the outset. The programme is now helping to protect a critical part of Scotland's railway infrastructure by ensuring ageing slab track remains safe, reliable and fit for future use.
The project has also strengthened Aureos' presence in Scotland and provides an important opportunity to demonstrate the company's capabilities on a major rail framework. With delivery already under way and positive feedback from the client, the programme has created strong foundations for a successful long-term partnership with Network Rail and continued growth across the Scottish rail sector.