During the spring break in 2023, Swietelsky carried out track maintenance in the Willemsspoortunnel between Rotterdam Centraal and Rotterdam Zuid. We renewed the rails and replaced wooden sleepers, introducing additional measures to reduce dust and noise in the tunnel. For the first time, we deployed a track renewal train (RUS1000). 

Track maintenance in the Willemsspoortunnel

During the spring holiday, from 26 February to 5 March 2023, Swietelsky Rail carried out track maintenance work in the Willemsspoortunnel between Rotterdam Centraal and Rotterdam Zuid. During this period, we renewed part of the rails and replaced the wooden sleepers on two tracks.

Working in a tunnel presented different challenges than working in the open air. We took additional precautionary measures to protect employees from dust and noise. For example, we wetted the ballast and fitted filters to the machines. An additional challenge was dissipating the heat generated by the renewal train, as the tunnel’s regular ventilation system was insufficient for this purpose. We therefore installed extra fans on the work train and on the platform at Blaak station.

This was the first time we used a renewal train in a tunnel in the Netherlands. We worked with the RUS1000, which lifted the track, renewed the sleepers and rails, and then repositioned the track. We returned in the summer for the second phase of this renewal project and replaced the sleepers on the third track.