London 2012 blog

On Monday, ODA Chairman John Armitt and Rail Minister, Tom Harris MP opened a new 12-track railway siding at Orient Way, five weeks early and on budget. Railway sidings are used to 'park' the extra trains used during morning and afternoon peak hour that are not needed at other times of the day.

Orient Way and the new 12-track railway siding:

Orient Way replaces the Thornton’s Field siding in the heart of the Olympic Park, which is now being dismantled so it can be used as a logistics site for theconstruction of the Olympic Stadium.

The railway sidings cover an area equivalent to three full-size football pitches:




Here are some photos from the launch event at Orient Way:

ODA Chairman John Armitt and Rail Minister, Tom Harris MP board a train at Liverpool Street station on their way to view the new sidings:



ODA Director of Transport Hugh Sumner, Tom Harris MP and John Armitt:



Tom Harris MP and John Armitt stand by some of the trains parked at Orient Way:



Some interesting facts about the project:

99% of the demolition and site clearance waste from the Orient Way project was recycled. This included:

• 4,000 tonne of crushed concrete (of which 1,000 tonnes was reused on site, 3,000 tonnes was reused off site)
  
• 620 tonnes of tarmac; and
  
• 180 tonnes of steel

In addition, 3,250 yards of track was lifted and reused, which includes:

• 2,070 concrete railway sleepers
  
• 558 tonnes of steel rail; and
  
• 54 tonnes of iron railway castings