British Railways on its formation in 1948 had to take on the responsibility for track, bridges, tunnels, embankments, stations, warehouses and works!

This was a mammoth task but managing the road (track) was akin to a ‘Gordian Knot’. An old loco man will tell you that you have to maintain a good top to the road, which means level and smooth riding, and good alignment. Over time the road ‘creeps’ and maintenance has to be carried out around the clock, to ensure safety.

Before nationalisation, if a serious accident occurred then it was the responsibility of the railway companies – now it was the government.

This made politicians jittery and public opinion about accidents and deaths could now be placed at the government’s door.

In this country the railway’s track quality has always been regarded of high quality. In the USA they, like us, do use flat bottomed track on sleepers, but – unlike us – they spike the rails directly to the sleepers. Here the rail rests on a chair and is then clipped to the chair which is secured to the sleeper by bolts or screws.

Today in Europe the rail is laid in long lengths and is capable of taking trains running at 150mph.

Clay is the enemy of the permanent way crew, as it works its way up through (squeezed) the ballast and causes the track itself to become marshmallow like, as well as creating patches that are permanently waterlogged.

Different methods are used to prevent the clay from squeezing through, by using a barrier to prevent this such as gravel and crushed rock.

The Western region had its own headaches, which will be familiar to many Swindonians, who travelled away on trips. That is the track in Devon at Dawlish and Teignmouth, this stretch being right on the seafront.

Even today it needs to be watched continuously – it looks spectacular in any storm as many drivers will tell you; as the sea smashes against the wall cascading water over the train. It is continuing today and this dedicated work that hails back to the days of GWR ownership keeps the seafront track safe and in operation.

In the 1980s the track slipped at Wootton Bassett, and thousands upon thousands of tons of stone were poured into the gaping hole that threatened to swallow the whole embankment.

Stabilisation of the Marston Embankment between Gable Cross and Acorn Bridge is another earth work that has caused some excitement over the years and many similar earthworks around the Western region were under constant vigilance.

That is why it is right that Network Rail have the responsibility for the track and its associated safety on today’s railways. Yes, it may be a leftover from nationalisation, but for me a welcome one.