The BPLR Today

Our railway follows the original track line along the West side of Barking Park, from the Gates in Longbridge Road to the Boating Lake, a distance of approximately 340 metres. With a turn table at one end and run-round loops.

The original line ran in a long depression next to the road which was the main cause of the steel sleepers corroding. The trackbed has been raised and now runs at the same level as the road. The whole length of the railway has been laid with ‘M.O.T type 1’ on geotextile, ‘Terram’, to a minimum depth of 150mm. This is held in place at the sides with 150x50mm tanalised timber.

The track itself is 8lb per yard steel rail on 3”x2”x19” tanalised timber sleepers that we have treated with wood preserver prior to laying. The track is fixed to the sleepers with 8x50mm BZP bolts and penny washers.

The ‘points’ or ‘turnouts’ were pre made and delivered to site. Our minimum radius is 35 foot or approximately 11 meters if you prefer.

The track-bed has been relaid and is now level with the road.

This photo shows example of our track, prior to ballasting, showing the sleeper spacing at 12” centres and fixings.