Network Rail has signed contracts worth up to £1.1 billion with four key suppliers to support the long-term maintenance and renewal of Britain’s railway infrastructure. The major investment covers the provision of on-track machines (OTMs)—specialised maintenance vehicles essential for keeping the nation’s 20,000 miles of track safe and reliable.
The eight-year contracts, which begin in April 2025, have been awarded to:
- Balfour Beatty Rail Limited
- Colas Rail Limited
- Swietelsky Babcock Rail (SB Rail)
- VolkerRail Specialist Businesses Limited
The suppliers will provide a fleet of around 70 OTMs, including tampers and ballast regulators, alongside the skilled personnel required to operate them. These machines play a vital role in routine maintenance, track renewals, and infrastructure upgrades.
OTMs are self-propelled and can operate 24/7, giving Network Rail the flexibility to deploy them rapidly to sites in need, minimising disruption for passengers and freight operators. Together, the fleet is expected to deliver over 14,600 shifts per year, with an operational success rate already exceeding 98%.
Supporting innovation and sustainability
Clive Berrington, Network Rail’s Group Director of Railway Business Services, highlighted the strategic importance of the agreement:
“This contract represents a substantial investment in the vital maintenance and renewal of Britain’s rail network, ensuring that it’s safe and reliable for the benefit of passengers and freight customers.
“The longevity of the contracts gives our suppliers the confidence to invest in new plant and update their fleets, ensuring the deployment of the latest machines and technologies. As part of our ongoing focus on sustainability, the new machines will also have an improved carbon footprint, fostering innovation across the industry.”
The new contracts mark the third generation of OTM agreements and include clauses for performance-based competition throughout the contract period. Underperforming suppliers or equipment can be removed, incentivising continued improvement and accountability.
What OTMs do
As trains pass over the track, they exert huge forces that cause the track structure to shift or settle. OTMs, including tampers and regulators, are used to correct the alignment and level of the track by adjusting and compacting the ballast underneath. This ensures the geometry of the railway remains within its safe design parameters.
With the possibility of a two-year extension, the new contracts could run through to 2035, reinforcing the backbone of Britain’s rail maintenance strategy and enabling a smarter, greener, and more resilient railway for years to come.
