Changes

The majority of the SVR’s 16 miles of track uses bullhead rail. This type of rail was the standard on British railways between the mid-19th and mid-20th centuries. The rail sits in chairs which are in turn attached to the sleepers, and the rail is held fast to the chairs using metal wedges or keys.

After the mid-20th centuryIndividual rails of both types are typically 60 ft in length, Britain’s railway network moved over and are joined to using flat-bottom raileach other by fishplates. This sits directly on The fishplates allow a certain amount of longitudinal movement to cater for expansion and contraction of the sleepers without rails with temperature changes. Each section of the need for chairs, and line is held by regularly inspected to check for faults in the sleepers using Pandrol clips. Some flat-bottom fishplates and rail can be seen on the SVR, including the section near [[Country Park Halt]]fastenings.

Individual rails The 1960s track acquired by the SVR from BR predominantly used wooden sleepers, many of both types are typically 60 ft which were in length, and are joined to each other by fishplatesless than ideal condition. The fishplates allow a certain amount of longitudinal movement to cater Although wooden sleepers have generally been retained in stations for expansion and contraction aesthetic purposes, the rest of the rails with temperature changesline has been re-laid over the years using more modern concrete, or rarely steel, sleepers. Each section A substantial portion of the relaying at the north end of the line is regularly inspected to check for faults in was done during the 1970s with the aid of labour funded by the fishplates and rail fastenings[[Manpower Services Commission]].

 The 1960s track acquired earliest Great Western Railway lines from the company's founding in 1833 were laid to 7'¼" broad gauge. Between 1864 and 1892 all broad gauge and dual gauge lines were gradually converted to 4'8½" standard gauge. This left the GWR with large quantities of surplus broad gauge rails. These rails are recognisable by the SVR from BR predominantly used wooden sleepers, their distinctive top hat section and many examples of which were in less than ideal condition. Although wooden sleepers have generally been retained in stations their reuse as fence posts or for aesthetic similar purposes, can be seen alongside the rest of the line has been re-laid over the years using more modern concrete sleeperscurrent SVR.

File:Bullhead_Rail_20150528Broad gauge rail 1.jpg |A fishplate joining two lengths of bullhead railMilepost at KidderminsterFile: Flat-bottom_rail_20150528Broad gauge rail 2.jpg | Flat-bottom rail near Country Park HaltGatepost at TrimpleyFile:Les sabots rouges (Pandrol clips) - geograph.org.uk - 667729Broad gauge rail 3.jpg | Pandrol clips (Wikimedia Commons)Fencepost near Northwood