Victa and our HS1 Journey: A Look Back at CTRL Phase 1

Next in our Victa at 30 series we take a look back at the major Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) Phase 1 project. Now known as High Speed 1, when this project was in its construction phase, Victa Railfreight was presented with a challenge that would define our capabilities as a specialist rail solutions provider. 

But the story starts even earlier. Having been involved in Channel Tunnel construction during British Rail days, Neil Sime was keen to see if the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link through Kent offered any possibilities for Victa. 

To cut a very long story short, an entrée was provided for some consultancy work on the design of Beechbrook Farm Railhead near Ashford—a site specially constructed for CTRL and now restored to farmland. That consultancy led to an introduction to the Project Management Team, and through railway contacts, Victa ended up solving a significant cost and operational challenge for main contractor Amec-Spie. 

This breakthrough opened the door to something much bigger: the opportunity to operate the railhead, which serviced track-laying and overhead line construction for Phase 1—from the Channel Tunnel to Fawkham Junction near Swanley.

Later other opportunities to support the project, including a revised (and more cost effective solution) to resourcing the trains to erect the overhead power lines for the new trains gave further scope for Victa’s innovative and collaborative approach.

The Railhead: A “Train Set” on a Grand Scale 

Beechbrook Farm wasn’t just a yard—it was a railway network in its own right. With 40km of track and 63 point ends, it earned the affectionate nickname “the train set.” And for good reason. 

A Turnkey Solution for a Mega Project 

Our role was far more than simply moving trains. Victa delivered a full turnkey solution, which included: 

• Train planning - for up to forty train movements per day, both inbound material supply trains received from the national rail network and for the multiplicity of trains dispatched each day from Beechbrook Farm onto the CTRL Construction “trace”, a seventy mile linear construction site. This required precise planning to ensure that materials trains were delivered in the right order to maximise construction efficiency.

• Locomotive and rolling stock hire and maintenance – ensuring reliable traction for the vast number of movements required and specialist wagons for specific loads.

• Yard operations and staffing – deploying skilled Yardmasters and crews to manage complex shunting and train assembly, ensuring that the right materials were delivered to the various worksites each morning.

• Management of the construction site (“the trace”) - supplying rail movement controllers for the train movements on the entire project, Worksite Safety Supervisors and associated compliance support.

• Safety and compliance – maintaining rigorous standards in a high-pressure environment. 

• Around the yard - Managing and performing various loading and unloading duties, including planning and examination of complex loads. Controlling the stores for railway and safety-related equipment

This was a bold demonstration of what a flexible, agile business could achieve when trusted with a critical piece of a major infrastructure project. 

The Scale and the Spirit 

Operating at Beechbrook Farm wasn’t just about logistics—it was about teamwork, innovation, and adaptability. Our small but highly skilled team worked tirelessly to keep the railhead running smoothly, supporting the construction of Britain’s first high-speed railway. 

Looking back, this project showcased the essence of Victa Railfreight: specialist knowledge, hands-on expertise, and a commitment to delivering solutions that others might consider impossible. 

Coming Up Next: Collaboration at Beechbrook Farm 

This story is just the beginning. In our next post, we’ll dive into the collaborative spirit that made CTRL Phase 1 possible—how Victa worked hand-in-hand with contractors, engineers, and other stakeholders to keep Britain’s first high-speed rail project on track. 

🔗 Were you part of the CTRL Phase 1 journey? Share your memories or tag someone who helped build the “train set”!