conifer takedown by main line railway

[likeitorlumpit]

I would like some advice if possible

We have been asked to remove 2no. 40ft conifers growing about 15ft from the mainline just outside the track fence. They are in a customers garden.

The line is busy

My gut feeling is walk away but I'd love to know how hard it can be.

Without the track nearby the job would be relatively straightforward.

I'm assuming we would have to inform network rail and be restricted but is it worth the aggro (tickets etc). I do like a challenge though.

[Rupe]

If they are outside the fence then just crack on with it! Dismantle them, you cant fell unless you have 2x safe distance so its a dismantle job, no worries. Dont climb over the fence though, and dont drop anything that side.

[jltree]

Do the lines have overheads? Esasy enough saying just to crack on..But think about it. You make a mistake and you wont be cracking a greenhouse or a shed. Could find yourself behind bars. If you dont inform Network rail and a driver reports you {which they like to do} then they will come out and stop you, even when your on 3rd party land. If they deem that if you make a mistake and you could cause damage to rail infrastructure. What if you drop a branch lineside if the fence? |Howwould you retrieve it...

Lots of people would say do it and forget about the rail as your not on there side but itsd not them who could end up in court or there business they will lose.. Will your insurance cover you? I know its a pretty expensive extra on mine

[likeitorlumpit]

Yes it is very close but not on their land- I would imagine the driver would report as it's pretty obvious we were there. Plus as you know- I can't 100% guarantee we won't drop something over their fence. I'm imagining a branch floating down onto their rails and the adrenaline rush THAT would result in. There are no overhead power lines.

[Andy Collins]

I had a similar job, notified the Network Rail office, they sent a guy out from Waterloo who assessed the risk. They then gave me the green light to go ahead, they informed drivers that work is being undertaken, and I was given a warning toot as the train approached. This was no more than 2 years ago, and to be honest I was hoping that Network Rail would send their own tree team out to do it. It was a mainline with overhead lines, and those trains motor throughout the straight!!

[Minotaur]

I worked on the railway and been in your shoes too - my opinion is, if you think you can do it without any prolem then carry on, but do check your insurance.

If you are careful then you shouldn't have a problem, anything too big or heavy for a good hand hold, then rope it. Whats your dropzone like? If big enough you could trim up the stems them pull over with rope or winch?

 

Be on the safe side and warn the railway, but its your job and your risk, so your decision.

 

As an aside I took down 3 sixty foot Conifers today and not one bit bigger than my finger went over the 'wrong' side of the fence.