On Thursday 17th September 2015 you will have the opportunity to take part in our exciting Technical Tours!
Spaces are limited so please ensure you book your space when you register for the conference.
All delegates who are pre booked on the Technical Tours should meet in the Strathblane Hall, EICC. Coaches and walking tours will depart at 14:00 and will return back to the EICC between 17:00/18:00 hrs
Firth of Forth: Queensferry Crossing
Price: £30
Delegates will take a boat trip on the Maid of the Forth to view the construction works for the Queensferry Crossing cable-stayed bridge and the existing cantilever rail and suspension road bridges. There will also be a visit to the Education and Contact Centre for the Queensferry Crossing where the investigation and construction of Scotland’s landmark project will be explained.
The Railway Research Centre
Price: £20
The Railway Research Centre at Heriot- Watt University investigates the main issues for modern rail networks which include the need to cope with more traffic, heavier loads and higher speeds. It includes the UK’s biggest purpose built laboratory test track bed, which can predict the effects of high speed trains and simulate the effects of decades of operation on major lines
Antonine (Roman) Wall
Price: £30
The Antonine Wall is the most northerly of the Roman Empire’s defenses and part of the World Heritage “Roman Frontiers” site. The visit will include Rough Castle, the best preserved for with highly visible earthworks construction; Watling Lodge with excellent surviving sections of ditch and bank; and the Castlecary section of the wall, where the effects of mining collapse will be discussed.
Haymarket Rail Tunnel Upgrade
Price: £20
Visit to inspection and monitoring work at Haymarket Tunnel, a key part of the Edinburgh rail infrastructure, dating back to the 1830s. Edinburgh’s Haymarket Rail Station is the most congested in Scotland having achieved passenger growth of 138% in the 15 years to 2012 ( compared to the 47% national average). The tunnel works are an important part of the overall upgrade of the station to cope with radically increased passenger traffic.
Edinburgh Geological Tour
Price: £30
A series of walking tours of Edinburgh’s Geology, based around Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Park, George Square Buildings, Carlton Hill building stone and possibly the Geology of Queensferry Oil Shales. (The cost of these tours includes a donation of £10 per head to the Edinburgh Geological Society to help support their very valuable educational activities in the future).
Falkirk Wheel
Price: £30
A visit to one of the 21st century engineering wonders, the visitor centre provides excellent details of the construction of the canals and the unique boat lift which links the Union, and Forth-Clyde Canals. Delegates will take a boat trip on the lift that link the two canals.
Please note that tours may be cancelled if there is/are insufficient interest/participants.
Delegates will be advised if this occurs and will be asked to select an alternative tour.