In a continuation from Tuesday’s works, it was onwards towards Muckleford remedying any faults.

They were generally simple enough fixes, many were replacing failed spring washers on bolts that had come loose for no other good reason.

Lots of gauge correction was undertaken, none of this was staggeringly bad, but it’s easier to correct before it’s a real problem!

By day’s end we got very proficient, getting all the way down to Muckleford Creek Bridge.

Tomorrow’s gang will continue on with these works, however well meet at Muckleford station from 8.15am, as most of the remaining faults are in that region.

Following the track inspection last week, we found quite a few small faults, mainly of the tight gauge variety, that needed rectification.

Why track gauge tightens rather than widens, as the sleepers begin to deteriorate is open to many theories, however this is typically our experience, especially on the straight track.

It’s easily remedied by cross boring (unspiking one rail, drilling new holes to correct gauge and then respiking), however it is only a short term fix as it’s an overall sign the sleepers are nearing the end of their life.

Today’s sizable gang certainly got stuck in and made excellent progress in knocking over a few of the faults, unfortunately there is still many more and that will be the focus of our upcoming workdays, Thursday and Friday we’ll be meeting at Maldon from 8am.

What started a little gloomy turned into a nice day. For the remainder of the inspection we started at Castlemaine and headed through to Muckleford.

A few loose bolts but only a handful were found on the whole inspection.

Only a few minor gauge faults were found, which is always nice.

The main faults were at the concrete sleepers on the 60lb, none were critical, but we’ve installed outer biscuits at each fault as a safeguard.

The only other issue was some wide gauge in Castlemaine Yard which, given we won’t get to resleepeeing in the immediate future, we’ve crossbored it back to gauge to tide us over.

Tomorrow we’ll be in Ballarat doing a little work on Steamrail’s Turntable there, it’s only a very small job and doesn’t require many hands, but you’re welcome to join, meeting at the old Ballarat East Station area around 10am.

Today saw us begin the walking track inspection. Maldon to Muckleford was completed, with a number of faults found, no show stoppers, but things that we’ll need to get to over the coming month.

All going well, we’ll conclude the Walk from Castlemaine to Muckleford on Thursday, however it’s looking like the weather has other plans, so check back tomorrow night for details.