Another big day of sleeper dropouts, only 898 sleepers were dropped out today, still lots, but not quite as impressive as yesterday’s 1,337.
The main focus was again in the region of pipeline crossing, this time on the Down Side or as depicted here, being dropped out for use on the Down side of the crossing. There isn’t an enormous number of locations to unload along this section, being either on embankments or in cuttings, so we’ve had to unload heavily at a few select sites.
The equivalent to another train load of sleepers were loaded at Muckleford, and it is starting to show a notable dint in the stockpile there.
We’ve decided to be more effective at this, it’s time to drag the other two flat wagons back in as sleeper carriers, taking the full train up to 6 wagons, and allow around 600 per train rather than the current 450, keeping just inside the load limit for a Y class. The extra wagons, QN ballast types, haven’t seen much use for a few years, so before we press them into heavy service they’ll be given exams at Castlemaine – but it would be rude if they just got a free ride to Castlemaine, hence they were put to work on their delivery to the workshops.
The afternoon saw us mix things up a little, with 264 low profile sleepers taken through to Maclise Street Crossing, for spot replacement between Rowe St and Midland Hwy crossings over the next 2 weeks (while the extra wagons are being prepared for the next sleeper trains).
Next week, we’ll try to get at least 150 inserted between Rowe St and Midland Hwy, provided the weather is reasonably kind we should do fairly well, check back Monday for details of Tuesday, however all being well, meeting by Rowe Street Crossing at 8am.
VGR Civil Blog 