Pipeline Crossing

We finally made it!!!

We set about the project of resleepering the curves between Pipeline Crossing and the UP end of the long straight that runs through Bendigo Road back at the start of March and less than 7 weeks later here we are.

There will be lots of exciting statistics in regards to total sleepers, length re-sleepered etc… once we’ve had the time to finish crunching the numbers.

Yesterday’s machinery day placed us in a good position to hit the ground running today.

One of the challenges with 2nd hand stuff, is the stuff left behind from its past life. It has been quite a common issue to have a broken off clip stuck in a sleeper, however a gentle tap is often all it takes to free the offending item.

The team proudly installing the final clips.

Quite a time was spent getting the ramp down to the crossing correct.

The crossing could still come up another few inches, however until we’ve resleepered the otherside we’ll leave it like this, which is very acceptable and quite a lot better than it was previously.

Lunch was had in such a location as to admire the accomplishment. And what an accomplishment it really is!

Some dip removal and gravel smoothing finished off that part of the job excellently.

The job is certainly not finished, despite still requiring significant quantities of ballast and a full production tamp and line, in the immediate future we still need to scrape back in what little shoulder there is, clean out the drains, move the last of the timber off site and collect any unused concretes.

However, it is now far closer to the end than the beginning! Only around 6kms to go between Maldon and Muckleford that needs the same treatment…

All that have been involved should feel extremely proud of their efforts!

While today was a real milestone, it’s not quite pack up and go home yet, we’ve still got a large pile of sleepers to sort, bundle and transport to Maldon tomorrow. 

Tomorrow’s crew will meet at Maldon at 8am as we’ll be in need of a few drivers to bring the vehicles out.