We’ve had a very successful day today, replacing 4 failed timbers in the double compound, which has also corrected the last of our gauge faults at Castlemaine (we were actually well within tolerance, however they’re a sign of things letting go, so best to act before they grow).

Once the new timbers were in and fastened up, we set about lifting a quite large dip through the compound and catch points, the result of which is mighty impressive visually, we would think it could make so much difference but it just has a much more cared for and in use look to it now.

Thursday’s crew will be beginning the rerailing of the platform road, starting at the Maldon end. We’ll do this in a couple of bits, first one being using up the 94lb rail sitting there already, followed later by 80lb for the remainder of the platform length (all based on what we have available).

Meeting at the depot at 8am then out by the Platform shortly after.

Tomorrow’s workday will again be at Castlemaine, this time replacing point timbers. Meeting at the depot around 8am then out in the yard by 8.15am ish.

Friday’s workday was a success, with a good number of failed sleepers replaced in 3, 4 & 5 sidings, actually removing all the failed sleepers there, there will be a few more due every year, however we’re much better keeping a stagger going rather than replacing large quantities in one go, lessens the risk of dramatic failure greatly.

A few of Friday’s were in very awkward locations, none the less we managed without causing any damage to the rodding or wires.

We spent a good amount of time Friday tidying up the ballast and it has certainly improved the appearance of the yard dramatically!

Hopefully, tomorrow’s work will be interesting, it’s always fiddly in a turnout, but we like a challenge.

Another glorious winters day, after a very cold start!

We’ve now completed all the replacements we’re going to in 3 and 4 roads, just a bit of tidy up needed tomorrow.

We’ve replaced a few sleepers in 5 siding and prepared tomorrow’s sections by pulling spikes in 3 siding and the turntable road.

Given the cold start that tomorrow will undoubtedly be, we’ll make the start time 8.30am at Castlemaine, as it takes until about then for the machines to warm up!

It started out cold, however it turned into a glorious day.

We managed to install another 26 sleepers into 3 road, all tamped and boxed up etc.. while a further 4 were installed into 4 road, but finishing off them will be a Thursday Job.

We spent quite a lot of time replacing sleepers at the point rodding, this was a fairly slow and delicate process so as not to damage any rodding or wires – we managed to get all replaced without incident! However we did spend a fair amount of that time pinning things out of the way.

A box up and a few runs with the wire brush to expose the fastenings and it’s come up looking pretty ok – certainly better than before. A pass or 2 with the blower Thursday and it’ll come up looking very nice.

Thursday’s gang will focus on 4 road, which should easily be knocked over. Meeting at the depot at 8am or out by the station from 8.15am.