How do you swap a rail bride over in 36 hours? https://vimeo.com/117234750 Build most of it when the trains are still running then do this.
differentthings,
Apr 7, 4:15pm
Only watched a little bit of it. Was that the one they were building in Te Puna. (north of tga)
clark20,
Apr 7, 4:31pm
Maybe someone has an answer, why still put stone (rocks) down on the bridge
tonijo,
Apr 7, 4:36pm
Dr Google says:
1) It prevents the rails from moving sideways which would be the natural tendency around most curves - the train would normally push the lines outward and the ballast stops this happening for the most part. 2) It provides a cushion and a bed for the track to lie on - the cushioning effect gives a smoother train ride and prevents hard jolting, and the bed means the rails won't sink into the ground in some places which would give a rollercoaster-like ride and be very uncomfortable as well as dangerous. 3) It aids drainage of the rail lines - the water will not be able to sit around the sleepers or ties which could rust or rot them, and similarly the steel rails, but it drains through the ballast and away. 4) It is an easy way to make a level running surface for trains - special track tamping machines are used to re-pack these ballast rocks around and underneath rails where they have been pushed out by the constant passing and vibration of trains. Much easier than trying to make a completely level track bed on the earth, and cheaper than using concrete beds all the way too.
clark20,
Apr 7, 5:13pm
But on a bridge you have a flat level surface, no curve etc. A lot are steel with no stone.
philltauranga,
Apr 7, 6:55pm
Was built in Omokoroa North of Tauranga. I think the ballast on the bridge deck is some thing to do with having a flexible bed to ride on as the ballast allows the tracks to flex under the weight, and this reduces the stress on the bridge. Also noise, if you heard the roar the train made on the original steel bridge, now its much the same as on normal ground. Not to sure tho I was only there to transport the decks, so didn't ask to many questions.
A portaloo appeared right up next to bridge, then went. Did someone eat a curry?
mrcat1,
Apr 7, 7:50pm
I believe they are building the bridges like this and 48 on Apata station road we swapped so they can run the ballast cleaner straight over them without having to stop and restart the cleaner, and also for the tamper to work and re grade the track.
mrcat1,
Apr 7, 7:55pm
Hi Phil, thanks for that, I hadn't seen that movie, I knew they were doing it but hadn't seen it, the good old CAT of mine can certainly move, beat all those other wanter be diggers.
mrcat1,
Apr 7, 7:56pm
I shifted that portaloo 3 times on that job, the second time was right in my way to dig out to lower the ballast against the headstock.
henderson_guy,
Apr 8, 12:34am
That's pretty neat!
mrcat1,
Apr 8, 5:26pm
Hey Phil, here is the time lapse of bridge 48 we did as well in 36 hours, you may have not seen this one, it was on Apata Station road. Just watch the magic CAT going from one side to the other.
That was a new crane as well, I could comment on that video but I wont on a public message board, lets just say it was something that could of been avoided.
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