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      Daryl Junior Train Controller

    Location: Carrum Downs
    Does anyone know the grinding schedule?

    I'm thinking of going to Traralgon on Saturday the 5th.

    I imagine they will be busy if there is a deadline at the end of October.
    Posted: 01 Oct 2013 12:01

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      gippslander Chief Commissioner

    Location: Central Gippsland, Vic
    The machine looks like they are still commissioning it - operating between the down side of the station and Liddiard Rd level crossing. They have done a bit of track already and it looks as shiny as Platform 1 Flinders St.
    Posted: 02 Oct 2013 14:05
      speedemon08 Mary

    Location: I think by now you should have figured it out
    [img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/10067051724_2854f15237_z.jpg[/img]


    Started the level crossings just outside of Traralgon today.
    Posted: 03 Oct 2013 20:52
      SN7 Chief Commissioner

    Tomorrow Friday 4 th October,  V/Line are operating a transfer train to Traralgon to work on track circuit testing for the line.

    A 66, P 11 - D 339 - PH 453 - D 322 is the load and will be based in the east for the tests.
    Posted: 03 Oct 2013 21:19
      pcm Station Master

    Any idea how long the train will be down there for?

    Cheers Peter.
    Posted: 03 Oct 2013 22:48
      Russki Beginner

    Evenin' all, I must point out that he machine that is working on the Traralgon to Bairnsdale line is not a "rail grinder".  It is in fact a rail CNC milling machine. There is a big difference.  This is the first time that this technology has been used in Australia.
    Rather than having grinding wheels creating heat and sparks and essentially scraping off the surface of rail, this unit cuts a pre-calculated amount of rail surface off cleanly and very accurately. I think that the current rate that the team is removing is around 1mm. it can be anything like .05 or .1 or .43....if you get my point. (Pardon the pun)

    As well, it must be stated that the removal, is creating a specific profile, which I don't think can name. However, the level of accuracy, to the specified profile now is around .01%.  Someone stated somewhere in the forum that the issue on the line was just rust.  Unfortunately, I don't think there is a non rusty rail line anywhere.
    What this procedure is doing, is create as best a rail-head-to-wheel interface as possible. This would be a great feature to maintain a healthy circuit for operating the crossings.

    As well, the work is being conducted during the day, Monday to Saturday...not at night as someone suggested. If you go and watch the guys at work, you will notice (now that I'm tipping you off) that the machine has as pair of milling cutters which are obviously cutting the rail, followed by a pair of grinding wheels which are lightly touching the surface, removing any facets left. Following behind that, is a pair of brushes, giving the rail an effective wipe,  Trailing behind the machine, is a rather expensive measuring tool which is measuring the longitudinal variation, post process. This gets compared to the pre process readings.

    In answer to the shipping to Gippsland issue, The prime mover section drove up. However, the business end, had to be taken up by float by L. Arthur. Vicroads unfortunately wouldn't give permission for the unit to drive in its proper configuration, as designed for moving on and off rail. A pity, as this unit is used all over Europe, traipsing around villages and main roads. The problem is that the load over the front axle was a tad over the rule book.

    I hope that was of some interest.
    Posted: 05 Oct 2013 20:19
      B 67 Chief Commissioner

    Location: Central Gippsland
    Thanks for the details Russki. Yes, I had noticed that the machine was now being referred to as a "Milling machine" in TV news reports this week. Until then, every reference to it by V/Line and others was as a grinder. The bit earlier about work being carried out at night was likely dubious publicity spin, which we've become accustomed to hearing about this whole saga. Such as "rust", "fog" and "sea air" being the cause. Rolling Eyes A lot of Metro rail works are carried out at night when services cease, so they probably assumed the same in Gippsland, forgetting that no trains were running at all.

    Just good to see something is finally happening.
    Posted: 05 Oct 2013 21:25
      Russki Beginner

    In terms of schedule, with the rail milling machine it's a case of working from Traralgon to Sale in the first phase.  Five crossings have been down, number six on Monday. The progress, is essentially dictated by the condition of the rail. Processing speed is around 450 metres per hour. Sometimes more, sometimes less.  The good thing is, it's all done in one pass. No heat generated and in fact, you can touch the rail after the cutters have passed. All heat is taken up in the chips, which are sucked up into the machine and recycled.

    The machine will relocate from Traralgon and work out of Sale from next week. No doubt the crew, will be at Legends in Sale on Monday night.....as it is Schnitzel Night!!!
    Posted: 05 Oct 2013 21:57
      Russki Beginner

    In terms of schedule, with the rail milling machine it's a case of working from Traralgon to Sale in the first phase.  Five crossings have been down, number six on Monday. The progress, is essentially dictated by the condition of the rail. Processing speed is around 450 metres per hour. Sometimes more, sometimes less.  The good thing is, it's all done in one pass. No heat generated and in fact, you can touch the rail after the cutters have passed. All heat is taken up in the chips, which are sucked up into the machine and recycled.

    The machine will relocate from Traralgon and work out of Sale from next week. No doubt the crew, will be at Legends in Sale on Monday night.....as it is Schnitzel Night!!!
    Russki
    I meant to add as well....the machine will be working the line till around end of October. After that, it is off to Melbourne for a couple of years. then there will definitely be night work. However, compared to the grinding process, this thing is quiet. And, no fumes or sparks. All dust and chips are vacuumed up into the unit.
    Posted: 05 Oct 2013 22:01
      speedemon08 Mary

    Location: I think by now you should have figured it out


    Milling Unit.
    Posted: 05 Oct 2013 22:22
      Nightfire Minister for Railways

    Location: Gippsland
    Is the tractor unit of the machine left hand drive ?

    As It looks like a European type truck tractor with the lazy axel at the rear.
    Posted: 05 Oct 2013 22:48
      Russki Beginner

    Is the tractor unit of the machine left hand drive ?

    As It looks like a European type truck tractor with the lazy axel at the rear.
    Nightfire
    Yep, left hand drive.  It's a MAN unit, highly modified. This particular model is not imported to Australia.

    BTW, I tred to upload a picture, but apparently it has to go to Flickr??  I dragged the image to the area where I was typing, but only a link appeared. Not sure if that is right Sad
    Posted: 06 Oct 2013 11:36
      gippslander Chief Commissioner

    Location: Central Gippsland, Vic
    The test train (P loco-2 vans-A loco) went through the Liddiard Rd crossing on the east side of Traralgon heading towards Rosedale at 10.30 this morning...travelling at a fairly pacy speed. The milling machine was last sighted a few days back working closer to Rosedale.
    Posted: 08 Oct 2013 18:37
      Russki Beginner

    The test train (P loco-2 vans-A loco) went through the Liddiard Rd crossing on the east side of Traralgon heading towards Rosedale at 10.30 this morning...travelling at a fairly pacy speed. The milling machine was last sighted a few days back working closer to Rosedale.
    gippslander
    The crew have moved base to Sale now and are working from there.  Space is a bit of an issue at Traralgon overnight at present.

    About 6 crossings have been done from T'gon towards Sale. However, the lads cruised down from Sale this morning and started work on another crossing.  Accuracy to the prescribed profile is just awesome.

    The test train is going to be doing quite a bit of testing over the weeks I guess.
    Posted: 08 Oct 2013 20:03
      Galron Chief Commissioner

    Location: Werribee, Vic
    this youtube was posted on vlines page today. shows the P-wagons-A at line speed testing a crossing



    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRe7LBgZnVg
    Posted: 11 Oct 2013 22:17
      shozzar Station Staff

    The video was taken at Flynns Ck Rd crossing at Flynn.
    Posted: 12 Oct 2013 14:50
      The Vinelander Minister for Railways

    Location: Ballan, Victoria on the Ballarat RFR Line
    this youtube was posted on vlines page today. shows the P-wagons-A at line speed testing a crossing



    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRe7LBgZnVg
    Galron
    Obviously the 'cameraman' and I use the term loosely, has never heard of the concept of using a tripod OR holding the device as still as possible...Rolling Eyes
    Posted: 13 Oct 2013 07:42
      ANDL36Y Train Controller

    Obviously the 'cameraman' and I use the term loosely, has never heard of the concept of using a tripod OR holding the device as still as possible...Rolling Eyes
    The Vinelander

    I'd suggest it was shot on a mobile phone....
    Posted: 13 Oct 2013 13:08
      gippslander Chief Commissioner

    Location: Central Gippsland, Vic
    Works between Traralgon and Sale have been completed and V/Line passenger services resume on Monday.
    Posted: 18 Oct 2013 18:03
      oldghan Station Master

    Works between Traralgon and Sale have been completed and V/Line passenger services resume on Monday.
    gippslander

    How long did it take in days to complete the traralgon to Sale section?  It has taken a long time to get the machine (why did the victorian rail operator not have one of these machines in the first place) and a much shorter period of time to complete the works.
    Posted: 18 Oct 2013 18:20
      Bree76 Chief Train Controller

    Location: Nibiru
    Just wondering, who owns the rail grinding machine? Are there plans to use it anywhere else around the state in the near future?
    Posted: 19 Oct 2013 19:41
      farmerrex Beginner

    Trains to Sale recommence on Monday 21 October, according to VLine's timetable. What ais the positioning arrengement to get a train to Sale in readiness for an 7.10am departure for Sthn X on Monday?
    Posted: 20 Oct 2013 00:21
      farmerrex Beginner

    Trains to Sale recommence on Monday 21 October, according to VLine's timetable. What ais the positioning arrengement to get a train to Sale in readiness for an 7.10am departure for Sthn X on Monday?
    Posted: 20 Oct 2013 00:22
      vlinecars V/Man - "Yeah!"

    Location: Here, there, everywhere!
    I think this service will remain bussed to Traralgon, then from 8403 (0704 Southern Cross - Sale) onwards all Bairnsdale services will commence/terminate at Sale.
    Posted: 20 Oct 2013 11:46
      trainbrain Chief Commissioner

    Me thinks, the Sunday 6.18pm departure has been extended to Sale.................................
    Posted: 20 Oct 2013 15:45

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