I have not actually looked at this section of track but I would suggest there would be date nails in sleepers there and that project ceased in 1972. Heath , It could be a useful school holiday project for you to do an audit of the track.
Port Lincoln notes
patsstuffnow
Junior Train Controller
YM-Mundrabilla
Minister for Railways
Location: Mundrabilla but I'd rather be in Narvik
Given that it is now nearly 12 months since this derailment, the damning contents of the ATSB report and the statement that major rectification work would be undertaken in 2015, what has been done to date and what is the National Rail Safety Regulator doing about the actions (inaction) that allowed the track condition to occur in the first place?After a couple of false starts over the last year or so, track maintenance on the Port Lincoln Division was finally taken in-house by GWA on 1 October, replacing Transfield Services as contractor.
ATSB report into the 23 October 2014 derailment of the gypsum train between Penong Junction and Thevenard has been completed ...It was evident from the ATSB’s investigation that defect monitoring and reporting was not being conducted as specified in the relevant Code of Practice. As such, awareness of the rail condition and deterioration was reduced and remedial maintenance actions were not being planned or implemented.Full report at Derailment of train 5DD2 at Ceduna, South Australia on 23 October 2014
The ATSB also found that Genesee & Wyoming Australia’s maintenance oversight had been limited, allowing the track to deteriorate to a point where trains could not be run safely.
Richard.
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
I can't comment on internal GWA matters. As for track rehabilitation, there has been a lot of work done on the Thevenard-Kevin line this year. Some rerailing, rail welding and ballasting. TSRs have been reduced, and the rate of failures in locomotives due to the state of the track has reduced significantly.
This work was finally able to proceed when Gypsum Resources Australia signed a haulage contract. Previously trains had run on a month-to-month arrangement, which doesn't exactly encourage investment in infrastructure.
This work was finally able to proceed when Gypsum Resources Australia signed a haulage contract. Previously trains had run on a month-to-month arrangement, which doesn't exactly encourage investment in infrastructure.
Gayspie
Deputy Commissioner
Location: Adelaide, SA
...but I would suggest there would be date nails in sleepers there and that project ceased in 1972.Can anyone confirm if the sleepers in that section are really from the early 1970's, considering a wooden sleepers lifespan is 20 years maximum?
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
Heath, in the real world theoretical lifespans don't necessarily mean much. 20 years would be right for a heavily-trafficked main line, but in a lightly-trafficked line in a low-rainfall (borderline arid) area, sleepers can last a lot longer. Yes, they deteriorate, but on lines such as Wudinna-Penong Junction, track crews replace say every third sleeper over time and leave the other older sleepers in place. Speed restrictions also reduce the impact trains have on the track.
So yes, it is highly likely that there are 1970s sleepers in this section. It is also certain that quite a few would have been replaced with new sleepers over the years. This is what is called "fit for purpose" - there's no economic justification for spending vast amounts on superb trackwork if the revenue traffic passing over it won't even come close to paying for it.
So yes, it is highly likely that there are 1970s sleepers in this section. It is also certain that quite a few would have been replaced with new sleepers over the years. This is what is called "fit for purpose" - there's no economic justification for spending vast amounts on superb trackwork if the revenue traffic passing over it won't even come close to paying for it.
Gayspie
Deputy Commissioner
Location: Adelaide, SA
What would it cost to replace every 4 sleepers on a line for lets say 1 kilometer?
YM-Mundrabilla
Minister for Railways
Location: Mundrabilla but I'd rather be in Narvik
What would it cost to replace every 4 sleepers on a line for lets say 1 kilometer?Say something around $250/sleeper in the track.
At 1,600 sleepers/km (done properly haha) = 400 sleepers @ $250 = $100,000 minimum by my arithmetic. Plus ballast.
Very rough as so much depends on location and other conditions.
Improved estimates welcome.
YM-Mundrabilla
Minister for Railways
Location: Mundrabilla but I'd rather be in Narvik
There are sleepers and sleepers....but I would suggest there would be date nails in sleepers there and that project ceased in 1972.Can anyone confirm if the sleepers in that section are really from the early 1970's, considering a wooden sleepers lifespan is 20 years maximum?
By way of example, I used relatively new (at the time) WA hardwood sleepers ex the Trans line concrete resleepering and also much older ex SAR sleepers in garden landscaping years ago.
The better looking WA hardwood sleepers ex the TAR turned out to be rubbish and have been long gone whilst the rougher looking SAR sleepers are still going strong and certain unnamed railways would probably be happy to put them back in the track as they are better than a lot of their sleepers still in use.
nm39
Chief Commissioner
Location: By a road taking pictures
Heath, in the real world theoretical lifespans don't necessarily mean much. 20 years would be right for a heavily-trafficked main line, but in a lightly-trafficked line in a low-rainfall (borderline arid) area, sleepers can last a lot longer. Yes, they deteriorate, but on lines such as Wudinna-Penong Junction, track crews replace say every third sleeper over time and leave the other older sleepers in place. Speed restrictions also reduce the impact trains have on the track.
So yes, it is highly likely that there are 1970s sleepers in this section. It is also certain that quite a few would have been replaced with new sleepers over the years. This is what is called "fit for purpose" - there's no economic justification for spending vast amounts on superb trackwork if the revenue traffic passing over it won't even come close to paying for it.
And then, if the sleepers were creosote treated they lasted longer again. Some creosote treated sleepers can still be found in use even though it has been banned for many decades.
NOELWB
Locomotive Driver
Given that the grain harvest is well underway, has there been an increase in rail traffic on the peninsula and if so is there a regular schedule.
Thanks for any info
Thanks for any info
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
There is only one grain consist operating out of Port Lincoln. Normal length now is 64 hoppers, hauled by the two 1200s (ex WAGR A class) and two 830s/900s. In the Daylight Saving months it runs empty out of Lincoln in daylight, returning loaded overnight. Currently it is departing Port Lincoln between 11am and 12 noon, and it runs to the destination of Viterra's choice, loads, and returns.
Destinations are most commonly Wudinna and Kimba, with Lock, Rudall and Cummins also frequent destinations. Smaller cuts of hoppers are dropped at a pre-arranged silo en route, and picked up on the return. Shunting at the smaller locations is by rubber-tyred tractor, and the locos shunt the main consist at the day's destination.
Happy hunting!
Destinations are most commonly Wudinna and Kimba, with Lock, Rudall and Cummins also frequent destinations. Smaller cuts of hoppers are dropped at a pre-arranged silo en route, and picked up on the return. Shunting at the smaller locations is by rubber-tyred tractor, and the locos shunt the main consist at the day's destination.
Happy hunting!
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
Another loco swap with Thevenard took place this week, with 1601 and an 830 going to TVD and 1603/859 coming down for routine attention. A new standard process for these swaps has been in use for a couple of months now: crews work simultaneously from Port Lincoln and Thevenard to Minnipa, both take rest time at the pub, then return with the swapped locos. The earlier arrangement needed 3 'overnight' rests for a crew and Port Lincoln was short a loco for nearly 4 days, but the process takes just 36 hours now.
Since the upgrading of the Kevin line earlier this year the number of loco failures due to rough track has dropped significantly.
Since the upgrading of the Kevin line earlier this year the number of loco failures due to rough track has dropped significantly.
vinelander
Junior Train Controller
What is the max speed on the Thevenard - Kevin line now that the upgrade is complete?
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
What is the max speed on the Thevenard - Kevin line now that the upgrade is complete?Not 100% certain, but I believe it is 50 km/h.
freightgate
Minister for Railways
Location: Albury, New South Wales
A small post to say thanks and how much I enjoy reading this thread.
So trains still week through to Ceduna ?
So trains still week through to Ceduna ?
Guard Class 2
Chief Commissioner
Location: Elizabeth,South Australia
Gypsum trains work between Kevin and Thevenard (Near Ceduna), but trains do not work between Wudinna and Thevenard anymore, only occasional loco transfers.
vinelander
Junior Train Controller
50km/hr is a huge increase! Over double the speed for much of the way I believe. Does that mean there can be an extra loading in a 24 hr period or is that putting too much pressure on the locos available?
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
50km/hr is a huge increase! Over double the speed for much of the way I believe. Does that mean there can be an extra loading in a 24 hr period or is that putting too much pressure on the locos available?Still 3 return trips in 24 hours, but the train is now longer and heavier including the ex-Whyalla hoppers so more tonnage carried. Four locos on the train now when possible instead of three, with a fifth being refuelled and serviced at any one time.
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
A minor "oops" in Port Lincoln yard this morning - one bogie of 1204 derailed, right in front of the station building/railway museum.
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
With 1204 in workshops after yesterday's antics, the train is running today with 905-873-1203-1603. This view is of the locos making up the second Cummins run for today, #3AE3, in Port Lincoln yard.
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
1603/859 left Port Lincoln light engine this morning bound for Thevenard. Another routine swap of the gypo locos under way.
60mm rain overnight in Port Lincoln, resulting in a little bit of water in the yard this morning:
60mm rain overnight in Port Lincoln, resulting in a little bit of water in the yard this morning:
NR 35
Station Master
Location: south australia
Anyone know if there are any grain trains today? If so what line?
pjknife
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Port Lincoln
The re-roofing of the heritage-listed Port Lincoln station building is now under way. The road and rail side verandahs are being done first, then the main roof will be tackled. GWA are undertaking the work to prevent rain leaks into the structure and avoid deterioration. The heritage red of the new roof certainly gives the building a real lift.
Gayspie
Deputy Commissioner
Location: Adelaide, SA
Its about time GWA started looking after our state's rail heritage assets. Look how they treated the stations on the mid north and barossa lines!
bingley hall
Minister for Railways
Location: Last train to Skaville
Its about time GWA started looking after our state's rail heritage assets. Look how they treated the stations on the mid north and barossa lines!All owned by DPTI not GWA
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