26 November 2011 –

The north west curve has now been backfilled, using fill excavated from the south west curve, and only awaits the upgrade to the overhead before it can be used for traffic.

All rails and sleepers were removed from the south west curve, and the track base excavated to level it.  As the new curve will have a full length 80lb checkrail, the use of the steel sleepers would have been awkward, so new permapine sleepers have been purchased for the curve.

Initially the straights on the mainline and along the western fenceline have been reinstated, and the curve is now being formed, working from the mainline back to the western straight.  All joints are being fully welded as was done on the north west curve, and new tierods are being manufactured to provide additional gauge control on the curve.

Where needed, some rails have been cropped to remove crippled joints and others have been cut to required lengths with assistance from Alastair Reither using the Ballarat Tramway Museum’s rail saw – our thanks for their loan of this piece of equipment.

The ‘average’ wet winter has slowed work considerably though, with two full days lost due to rain… though 849 progressed further than expected as a result!

A few more good workdays should see the curve completed, following which both curves will have their overhead networks replaced to lift the contact wire to the correct height and alignment.

In addition to the work on the curves, a start has been made on lifting the curve into the former Lower Terminus.  A new single track terminus is to be constructed in a straight alignment with the mainline, and will be fitted with the safety zone plow and fencing to create a 1960-70’s ‘Melbourne’ stop effect. 

Further images of the work on track can be seen by clicking here.

23 April 2011 –

Two full workdays on the curve on 25 and 26 March saw the remaining holes drilled for the tierods, the tierods all installed, and the outer rail spiked home.

On the morning of Sunday 27 March, W2 407 was used to test the curve, gliding around perfectly with no faults noted.

Backfilling of the curve will now take place using the fill that needs to be excavated to allow work to be undertaken on the south western curve.

1 January 2011 –

Further progress on the curve was made on the AGM weekend in September 2010 and during another work party in late October 2010.

All rails and check rails have now been welded, all bolt holes have been drilled in the inner rail and check rail, and the two bolted together, and drilling for and standing of the dogspikes for the inner rail and check rail has been completed.

Remaining work to complete the curve includes driving all of the spikes on the inner rail, drilling the outer rail for the tierods that are to be installed, and spiking the outer rail once the tierods are in.

Further images of the work on track can be seen by clicking here.

3 June 2010 –

Work has commenced on welding the track joints on the north west curve.

Prior to being able to commence, all of the steel plates that will be welded in place had to be cut to size and prepared for installation.  All of the bolts and other fixings have also been purchased and are now on site for use as needed.

Further work parties are planned for mid July and late September to progress the curve further to completion.

Further images of the work on track can be seen by clicking here.

25 February 2010 –

Work is now well advanced on reconstructing the north west curve of the Mainline, behind the Carbarn.

The Association is grateful to Yarra Trams (MetroLink Melbourne Pty Ltd) who, prior to concluding their contract in Melbourne, rolled all of the rail and checkrail for this curve to the correct radius.  The MTPA thanks Yarra Trams, Dennis Cliche, Massoud Majidi, Gary Tillotson and the Yarra Trams Track Team for their assistance with this project.

With the rail rolled to the correct radius, the rails have been trimmed as necessary ready for welding, and the inside rail and check rail has been drilled in preparation for bolting them together.

In the meantime, the south west curve has also been lifted to allow it to be aligned accurately with the north west curve when it is relaid, and to allow an improved checkrail to be installed on the curve.