In the past few weeks we have further extended our mainline track eastwards, finally reaching the pedestrian crossing opposite Maymorn Tranz Metro station. Despite some fairly awful weather we made reasonable progress. The 50kg rail required cutting, drilling and straightening, and the TPR sleepers needed adzing true and reboring. A large pile of ballast near the crossing was both a blessing and a curse - in that we had ample ballast available, but a good amount had to be cleared out to permit sleepers to be laid.
The last few metres towards the crossing has the full ballast depth, and needs to be tamped before it can be used.
Cutting and drilling rail near the crossing on 29 June. Photo:Glenn Fitzgerald.
View through the crossing gates at the advancing head of steel. Photo:Glenn Fitzgerald.
Another view of work in progress, fastening rail down to sleepers and ballasting. Photo:Glenn Fitzgerald.
On 6 July rail was installed into the crossing, with temporary short rails swapped out. Photo:Glenn Fitzgerald.
Colin celebrates our milestone! Photo: Hugh McCracken
View of the completed track on 7 July. Photo:Glenn Fitzgerald.
The head of steel pushing out past the pedestrian crossing. Further extension work is planned shortly...