Head of steel

Extending mainline at Maymorn

Track is being built at Maymorn station, including our future mainline and loop tracks, along with points and yard track leading into the rail vehicle shed.

We've made a start on building our future mainline track at Maymorn. Track has reached the 150-metre mark and plans are afoot to extend it to the Kaitoke end of our Maymorn site.

Recent posts

50kg/m mainline track at Maymorn

Mainline build

During September we have connected the double slip at Maymorn to our existing mainline track. 91LB rail for the first trackset was drifted down to the turnout structure, sleepers respaced and fastened down.

Rather than drifting the remaining rails we are taking the opportunity to swap in six lengths of 50kg/m rail, so that the mainline is a consistent rail weight. The 91LB rail is also needed to build another turnout and to complete the inspection pits inside the rail vehicle shed.

Colin, Peter and John drilling heel bolt holes in outer slip rail

More double slip work

On Saturday 18 August we put a little more work into the doubleslip that we're rebuilding from a kit of parts. In the above, Colin, Peter and John were drilling holes for a checkrail at the Kaitoke end of the slip, the checkrail and running rail having originated from a turnout purchased from KiwiRail at Taita.

The outer slip rail on the KiwiRail side needed further attention to ensure a good fit to the switch. There was some residual curvature that needed to be crowed out - a 40 minute job...

Steve and John work on frog components for double slip

Double slip - April 2012

Our double slip is nearing completion, a key structure connecting the mainline and loop with the rail vehicle shed and future storage sidings. Over summer 11/12 we have reworked both slip frogs, installed sleepers and crossing plates. Closer rails have been selected, straightened, cut and drilled to couple the shortened slip frogs to the standard frogs each end of the structure. Quite an involved task, but we're making steady progress.

Work remaining to be done includes:

Lionel, Colin and Steve work on road 1 turnout

Switch lever installed on road 1 turnout

Work has continued on our road one turnout, giving access to both roads of the rail vehicle shed. All riser plates have been installed, both blades and Wynn Williams spring switch fitted and made operational.

Next up is the road two turnout, which is located between the completed points and the double slip. A small amount of excavation is required to prepare the formation and drainage. We have most of the components needed for the turnout, which will be laid out as soon as the excavation is done.

A set of points in the shed yard at Maymorn is taking shape, leading into the rail vehicle shed. The 91lb turnout is being built up from plain rail and refurbished components.

Points in Maymorn yard

Work completed today includes drilling heel block holes in the straight stock rail, crowing of curved closer and resetting of check and straightening the turnout road running road. The locomotive boilers in the distance are off 1898-vintage Baldwin steam locomotives Wb 292 and Wb 299, awaiting attention once the rail vehicle shed is completed.

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