Phase 3 - The Tunnel and Bridge
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Phase 3 |
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 After much waiting, the pipe for the tunnel finally arrives!!! |
 The pipe is unloaded by L & J Shadbolt Earthmoving with their 20 ton excavator. |
 22 metres of tunnel pipe lined up ready to be sectioned. Work on the tunnel will commence as soon as the top loop is completed. |
 A template was cut from sheet metal and wrapped around the pipe where the tapered section is to be removed, then cut with a 9" angle grinder. |
 The first tapered section is removed and lies on the ground in front of the pipe. A chain block is run along the length of the pipe ready to close the gap. |
 The gap before being winched closed with the chain block. About 250mm was left attached in the back to hold the sections in position relative to each other. |
 The chain block makes short work of the sectioned pipe and the first bend takes shape! |
 The pipe is welded back together after being bent into shape. |
 5 hours on the angle grinder and around 30 metres of cutting and the first section of the tunnel pipe is cut, bent and welded into shape. |
 The cutting for the tunnel begins to take shape. |
 The first of the tunnel pipes is positioned in the cutting. |
 Looking back towards the workshop with the first tunnel pipe in place. The top loop formation and bridge abutments can be seen in the background just above the tractor. |
 The second pipe is positioned on the ground to mark out where the cutting needs to be. Pictured sitting in the pipe is Leigh Shadbolt, responsible for the entire Boulder Creek Tramway formation and earthworks. |
 The cutting is complete and the second pipe is in position. |
 After welding the two sections, it was sprayed with a bituminous based product as a protective layer to help prevent corrosion. |
 As the tunnel is being filled in it takes its first substantial load - a 20 ton excavator! |
 The filling in of the tunnel is almost complete. |
 As luck would have it, not more than 3m past the tunnel
opening, we struck a huge boulder that required a rock breaker. |
 The first section of track into the tunnel being welded together. |
 Track work continues through track the tunnel. |
 The first train exits the tunnel with a carriage load of track workers! |
 A drivers view looking out of the tunnel through the passing loop up towards the workshop. |
 Finally, work on building the bridge commences - June 2010. |
 Cutting the foundation pads into the rock bridge abutments with a 9" angle grinder is dusty work! |
 The first of the bridge girders is lifted into place. |
 Both bridge girders positioned and clamped in place. |
 The bridge structure is all but complete and the track panels are positioned across the bridge ready for welding. |
 The last panel is clamped up for welding. This completes the top loop! |
 The new bridge is completed and has the first train over it. |
 Another view of the new bridge. Just needs a coat of paint now. |
 The new bridge and the finally completed top reversing loop. |
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Phase 3 |
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