Juggling With Rails

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 87, 4 July 1927, Page 1

Juggling With Rails

Progress at New Station Yards

Notable Advance Effected

WITH many a “Yo-heave-ho,” inspiring rhythmic unison gangs of platelayers juggled with lengths of track at the railway yards yesterday, and in a feverish six hours were effected radical changes in the lay-out of the depot. Last night for the first time the new floodlighting system shed its radiance over the extensive yards. Altogether, it was a big day for the construction engineers.

MOUNTED on the slender 90-foot trestle tower, four searchlights throw the depot at the Campbell’s point end into stark prominence. When switched on last evening they illuminated the new engine-shed approaches, in use for the first time. During the day tracks had been linked together to form a direct engine-way from the station to the Campbell's Point end of the sheds, and crossovers were Installed to permit the use of the old approaches, at the western end, for a marshalling of general traffic. GIANT TURNTABLE The changes thus wrought bring into use interesting devices and innovations introduced under the general plsn. New automatic sanding gantries will feed prepared grit to the sand-domes of the locomotives; the finishing touches are being applied to a huge water-tank, also to be commissioned; and giant engines will swing on the latest in turntables, a 75ft. creation of such delicate adjustment that a child could move It. The successful execution of yesterday’s undertaking means a lot to the progress of the scheme. All platelaying has been completed at the Campbell’s Point end of the yard, and the old inwards goods sheds will be transferred to the harbour side of the depot as soon as the new goods shed on King’s Drive is completed. With the old Beach Road sheds out of the way, the space on which the stations and its flanking buildings are to rise will be clear, ready for action. PONDEROUS STEEL At 701 b. to the yard, a 42ft. length of railway Iron Is not a commodity to be lightly tossed about. But yesterday not only single rails, but also lengths of complete track, sleepers and all. were manhandled. Jacks helped with some of the big lifts, but more often it was a case of “Heave- together!” or "Come on, now!” and the compulsion was applied by straining backs and a score of crow bars.. In all this was a touch of the picturesque. Concerted action was stimulated by a brass-throated leader,

whose exhortations held a nautical ring, and when a length of rail was used, battering-ram fashion, to tighten the joints of the new track, the stooping men worked with the precision of a rowing crew. PAID DOUBLE TIME During the strenuous day—overtime at double rates was the redeeming compensation—ls chains of old track and two sets of points and crossings were removed, two diagonal crossings and 12 chains of new track were laid, and a 12-ton set of points and crossings were shifted to a new position 45 feet away. Supervising operations were Mr. G. McLeod, inspector of permanent way, and Mr. J. Dow, engineerin charge of the new works at the yards. Until the resumption of the goods shed contract, at present delayed by overdue steel, work in the yards will be largely of an unobtrusive character. The main station building will not he started this year. Plans and specifications are not yet completed, and the calling of tenders is still three months away.