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Track Gauge Conversion
Track gauge conversion is the changing of one railway track gauge (the distance between the running rails) to another. In general, requirements depend on whether the conversion is from a wider gauge to a narrower gauge or vice versa, on how the rail vehicles can be modified to accommodate a track gauge conversion, and on whether the gauge conversion is manual or automated. Sleepers If tracks are converted to a narrower gauge, the existing timber sleepers (ties) may be used. However, replacement is required if the conversion is to a significantly wider gauge. Some sleepers may be long enough to accommodate the fittings of both existing and alternative gauges. Wooden sleepers are suitable for conversion because they can be drilled for the repositioned rail spikes. Concrete sleepers are unsuitable for conversion. Concrete sleepers may be cast with alternative gauge fittings in place, an example being those used during the conversion of the Melbourne–Adelaide railway from to . ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Track Gauge
In rail transport, track gauge is the distance between the two rails of a railway track. All vehicles on a rail network must have Wheelset (rail transport), wheelsets that are compatible with the track gauge. Since many different track gauges exist worldwide, gauge differences often present a barrier to wider operation on railway networks. The term derives from the metal bar, or gauge, that is used to ensure the distance between the rails is correct. Railways also deploy two other gauges to ensure compliance with a required standard. A ''loading gauge'' is a two-dimensional profile that encompasses a cross-section of the track, a rail vehicle and a maximum-sized load: all rail vehicles and their loads must be contained in the corresponding envelope. A ''structure gauge'' specifies the outline into which structures (bridges, platforms, lineside equipment etc.) must not encroach. Uses of the term The most common use of the term "track gauge" refers to the transverse distance be ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
South Australian Railways Locomotives Rx201 And 607 At Tailem Bend Locomotive Depot, 1952 (LEBates)
South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both west and east. Etymology The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*sunþaz'' ("south"), possibly related to the same Proto-Indo-European root that the word ''sun'' derived from. Some languages describe south in the same way, from the fact that it is the direction of the sun at noon (in the Northern Hemisphere), like Latin meridies 'noon, south' (from medius 'middle' + dies 'day', ), while others describe south as the right-hand side of the rising sun, like Biblical Hebrew תֵּימָן teiman 'south' from יָמִין yamin 'right', Aramaic תַּימנַא taymna from יָמִין yamin 'right' and Syriac ܬܰܝܡܢܳܐ taymna from ܝܰܡܝܺܢܳܐ yamina (hence the name of Yemen, the land to the south/right of the Levant). South is sometimes abbreviated as S. Navigation By convention, the ''bottom or down-f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
WAGR V Class
The WAGR V class was the last class of steam locomotive to enter service with the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR). The class was part of the post war regeneration plan for the WAGR, intended for the heavy coal traffic between the Collie coal fields and Perth. Engineering background Twenty-four locomotives were ordered in 1951 from Beyer, Peacock and Company, Manchester. Capacity issues saw construction of the locomotives subcontracted to Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn's Darlington works although still issued with Beyer Peacock builders numbers. The locomotives entered service between April 1955 and November 1956.V Class Steam Locomotive Rail Heritage WA The locomotive was of a modern design with a high superheat, a large |
Victorian Railways R Class
The R class is an express passenger steam locomotive that ran on Australia's Victorian Railways (VR) from 1951 to 1974. A much-needed replacement for the 1907-era Victorian Railways A2 class, A2 class 4-6-0, their development and construction was repeatedly delayed due to financial constraints caused by the Great Depression and later the manpower and materials shortages of World War II and the immediate postwar period. Orders eventually totalling 70 locomotives were placed with the North British Locomotive Company of Glasgow. Once initial teething problems were overcome, R class locomotives proved to be a success and their power and speed enabled faster timetabled services. However, they were almost immediately superseded by mainline diesel-electric locomotive, diesel-electric and electric locomotives on the Victorian Railways from 1952 onwards. With successive orders of diesel-electric locomotives through the 1950s and 1960s gradually displacing them, all but seven of the class ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Victorian Railways N Class
The N class is a branch line steam locomotive that ran on the Victorian Railways (VR) from 1925 to 1966. A development of the successful Victorian Railways K class, K class 2-8-0, it was the first VR locomotive class designed for possible Track gauge conversion, conversion from to . History In 1923, in response to the recommendations made by the 1921 List of Australian Royal Commissions, Royal Commission on the matter of uniform railway gauge, the VR announced a policy that all new locomotive designs were to be capable of gauge conversion, conversion from broad to standard gauge.Pearce et al., p. 12 The rationale was that the task of converting VR from broad to standard gauge at a future date would be far easier if existing locomotives and rolling stock could be easily modified for standard gauge operation, rather than requiring expensive re-engineering or replacement. The Victorian Railways K class, K class 2-8-0, built by the VR in 1922-23, was a success, but it was enginee ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Victorian Railways J Class (1954)
The Victorian Railways J class is a branch line steam locomotive operated by the Victorian Railways (VR) between 1954 and 1972. A development of the successful Victorian Railways K class 2-8-0, it was the last new class of steam locomotive introduced on the VR. Introduced almost concurrently with the diesel-electric locomotives that ultimately superseded them, the locomotives were only in service for a relatively short time. History During the early 1950s, the Victorian Railways (VR) embarked on a massive upgrading of its ageing locomotive fleet as part of Operation Phoenix (railway), Operation Phoenix, an Australian pound, £80 million program to rebuild a network badly run down by years of underinvestment during the Great Depression, and the heavy workload imposed by World War II. Victoria's branch line railway network, laid with Rail tracks#Rail sizes, rail and featuring Grade (slope), gradients of up to 1 in 30 (3.33%), was still largely served by the D1, D2 and D3 varian ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Victorian Railways
The Victorian Railways (VR), trading from 1974 as VicRail, was the state-owned operator of most rail transport in the Australian state of Victoria from 1859 to 1983. The first railways in Victoria were private companies, but when these companies failed or defaulted, the Victorian Railways was established to take over their operations. Most of the lines operated by the Victorian Railways were of . However, the railways also operated up to five Narrow gauge lines of the Victorian Railways, narrow gauge lines between 1898 and 1962, and a line between Albury railway station, Albury and Melbourne from 1961. History Formation A Department of Railways (1858–71), Department of Railways was created in 1856 with the first appointment of staff. British engineer, George Christian Darbyshire was made first Engineer-in-Chief in 1857, and steered all railway construction work until his replacement by Thomas Higinbotham in 1860. In late 1876, New York consulting engineer Walton Evans arran ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
William Alfred Webb
William Alfred Webb (1878–1936) was an American railroad executive who had wide experience with US railroads, including the management of nationwide railroad operations during World War I, before serving as Commissioner of the South Australian Railways from 1922 to 1930. In that role, he undertook a significant rehabilitation program, transforming the inefficient and technologically backward state railway system into one with a pre-eminent position among Australian railways. After returning to the US, he achieved elected office in Dallas before leading the preparations for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. He died in office two months after the exposition opened. Early career At the age of 12, Webb began as a messenger boy on the Colorado Midland Railway. He rose from traffic clerk to telegraphist, studied shorthand at night school, and became stenographer to the general manager. Appointed secretary to the president of the Colorado and Southern Railway in 1900, Webb was a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
South Australian Railways
South Australian Railways (SAR) was the organisation through which the Government of South Australia built and operated railways in South Australia from 1854 until March 1978, when its non-urban railways were incorporated into Australian National Railways Commission, Australian National, and its Railways in Adelaide, Adelaide urban lines were transferred to the State Transport Authority (South Australia), State Transport Authority. The SAR's tracks were built to three rail gauges: broad gauge; narrow gauge; and from the 1980s, when gauge standardisation at last commenced, standard gauge. History Colonial period The first railway in South Australia was laid in 1854 between Goolwa, South Australia, Goolwa and Port Elliot, South Australia, Port Elliot to allow for goods to be transferred between paddle steamers on the Murray River and seagoing vessels. The Goolwa railway station, Goolwa station was built on the Wharf precinct, alongside the River Murray. The next railway ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
South Australian Railways 700 Class (steam)
The South Australian Railways 700 class was a class of 2-8-2 steam locomotives operated by the South Australian Railways. History Delivery As part of William Webb's rehabilitation of the South Australian Railways, ten 2-8-2 steam locomotives were delivered by Armstrong Whitworth, Newcastle upon Tyne in 1926. They were designed to be able to operate across broad gauge branch lines laid with 60lbs rail. The first locomotive, 700 arrived at Port Adelaide via ship in March 1926. 700 operated for the first time in April 1926 on a trial run north of Adelaide. It was involved in a minor collision when it rear-ended a freight train in May 1926 between Upper Sturt and Mount Lofty. In June 1926, it entered regular service between Adelaide and Murray Bridge, and the 9 remaining 700s were delivered that same month. The 700s were more common on freight trains but they also hauled passenger trains. In 1927, 706 had its original trailing bogie replaced with a cast 'Delta' bogie, and it ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
South Australian Railways 600 Class (steam)
The South Australian Railways 600 class was a class of 4-6-2 steam locomotives operated by the South Australian Railways. History The 600 class were part of an order for 30 steam locomotivesThe other classes of locomotives were the 500 class and 700 class. placed with Armstrong Whitworth, England, in 1924, as part of the rehabilitation of the state's rail system overseen by railways commissioner William Webb. The 600 class design was based on the USRA Light Pacific, although modifications were made by SAR's Chief Mechanical Engineer, Fred Shea, including those necessary to fit South Australia's tighter loading gauge, which was lower than that of the United States. They arrived in Adelaide in 1926. 609 was named ''Duke of Gloucester'' after hauling the Duke's Royal Train in 1934 and so became Australia's first "royal" engine. The entire class received upgraded boilers and front ends from the late 1930s onwards, and was reclassified as the 600C class. They were also fitted ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
South Australian Railways 500 Class (steam)
The South Australian Railways 500 class was a class of 4-8-2 steam locomotives operated by the South Australian Railways. The locomotives were rebuilt in 1928, when booster engines were installed, becoming the 500B class with a wheel arrangement of 4-8-4 and a tractive effort of . The 500B class were the second-most-powerful non-articulated steam locomotives to operate in Australia, behind the NSWGR D57 4-8-2. History The 500 class were part of larger order for 30 steam locomotives placed with Armstrong Whitworth, England, in 1924, as part of the rehabilitation of the state's rail system being overseen by Railways Commissioner William Webb. They replaced the Rx and S class locomotives, many dating back to 1894, that were still performing mainline duties, meaning that double and even triple heading was common. All ten 500-class locomotives arrived in Adelaide in 1926, and entered service on the Adelaide to Wolseley line as far as Tailem Bend. All were named after notable So ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
