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Thread ID: 87307	2008-02-16 05:55:00	Newmarket Train Station	Roscoe (6288)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
640911	2008-02-16 05:55:00	There have been many changes in the Newmarket Train Station along with the well overdue upgrade for Auckland's Suburban Network. One of those changes is a new link between the beginning of the western line and the line to and from Britomart. I believe it is the sharpest curve on the network, hence the check rails. It has been laid in concrete which in itself is unusual - the line is usually just laid on ballast - and water is being sprayed continually on the line. The reason may be for cooling? But I would not have thought the rails would get that hot? Not in Auckland weather, anyway. Friction of wheels on the rails? If so why not use grease? Grease is used on other parts of the network in similar - and other - situations. Would water be used for lubrication? Have a look at the scene. The pic is taken from the Broadway overbridge looking east. To Britomart to the left, the existing station and south to the left. You may be able to see the water on the concrete. www.imagef1.net.nz Perhaps there is someone out there who has worked on the project?	Roscoe (6288)
640912	2008-02-16 08:54:00	I wonder if it will be like Greenlane. Behind schedule and WAYYYYY overbudget.	bob_doe_nz (92)
640913	2008-02-16 10:20:00	First of all, the train tracks in Auckland get VERY hot and there are many delays because the tracks buckle and get warped so cooling is very important.	beeswax34 (63)
640914	2008-02-16 19:00:00	Maybe water on the concrete while it was setting to stop it setting too fast is feasible but water in the rails for lubrication or heat does not ring true. Water as a lubricant does not sound right and grease would build up with dust and rubbish. Water as a coolant does not seem right either as many countries have rails in much hotter conditions than NZ. i.e. Australia. A commuter train is not going to generate much friction heat on the rails compared to a long freight train. Give the railways a call and ask maybe.	Bantu (52)
640915	2008-02-16 19:04:00	Might be just a temp measure until the building is finished.	rob_on_guitar (4196)
640916	2008-02-17 19:45:00	After being in Melbourne for 3 weeks and riding their trains and trams, boy do we have a 3rd world transport system here in Auckland.. A thousand curses of king Tut on those Aucklander who in the 1960s got rid of the tram service. Look at melbourne and see what we could have had..	paulw (1826)
640917	2008-02-17 21:26:00	After being in Melbourne for 3 weeks and riding their trains and trams, boy do we have a 3rd world transport system here in Auckland.. A thousand curses of king Tut on those Aucklander who in the 1960s got rid of the tram service. Look at melbourne and see what we could have had.. Very true, Paul. It was interesting how it was achieved. I was told, by a smithy that used to work on the trams that the council, for some reason, wanted to get rid of the trams and bring in buses. The trams had always been built with the best wood, brass screws etc and were very sturdy. Don't have an accident with an Auckland tram! But then someone decided that buses were better and trams should go. Each time a bus had an accident or needed repairs the repairs were charged to the tram account. After a while of this the trams were becoming very expensive to run but the bus account looked much better. Electric traction is much more reliable (I'm told) and much more powerful. The smithy also told me of a tram that broke down near the top of the Queen St hill. Proudly, the works department brought up their brand new diesel breakdown truck. When everyone had disembarked they attempted to push it up the hill to no avail. Shortly another tram came up behind. The driver told everyone to get on board and with a full tram himself, pushed the other full tram up the hill. Very true about the Melbourne trams and trains. I doubt if we will ever see trams again but what is wrong with light rail? Surely that could run through the city, onto the rail network and run to Papakura, etc? Other cities do. The Auckland network is to be electrified and I understand that the rolling stock may already have been ordered. It's about 60 years late, but the present amount of updating has led to increased rail usage, so better late than never. Next thing they need to do is run light rail over the bridge. Keep an eye on the Onehunga line as well. All the rails have been lifted (there were some very rotten sleepers) and the new rails are awaiting concrete sleepers. Better late than never, eh?:thumbs:	Roscoe (6288)
640918	2008-02-17 22:28:00	If the concrete has been laid recently then it needs to be watered in order to cure properly. Concrete is thirsty, and it gets really hot. Otherwise it doesn't harden properly. Public transport in general really sucks in NZ. I've found that if I walk to work in the mornings then I actually get there before the bus does, traffic is that bad. Not that I do. Too sleepy most days to even contemplate it.	Thebananamonkey (7741)
640919	2008-02-17 23:25:00	If the concrete has been laid recently then it needs to be watered in order to cure properly. Concrete is thirsty, and it gets really hot. Otherwise it doesn't harden properly. Don't know the exact date they poured it, but it was end of December, beginning January. You think they would still need to be cooling it? Glad someone else knows - I don't. Saw a documentary recently about the construction of the Hoover Dam. Apparently, because of the large volume of concrete, they built in cooling pipes. Never thought that would be that much of a problem. Certainly was not when I poured my new paths. But then, the two don't really compare, eh?:D	Roscoe (6288)
640920	2008-03-13 01:58:00	For those of you who might be vaguely interested, I have only just managed to find someone who knows why the water is being sprinkled on the rails. The thought was that maybe it was to keep the rails cool - yes it does warm up a wee bit in Auckland!:) The reason is one that I never would have imagined. As there are many houses nearby and the noise of the wheel flanges on that curve is very loud they use water to reduce the noise. Apparently they have measured the noise levels with and without and the water reduces the noise by 10dB. Quite surprising. I would have thought that they might have used grease. Apparently grease is more expensive. Although they have automatic grease dispensers on some parts of the network they usually only cover a very small length or rail so a few hundred would be required. Not very practical. :thanks Thanks for all your suggestions.	Roscoe (6288)
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