Re: SLR - Extension construction

[craigd@lios.apana.org.au (C. Dewick)]

matthew@mail.usyd.edu.au (Matthew Geier) writes:

> The Darling Harbour goods line is almost flat, I assume some drivers in this
>list might remember the grades from when they had to work trains on the line,
>but to my untrained eye it might as well be flat.

It's definitely not flat. One of the tunnels (not sure which one, but I
remember that it's nearly straight except for a curve at one end) is a but
like Scarborough tunnel on the Illawarra line in that it has a very sharp
grade all the way through the tunnel. The difference is that it was a
double-track tunnel built to the old eliptical profile standard, not
Bradfield's 'City Railway' standard (as all the tunnels on the good line
were, even the four-track Jones St tunnel).

I guess that overall the right-of-way is essential flat if the grades, etc.
are averaged out over the Balmain Road box to Ultimo St box (deceased)
section. The lowest point was the yards at Union St box (where Gillespie's
flour mill was and the Star Shitty Casino now is) and Darling Island which
was just a few metres above sea level since they fed all the wharves at
those location, plus a bunch of industries.

Regards,

Craig.
--
            Craig Ian Dewick            |       Stand clear - jaws closing
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