Re: re-sleepering tunnels

["Lineman" <grime@sympac.NOSPAMcom.au>]

Matthew Geier <matthew@mail.usyd.edu.au> wrote in message
7psm14$f42$1@metro.ucc.usyd.edu.au">news:7psm14$f42$1@metro.ucc.usyd.edu.au...
> In article <0kaw3.227$kW3.7645@nsw.nnrp.telstra.net>,
> Thommo <mjthom@hdc.com.au> wrote:
> >How are sleepers replaced in single track tunnels and single deck
bridges,
> >the only way that I can think of is to replace the whole section at a
> >time???
> >
>  The tunnels are usually just wide enough to pull the sleeper out the side
> stick the new one in. It might not come straight out, but I dont think ive
> seen any narrow enough that you couldnt get the sleeper out at an angle.
>
>  Hard work, but doable.
>
>  The other option would to be unspike a number of sleepers on one side
> and jack up the rail. You often jack up the rails a bit anyway to take
> the weight off the sleeper.
>
>  Bridges usually have enough space around them to poke the sleeper over
the
> side :-)
>  A lot of old timber bridges dont have sleepers anyway, but special
decking
> timbers that are thicker (and part of the bridge structure) than sleepers.


>  I thought they used special sleepers which are shortened by 9 inches at
one end to aid insertion.