Re: Bethungra Spiral

["Roderick Smith" <rodsmith@werple.net.au>]

The original line was 1880s.
Previous postings have not suggested reducing the southbound track from 1
in 40 to 1 in 66; they have suggested eliminating the spiral and providing
a more-direct northbound track at 1 in 40 instead of 1 in 66: ultimately
faster.
The northbound track (and spiral) was opened in the early 1940s.
AFAIK there was no tunnel on the original single line.

The spiral was one of many circuitous (and curving) deviations created to
suit the characteristics of steam locos.  With diesels, it is possible to
be faster by being straighter and steeper.  This is the design principle of
French TGV routes.

-- 
Regards
Roderick Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

Christopher J. Steele <dck@cea.com.au> wrote in article
<37cd1773@news.netspeed.com.au>...
> 1.  On what date was the original railway at the site of the Bethungra
> spiral open?  Was the original railway in fact just a straight track and
not
> a spiral at all?  Is this now the current 'down' track?
> 2.  Why is it suggested in previous postings that the down track grade
would
> be better off with its grade reduced to 1:66 from 1:40?
> 3.  On what date was the Bethungra spiral (the present 'up' track)
opened?
> 4.  Was the Bethungra spiral part of the duplication of the railway north
of
> Junee?
> 5.  Were the present small tunnels at the site of the Bethungra spiral
all
> the tunnels at the site?  Or was there originally one, single longer
tunnel
> which has been opened up?  It seems strange that all that earth has been
> excavated out between two tunnels so close together.