Re: Indian Pacific Lithgow

[matthew@mail.usyd.edu.au (Matthew Geier)]

In article <36c1c81b.5294668@news.datacomm.ch>,
Michael Roebuck <Mike.Roebuck@.datacomm.ch> wrote:
>On Sun, 7 Feb 1999 00:35:09 +1100, "Michael Walker"
><walker@hotkey.net.au> wrote:
>
>>>well, you get used to it after a while!! The way things are going, it
>>>wouldn't suprise me if they started making plastic rails and sleepers!!!
>>>(but I hope not!)
>>>
>>Don't laugh, I haven't heard of plastic rails but I did read (not sure
>>whether train mag or newspaper) a while ago of trials by (I think) a
>>Melbourne based company in recycling plastic to make sleepers. I don't know

>so what about concrete sleepers? Are there any pressing reasons for
>not using them?
>

 Concrete sleepers, while great for holding CWR in place and lasting
a long time are not derailment proof. They crack and then are useless.
 Country NSW is now being fitted with steel sleepers, which last almost
as long, but are not instant writeoffs if a derailed train runs over them.