Re: Indian Pacific Lithgow

[telljb@ozemail.com.au (< Tell >)]

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


Would you care to bet on steel sleepers not being an
instant write off.?

I have seen derailments up in the Top End of the
Territory when the NAR was still running.
Steel sleepers have a habit of bending out of shape
during a derailment.!!

NOTHING is derailment proof, broken axles, seized
roller bearings and slipped tyres will cause
derailments on ANY type of track.

----Terry Burton
Alice Springs NT