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Early days at the Petone track
Photo of the raised track from many years ago before
a huge storm devastated the Petone foreshore. This
caused the local council upgrade the sea defences and
and now the harbour cannot be seen in the distance, as
it can here.
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The state of the raised
track
Although this isn't a recent picture the state of the
track can be seen. Apart from one section, it had
never been galvanized and being so close to the coast
rust was always a problem.
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Thursday 6 October - Locks are changed
to give the contractors control of access to the site. |
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Contractors equipment arrives on
site
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Old line demolished and removed from
site
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Diggers trench new rail line
route
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Sand base compacted
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Base course delivered
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Base course spread ready for rolling
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Datum pins and levels set.
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Base course filled and rolled to final height
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Base course complete
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The 'secret weapon'
A roadside kerbing machine with
template for the raised track plinth manufactured by
one of the project team members
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| Making a start and sorting out teething
problems |
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Tidying up
Following the kerbing machine and applying the
finishing touches while the concrete is still workable
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Along the back straight
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The new curve approaching the station
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Nearing the the end.
The blade cutter in the foreground is used to cut
'stress relievers at intervals along the casting
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Just about done |
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All complete with the new access way
just laid
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Mock up of the track construction on
display at the Waitangi Day open day |
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Cutting batches of the 800 sleepers
required for the job
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Roy and Ross drilling the rail ends for
the fishplates |
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The track drilling jig
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17 March 2012
Track construction starts!! Ross inspecting Dave's
first batch of welds prior to setting out the next
set of sleepers.
(note the temporary screening. Behind the fence in
the background is a public walkway, anybody on the
path cannot see the welding flare from close up)
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Dave welding while Ross watches on.
In Ross's hand is the weld plan, designed to reduce
any possible distortion while the welds cool
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Nearing the end of the first 6 Metre
section of the track. Only another 29 to go |
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14 April 2012
The first sections back from being
galvanized. Ross "persuading" the hold down anchor
into its locating hole. Phil in the background
joining the section fishplates.
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Close up of section joint |
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09 June 2012
The last curve before the station
straight
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9 June 2012
Preparing for the swing arm installation
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1 November 2012
Swing arm in place and feeder tracks
nearing completion.
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11 December 2012
The unofficial opening as Diana makes
her way down to the swing arm for the first run on
the completed track
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Moving the swing arm into
position
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David
Grant-Taylor supervising the
departure for the first circuit
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Plenty of steam before completing
the circuit
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David T, who did the bulk
of the welding has his drive around. |
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David G-T was talked
into a circuit or two as well
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David
and Peter Anderson ride behind Ross. |
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"Diana", "Maggie" and "Elva"
preparing for a day at the track
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"Maggie" has her first day out |
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The new track earning its
keep with fare paying passengers
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First run for "Belton Manor" |
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Dave directing operations Owain
Glyndwr and Maggie
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The 7/25"guage supporting cast |
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Claude introducing the mayor Ray
Wallace
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The official opening by the Mayor |
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Ray Wallace cut the ribbon with our
observing members spread out around the station
area, Claude looking particularly
pleased.
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The Mayor and Shelley
took a ceremonial first lap behind Diana
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Ross with Diana, took the previous
owner, Trevor Watt, and the builder, Bob Walters,
for a circuit behind ‘their’ loco.! ! !
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Maggie and Dolgoch
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Peter’s 7½?G
“Owain Glyndwr” running so well, on our track for
the first time
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The
Hutt City Council Mayor, Ray Wallace, rather
enjoying driving Ec8
for a
couple of circuits after performing the opening
ceremony of our rebuilt raised track at Beach,
Petone. Dolgoch follows, but will have
to wait for the time delay on the points
control before continuing.
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The money paper weight previously
used in the ticket office. It will lead a different
life now, in the Mayoral Office.
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Claude relaxing at the end of the
day with a run behind Emma with Chris
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