Yes, I can confirm what Richard and Mick wrote - having been there at the event and the later discussion with the supervising civil engineer who signed off under duress.
He could not check one section of track because there was a truck parked on top of it.

Here's the scene of the first test tram on 21 Nov 2005.
http://tdu.to/2014_Flinders&Market_21Nov2005.jpg
.... and here's the re-gauged track the next day.
http://tdu.to/2017_FlindersSt_22Nov2005.jpg

One TDU correspondent at the time suggested it was 4.5cm out of gauge, which seems a bit extreme to me.

This sort of gross error is less likely to happen now that tracks are laid on pre-cast concrete and mesh sleepers.
The incident dates from the end of the era of threaded rod tiebars to set gauge.

Mal Rowe - agreeing with Mick that "They are now better at it".

On 18/09/2017 8:17 PM, Richard Youltressteleg@... [TramsDownUnder] wrote:
>

> That certainly did happen..

>

> A couple of years ago at a major trackwork site a gent involved in that incident told how it came about.

>

> The track crew wanted to give the job a final gauge check but there were politicians or tramways bosses, or both, who wanted to get some publicity out of this job.

>

> So they insisted that there was no time to fiddle around with tests and demanded that the first tram be run over the new work.

>

> You already have quoted the result.

>

> I believe that Mal Rowe was with me at the time and he may be able to correct me or add more details.

>

>

>

> On 18 Sep 2017, at 7:39 pm, Mick Duncankitbuny@... mailto:kitbuny@bigpond.net.au [TramsDownUnder] TramsDownUnder@... mailto:TramsDownUnder@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

>

>> AFAIK, some track in Flinders St,near Market St was concreted

>> but was under gauge, apparently the track gauge was put across the checks

>>

>> 1st tram over it derailed and possibly the one behind.

>>

>> Brand new track had to be dug up and relaid

>>

>> They are now better at it

>>