When, no idea Glen, I only gleaned this information from track gangers (fettlers?) when they’ve travelled with me.

I was a bit incredulous that they were that long but having paced a few out I’ve come to the conclusion that what I’ve been told must be correct. Maybe the heavier rail dictates a greater length?

William

From:tramsdownunder@... [mailto:tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Vera Mills
Sent: Monday, 3 December 2018 2:41 PM
To:tramsdownunder@...
Subject: Re: [TramsDownUnder] What lies beneath?

Hello William,

When did this change?

That is why I said Victorian Railways.

Regards,

Glen

On Mon, 3 Dec 2018 at 13:10, William Jackson apairofjacks@... mailto:apairofjacks@optusnet.com.au > wrote:

Glen

Normal practice on the railways of Victoria is a minimum length of 6 metres

William

From:tramsdownunder@... mailto:tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com [mailto:tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com mailto:tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com ] On Behalf Of gleng20.mills
Sent: Monday, 3 December 2018 11:43 AM
To: TramsDownUnder tramsdownunder@... mailto:tramsdownunder@googlegroups.com >
Subject: Re: [TramsDownUnder] What lies beneath?

Hello Mal,

Normal practice in the past with Victorian Railways was to use a minimum closure length of ten feet.

The problem with Thermit welds joining non-matching rail sections together is purely with the moulds as it must conform to each rail section.

Regards,

Glen Mills

On Saturday, 1 December 2018 15:02:00 UTC+11, Mal Rowe wrote:

On 01/12/2018 09:07, Dale Budd wrote:

There are many dipped welds in this area but this joint is special. Evidently it is a repair of a previous fault but the job was botched. A metre of replacement rail has been inserted, apparently not properly supported. The extent of the insertion and patched paving is shown in the attached photo from a slightly different angle.

Short patches like that are still current practice. I have seen many of them done recently in Raleigh Rd, Maribyrnong and last year in Dawson St Brunswick.

However, Thermit welds are no longer used - the joints are arc welded with side and base plates (as seen in the attached pic).

The change may be due to problems with Thermit welds in such joints, but is more likely due to the impossibility of doing a Thermit weld with rail cross sections that don't match.

Mal Rowe - noting that these joints are temporary, but that can mean years.