On 02/05/2021 01:13, Anthony Dudley Horscroft wrote:
>

> Query: the photo shows a gauge rod.  This appears to be threaded for a  substantial part of its length.  Is it really screwed into position, and is it finally welded or secured by a nut on the outside of the rail?

>

Hi Dudley,

The pic you refer to is at: https://tdu.to/i/77957

Well spotted.  For the old system of track laying - in mass concrete - threaded rod was used to set the track to gauge - I presume with nuts both sides, but finally held in place by the concrete.

The location of the pic in question was at the corner of Swanston St and Bourke St and it was a bit of a messy job!  I attach another pic.

Both Swanston and Bourke used RI57A low profile rail, but for some reason the H crossing was in full height rail.  That could be for strength or they may have already 'had one in stock'.

You can see the transition between rail types in several places towards the right of the picture.

Bourke St was in old style mass concrete while Swanston St was in the new 'concrete to sleeper height' style.

Threaded rods are visible between the rails at centre right - going into the Bourke St Mall and they are a reversion to the old practice for that sort of track construction.

Mal Rowe - still staring at track