| On the BBR,
we have what is considered to be some of the best 2ft gauge main line
track in Australia. As with many areas of the railway, the track has
evolved through the years to its current condition.
The track was initially laid using
timber sleepers obtained second hand from Northern WA iron ore
railways & the rails were fixed to the sleeper using dog spikes.
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Typical original BBR track section with all timber sleepers |
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The Wooden Sleeper in W.A. can be cut from Jarrah, Karri, Wandoo,
Marri and also Pine.
Those used on the BBR are similar to a mainline sleeper excepting that
the length is approx 5ft to suit the Narrow Gauge. The photo on right shows typical
installation in the track.
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Wooden Sleeper installed
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A standard "Dog" spike used extensively on most
railways until more recent times.
This style of spike is simply driven or hammered into a round hole till
contact is made with the foot of the rail securing it to the sleeper.
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Dog Spikes installed in sleeper |
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Purchase of screw spikes by BBR saw the
demise of the insertion of dog spikes. In more recent times, Ajax spikes were introduced due
to a lack of availability of the older style of screw spike.
The track was later upgraded to
sleeper plates with screw spikes. |
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A Standard Screw Spike similar to those used round the world
with a Buttress thread. Driven into a predrilled hole with a hand tool or power equipment. |
Spikes installed in sleeper |
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The Ajax Screw Spike is a modern design of the early screw
spike with a different thread and driving head. It provided superior fastening capabilities and resists bending. Driven into a predrilled hole with power equipment. |
Spikes installed in sleeper |
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The sleeper plate was designed to help spread the load and
cant (incline) the rail.
Other benefits include the need for all spikes to move before the rail
can spread. |
Sleeper plate installed |
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In recent years the availability of hardwood timbers for use as
sleepers has become greatly reduced and high in cost. This has lead to
other forms of sleeper and fastening systems being investigated
/researched by the BBR for use in track to provide longevity and ease of
maintenance. These include concrete sleepers, timber sleepers with "Pandrol"
fastening system, handmade prototypes of steel sleeper and CCA treated
pine sleepers. All of these examples can be found even today on BBR Track.
In 2003 the BBR in conjunction with Whiteman Park chose to move to the
use of steel sleepers due to a ready availability, ease of installation,
long service life and competitive unit cost.
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Steel Sleepers used on the BBR are a current modern design
as used on other railways albeit made shorter.
Made from the same rolled steel section as standard mainline sleepers. |
Steel Sleeper installed |
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Trak-Lok fastening system is used on the BBR with the steel
sleeper.
It comprises of a pillar and a spring clip. The Clip exerts a downward
force on the rail foot of 9kN (2000 Pounds force). |
Trak-Lok fastening installed |
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Typical BBR track section with a mixture of
steel and timber sleepers.
Steel sleepers are being installed at a rate of
approx 1 in 4 to ensure holding of gauge.
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| For all railways, maintenance of track is an
ongoing issue which is vital to the safe and smooth operation of the
railway.
Without the track there
are no operating trains.
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