New track commissioned

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 3, 16 June 1987, Page 1

New track commissioned

Three kilometres of the Main Trunk Line, from south of the new Taonui Bridge to Horopito, were commissioned according to schedule on Monday. Work on the electrification of the line has been on-going for over 18 months. Earthworks 1a 5km stretch from Ohakune to just south of the Taonui Bridge, was started by contractors Hurlstone Earthmovers in June 1985 and work is virtually complete. Earthworks 2- the area of newly commissioned line, was contracted by Hayes and Eastwood, Wanganui, and was started in September 1985. To date, about 800,000 cubic metres of dirt have been removed from site to make way for the new alignment.

Contractors Hayes and Eastwood had to remove about 4000 cubic metres of material when making the initial cutting. The new alignment is about six metres below the existing track level and the alignment was left on the embankment. The climb from Ohakune to Horopito was originally 130 metres. The 1 in 60 gradient of the line is the standard ruling grade for electrification work. The total cost of the project, taking into consideration track and rehabilitation work, construction of the new Hapuawhenua Viaduct and Taonui Bridge and Earthworks 1 and 2 is about $17 million, according to Railways Site Engineer Gary McGill.