Cullinan trip March 2013

[John Ashworth]

Photos by Dick Manton, March 2013

[Nathan Berelowitz]

If he only knew how we battled with greasy rails getting out of Cullinan from the track inspection trolley who had greased the tracks inner sides for flange lubrication!!

[Brendon Anderson]

What is grade on the line out of Cullinan? With nine coaches and greasy rails I can imagine the battle!

[Steve Appleton]

Brendon, the first kilometer out of Cullinan is on about a 1:50 grade commencing just 100 meters from the station. There is a 150 metre radius "S" bend (right then left) on this grade located between 500 and 800 meters from the station. Each of the two curves is fitted with a check-rail. So, this gradient that is encountered so soon after starting out, coupled with the double bend and the check-rails binding on the inside wheel-backs creates a real challenge.

A second challenge awaits on the approach from the branch line into Rayton station where there is yet another "S" bend, the second of which is a 190 degree horseshoe (a "U" turn) of about a 150 metre radius, also on an up gradient and also fitted with a check-rail.

It is those two challenges that limit the load each of our locos can effectively take to into Cullinan if we want to get out again especially if it rains (or as happened, if the inside surface of the rail-head has been greased, supposedly to reduce rail and wheel-flange wear).

[Brendon Anderson]

Thanks for the info Steve. Yep, check railed tight curves make life very difficult. On our line between Kloof and Inchanga I think just about every curve has a check rail and most bends are minumum radius 90 meter (300 foot) curves.

Running with the 19D we limit the load to four coaches on the 1 in 30 grades while the 3BR will haul up to six comfortably. All it takes is some adverse weather and things get challenging very quickly!! The loco's become a beach buggy with the amount of sand needed to clear the bank!