It might surprise you, but plenty of work happens on Melbourne’s railway network while trains are still running.
Work crews stepping off the tracks when trains approach.
And then get back to work inspecting the tracks once they’ve passed.
But trains have continued running through bigger projects – like the 2009 rebuilding of Laverton station.
Where an entire track was ripped up.
Or the rebuilding of a level crossing in Geelong.
With V/Line trains crawling along to one side.
And freight trains on the other.
Or Regional Rail Rail works at South Kensington.
Each train being stopped by a red flag, allowing the track to be cleared, before a green flag was given to proceed.
But the craziest example I’ve seen was back in 2009 outside Geelong.
The complete trackbed had been dug up and relaid, but no ballast had been laid.
But a steam train headed towards Ballarat was still allowed over the track.
But with the track gang keeping a very close eye on it’s progress.
A similarly crazy movement occurred in 2007, when suburban trains stranded by the Middleborough Road Project were rescued by diesel locomotives travelling on a hastily constructed track through the work site.
Footnote
This video has done the rounds over the years – 1,200 Japanese workers convert above-ground train to subway line in a matter of hours.
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