TRACK RENEWAL PROJECT BETWEEN ANDRITSA - KALAMATA
This track renewal project began in January 2004, but without any substantial works being done until August 2004. Finally in September the works got under way due to the fact the the first batches of concrete sleepers were delivered on site.
The first track section renewed was that between Tripolis and Steno. The pictures below show the works on this section.
The roadbed of the railway line looking from the Tripolis - Korinth highway overbridge towards Tripolis. In the first picture we see the improved trackbed with the rails dispersed on the left side of it. The second picture shows us the same location after the laying of the track. We can see that the ballasting of the track is not yet complete.(Both Photographs: Leonidas Kylintireas)
A view of the line looking from the Tripolis - Korinth highway towards Steno. The first picture shows us the phase of trackbed improvement and the second picture shows us the phase of tracklaying. (Both Photographs: Leonidas Kylintireas)
The two pictures above are to compare the renewed track (first photograph) with the old one (second photograph). We have to mention that the ballasting of the renewed track, in this picture, is not complete yet. A key feature of it is the use, for the first time on the railway network on the Peloponnese, of monobloc concrete sleepers (with a weight of about 200kgr) in contrast to the steel (like in the second picture with a weight of about 50kgr) or wooden sleepers (with a weight of about 60kgr). This will help in retaining track geometry for a longer time. Another feature is the use of elastic rail fastenings made by Vossloh. (Both photographs: Leonidas Kylintireas)
In places were there is no need of concrete sleepers ordinary wooden sleepers
are used with elastic clips, as shown here near the station of Achladokampos.
(Photograph: Leonidas Kylintireas)
One of the new features introduced in this track renewal project is the use
of new heavy type switches that enable the trains to pass from the straight
segment with a speed of 120kph (for a meter gauge network this speed is considered
high). These switches are produced from the world famous Austrian rail manufacturer
Voest - Alpine. (Photograph: Leonidas Kylintireas)
Here we see the entrance to Steno station looking towards Partheni. We can
see that the track is almost ready. Only tamping and ballast profiling is
needed. (Photograph: Leonidas Kylintireas)
Here we can see the tamping machine used for the project in Tripolis depot.
(Photograph: Leonidas Kylintireas)
The ballast profiling machine seen here at Steno station. (Photograph: Leonidas
Kylintireas)
The road going machines that are used for the project. The sleepers are put
into position with the machine pictured in front. (Photograph: Leonidas Kylintireas)
Every couple of meters there are pallets with concrete sleepers ready to be
placed on the roadbed. The come ready with pre-assembled Vossloh SKL rail
fastening clips. (Photograph: Leonidas Kylintireas)
Here we can see the sleepers "lying" on the first layer of ballast.
The next step is to place the rails in position. The section shown here is
between Partheni and Steno. (Photograph: Leonidas Kylintireas)
The machine pictured here positions the rail in to the preformed slot on the
sleepers. This is done mechanically because each short section of track weights
about 570kg (31.6kg/m - 18m). (Photograph: Leonidas Kylintireas)
Here you see a stretch of track in the phase of ballasting. (Photograph: Leonidas
Kylintireas)