42s is the first tram on new track at Railway Square, Sydney Tramway Museum

Ballast motor 42s is the first tram to run on this freshly laid track. With a film of rust and cement to crack off, there is much sparking as the tram grinds it's way up hill over the new track. Shortly afterwards a 'scrubber' tram followed up and rubbed the rails clean.

[@caroleast9636]

I can see a lot of hard work has gone into this project, and buried in concrete, means it’s all the more critical to get it right. Good to have what looks like a satisfactory trial run. There’s bound to be a few sparks on the earth return first time along. Well done all involved.

[@MatthewGeier]

This track has now been in service for several years. Even more track has been rebuilt since then, the last and current projects using recycled rails dug up out of ANZAC Pde by the contractor building the new CESLR line. The old rails see trams again. See the museum website 'Enthusiasts’ Corner' section. We don't stand still.

[@joshuahalla.k.a.controlla6333]

Great video. ☺️

[@moseskepha381]

Super

[@anandms7537]

I love like this train videos

[@Vikramshila_Express_Bhagalpur]

Why sparks are formed ?

[@MatthewGeier]

Dirty track. In this case, rust and cement. The track forms part of the electrical circuit. The rails soon clean up and no more sparks.

[@davidlang1125]

Is there a Railway Square in Loftus where the Tramway Museum is located? I’ve always associated Railway Square with Central Station in Sydney proper.

[@MatthewGeier]

The tramway museum has the 'original' Railway Square tramway era waiting shelter from the city. It was dismantled and re-erected at Loftus. We call the location 'Railway Square' after the relocated building from Railway Square.

[@davidlang1125]

@@MatthewGeier very appropriate! Good to see the building was preserved and not be demolished by some zealous public works functionary! I’m certain rail and tram fans like yourselves had some say in the matter. Thanks for all you guys do.
From California.

[@edwardmortimer2150]

Why where there sparks, it looked as if the track was electrified like a model railway

[@MatthewGeier]

The rails are dirty and making poor electrical contact with the wheels. A few runs back and forth and the rails polish up and no more sparks.

[@gopalkhandare75]

No BCS in railtracks they have an electricity to travel it's 25000v means Train transfer energy to tracks so they can push forward...

[@edwardmortimer2150]

@@gopalkhandare75 OK thanks

[@MatthewGeier]

@@edwardmortimer2150 Nearly all electric railways use the rails as part of the electrical circuit, hence only one overhead wire, not two like an electric 'trolley bus' needs. The trick is to ensure that the rails are at the same potential as the ground they are sitting on so there is no electrical risk to passersby as there is no potential between the rails and the earth they are sitting on. Our trams run on 600vDC. The railway next door runs on 1500vDC, other railways run on 25kv AC. But all share the same system of the rails being part of the circuit and it's set up to ensure the potential between the rails and the earth is zero. (or near enough to zero) so no risk to people on the ground near the tracks of electrical hazard.

[@edwardmortimer2150]

@@MatthewGeier I never knew that, wondered why there was only 1 wire, thanks!

[@elbandaleros]

Nice video.. How do trams change track..

[@MatthewGeier]

Same as trains. Points. This video shows 42s running over 2 sets of points, one controlled by a ball lever beside the track, the other by a weight-blance mechanim under track.

[@greghills4443]

why is the track sparks

[@MatthewGeier]

The rails are part of the power supply circuit. 600v DC on the overhead wire, through the controller and motors and then back to the substation through the rails. Electrical circuits must form a complete loop.

[@greghills4443]

So the rails are electric ?

[@MatthewGeier]

The rails form part of the power circuit for pretty well all electric railways. The rails are at zero volts (earth) potential so there is normally no hazard touching the rails as you are at the same electrical potential as they are.
The only major exception is the London Underground 4th rail system where to avoid electrolysis damage to the iron tunnel linings, there is a positive power rail (to the side) and a negative power rail (centre), both which are insulated from the earth (running rails/tunnel lining).
When an electric rail vehicle badly derails, one of the first actions by the crew is to remove the trolley pole or pantograph from the overhead to ensure the body of the vehicle can not become 'live' with respect to the earth around it. Only then will they evacuate the passengers.

[@Techno-Universal]

Matthew Geier
There was originally also quite a lot of dust of the tracks at the beginning that was compromising the electrical contact between the wheels and rails so it caused the sparks but it was pretty much fine on the way back due to how the arcing at the start cleared away lines in the dust where the rails were fully exposed! :)

[@hamjazz]

@@greghills4443 dooooohhhhh

[@칼질하는요리사]

안전운행 하시기를

[@nevoling]

Стопорной проволоки нет на гайке

[@mdjaveed9662]

OK

[@elbandaleros]

those sparks are because of earthing .....

[@GWRProductions-kg9pt]

what do you expect the railheads are contaminated

[@residivisblongkiri]

😱🥺

[@apiaristicone9585]

ah yeah you need to sort out your earth bonds pronto

[@GWRProductions-kg9pt]

nothing wrong with them, the railheads need cleaning

[@MatthewGeier]

It was purely dirty rails - rust and cement. A subsequent run with the scrubber car cleaned all that off.

[@GWRProductions-kg9pt]

@@MatthewGeier no need, couple of runs will do the trick

[@satriaberok1161]

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