Making light work

KiwiRail crews replace a light tower in Dunedin’s shunt yard yesterday. A KiwiRail spokesman said it was replacing a single tower. While the tower was in good condition, it was in an unsuitable position because of KiwiRail’s requirement to operate container hoists over the nearby rail crossing. The lights would be focused downwards towards the rail yard and container transfer site, the spokesman said.

"While KiwiRail’s lattice style light towers have been in service from the 1920s, the tower being replaced is of a more recent vintage as it has a galvanised coating and is likely to [have been] installed sometime between the 1950s and 1980s. Staff trained in working at heights climb all KiwiRail’s lattice light towers for inspection and maintenance purposes. Inspections are undertaken annually, and maintenance is as required [including both electrical/bulb replacement and structural].’"