Indian Pacific, 3/1

[Peter Donaghy <PeterDo@als.com.au>]

Aus loco discussion mailing list

Last night's Indian Pacific arrived in Orange (just short of East Fork)
around 2105-2110 as NR111 / NR116 (elephants)/ full (8-car) motorail /
16 pass carriages.  The driver contacted Orange Box regarding some
problem he was experiencing with the lead unit (I didn't hear what it
was); they told him that he'd have to try East Fork Box, but they
weren't able to help, either.  The decision was taken around 2125 to
swap the locos around.  Handbrakes were applied, NR111 pulled forward
onto the Parkes leg of the triangle, NR116 onto the Dubbo leg.  NR111
then set back, followed by NR116, air was pumped up and a continuity
test performed.  The train then pulled into East Fork to collect two
passengers and departed at 2200 behind NR116 / NR111, both powering.  I
wonder if the problem may have been radio or headlight-related??
Fortunately WL1 was double-headed!  I wonder what would have happened if
a single unit was on, and became unserviceable - would a loco have been
despatched from Parkes (possibly Silverton 442 if no NRs there?), or an
available FreightCorp unit called in to assist (WL1 was to cross 8216 at
Manildra last night)?

If an incorrect detail is given in a train order and not noticed by the
driver, then he repeats it back, what is the procedure if the error is
then spotted?  Can the order be amended, or does it have to be cancelled
and re-issued?  Last night's reversal of units occurred before the order
was issued, but if it already had been, how does swapping locos affect
the situation?  This would be a situation occurring occasionally in SA
where a loco fails and a unit is removed from another train to assist.

Regards,

Peter Donaghy
Manager, Orange laboratory
ph. (02) 6363 1722
fax (02) 6363 1189


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