Re: Stockinbingal (was Sightings: Wednesday 26/01)

[David Langley <del@ancc.com.au>]

Aus loco discussion mailing list



"Stratton, Chris CP" wrote:

> Aus loco discussion mailing list
>
> I've just checked my slides from last April and I can only see two tracks through the station area at Stockinbingal. There is one platform on the north side of the tracks. What is the centre track?

There is no centre track. There are two tracks - one up and one down but only the up track has a platform. The down track has no platform any more. Prior to the removal of the down platform, down trains (per my infrequent observations) always used the down platform as the signalman could do the staff exchange from the down platform. When the down platform was removed, the staff
would have to be exchanged from the ground (there was no staff exchange platform provided) and thus my guess is that when trains are not crossing (and even then there is an exception to the rule) down trains are brought into the existing platform (the former up platform) and the staff exchange is performed from the platform. This is an unsignalled move and thus requires a hand
signal (or flag) for the train to enter the station, the existing down home signal only applies to the DOWN track (where there is now no platform).

The crossing exception I mentioned was observed a few years ago and the down train concerned had a 44 leading 2 81 class on an interstate goods. The 44 was removed from the train as it sat at the platform - the rear of it was well outside the home signal - and placed in the siding nearest the main line at the down end. The goods was then signalled (by hand) into the  siding that
runs round the back of the grain silos in order to clear the main line. The leading bogie of the first vehicle decided that it didn't like that move and promptly derailed on the siding facing points. The driver out of site of the action asked us (taking photos of course) what happened when the air was lost. We said that you are in the dirt and he replied ........ well I won't
repeat it here. The up train duly arrived at the up home signal and the crew walked in for relief. They were unable to effect relief from their end because the grain siding is not a loop and they couldn't get to the other end due to the length of the down train. We were to follow this train to Parkes but obviously left without it and later heard that relief locos ran out from
Cootamundra to assist. Great delays ensued.

David.


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