Re: Redfern derailment - rails rusted through???

["Gnome 412" <gnome412@hotmail.com>]

More bit and pieces of information ...

I heard on morning radio around 07:00 Friday that there had been a
derailment, that CityRail were not blaming speed, SPAD, or crew
intoxication.  Also that there had been an unrelated "fatal" at Warnervale
that affected Newcastle-Sydney trains.

Visited Redfern and Central around 08:00 to see

*    the eighth and seventh cars (C3600 and T4250) of set C8 had been hauled
to Central (Intercity platforms) by Freightcorp 8007

*    the sixth, fifth and fourth cars (T4260, C3589, C3603??) were in
various positions of derailment on the Engine Dive line (the single track
that passes beneath Redfern platform 1 and connects with the Up Main about
100m north of Redfern)

*    an eight-car V set passing Central platform 19 non-stop at 08:22

*    a well-crowded train numbered 116A consisting of 2-car set K3 arrive
Central (InterCity platforms) at 09:03 ... I *guess* this was a substitute
for N116 (05:47 ex Newcastle, due to depart Wyong at 07:00)

By around 16:00, the Down Main at Redfern had been reopened.  The Up Main
had had one empty train around 16:00, but after that all trains into Central
(Intercity platforms) arrived from the Suburban Line (i.e. Redfern plat. 3).

T4260, C3589, C3603?? were still sitting at the entrance to the Engine Dive
(with T4260 jacked up).  8007 was stabled with C3600 and T4250 in 3/4 middle
road.  I *guess* will be cleared away over the weekend.

BTW, I was told (*unconfirmed*) that the route from Sydney to Eveleigh via
the Up Main and Up Engine Dive has only been in use as a bi-directional line
for two weeks.  Maybe this was the first test of the facing point lock on
points that have been trailing for about 75 years??

A summary from http:/news.com.au:
Derailment cause delays in Sydney
>From AAP
07apr00

7.10am (AEST) COMMUTERS can expect delays this morning of up to 15 minutes
across the entire StateRail network due to a derailment an inner-city
station overnight.

At 10:05pm last night the last five cars of an eight-carriage train derailed
outside Redfern station.
A StateRail spokesman says this morning peak-hour commuters on intercity and
country lines could expect delays across the whole network of 15 minutes.
The empty older-style double decker train was making its last journey for
the night heading to the Eveleigh rail siding, south of Redfern station,
when the derailment occurred.
Only the driver and a guard were on board the train at the time.
Both had been treated by ambulance paramedics at the scene for shock and
will provide statements to StateRail investigators this morning.
Investigators are looking into the as yet unknown cause of the accident.
Emergency crews are this morning working to clear the track using hydraulic
jacks and heavy lifting cranes.
The incident is another black mark against the city's rail system with a
string of derailments over the past six months including at Waverton,
Hornsby and Olympic Park at Homebush.