Impromptu signal [Was: Whats a 'guard's indicator' ...]

[ianst@refer.to.sig.au.invalid (Ian Staples)]

In article <BGlo4.22167$3b6.94038@ozemail.com.au>, 
"Chris Downs" <cvdowns@ozemail.com.au> wrote:
>I can't recall a station platform having a guard's indicator where there 
>is no signal (automatic or absolute) governing the departure of the train.
>Once the guard gives the clear to depart bell the train departs.

Back in the good old days one of the career building requirements for
ag students at UQ was to undertake an extended train safari of Qld
during the August vacation.  This involved living in a couple of QR
carriages that got hitched to convenient passing trains and then
abandoned at the next place where we were to spend a day or two (if
not abandoned earlier at some unchosen siding :-).  The overall
route was Brisbane/Cairns/bus across Atherton Tableland/Innisfail/
Townsville/Hughenden/Winton/Longreach/Emerald/Rockhampton/Brisbane.

At the time I did this trip it was something of a survival exercise
too.  We were not self-sufficient, but relied on railway refreshment
rooms etc.  Such reliance was a bit misplaced on the section from 
Hughenden to Rockhampton via Winton and Longreach.  Later years did
better because they took a dining car with them and prepared their 
own meals where railway facilities were inadequate.

But I digress.  What has this got to do with the "guard's indicator"?

Well, in those days it seemed to be that the guard simply waved his
official railway hat to the driver to signal that the train was ready
to depart from his perspective.  (Perhaps this was *after* ringing a
bell to warn people to stand away from the train?)

Now, students being students, several of my contemporaries somehow,
and for some undisclosed reason, got away with a porter's hat at Ayr
(or was it Home Hill?) on the way north.  The hat stayed with the
group for the rest of the trip.

For the final "express" :) leg from Rockhampton back to Brisbane we
were attached to the Sunlander.  As people were mingling on the
platform at Rockhampton, one of the blokes lent out of the "patio"
of our little attachment at the rear of the train and waved the
porter's hat.  The Sunlander departed.

Maybe it was ready to go anyway.  Maybe a somewhat more official
signal had been given by the guard.  But we remained convinced we 
had sent Queensland's premier rail service on its way that day!

Cheers,  Ian S.

Addendum:  Having served us well, the porter's hat was subsequently 
posted back to him from Brisbane.

ianstDELETE@THISdpi.qld.gov.au