[VIC] Mucking 'round at Sim St Jct

["Notagunzel" <notagunzel@bigfoot.com>]

SW 002/2000 (note the new Y2K compliant circular numbering) arrived this
afternoon by fast carrier pidgeon.  It reveals in detail the latest ARTC
masterstroke, including a contrived arrangement where 1 Annett Key releases
a catch point, which in turn releases another Annett Key releasing the main
line points... all in the intercapital main line.  It's all reminiscent of
something out of a 1910's signalling text book on Indian colonial
practice...

Not to mention the requirement for a Bod to be present at Post 136 for every
SG move in & out.... Surely the cost of this bloke would have covered at
least a traincrew operated switchlock... |-(

But the big unanswered question is why?  Is it that NR doesn't like 'the
competition' accessing Appleton Dock through 'their' operations terminal?
(Obviously 3rd party open access doesn't extend to Narc yards)

Also, the 'Passing of Signals at the Stop Position' enthusiasts out there
should like the method of bringing SG moves into & out of the 'Broad Gauge
Access Track'. |-)

Anyway, through the wonder of (16 bit) OCR here we go:

**********************************************************************
                                VicTrack
                                Access
SW. 002/2000                                             SW. 002/2000

DISTRIBUTION:
Centrol, Metrol,                        Office of Manager Rail Safety
AU Metropolitan and Regional Depots,       Level 3/589 Collins Street
Stations & Signalboxes.                         Melbourne.  Vic. 3000
N.R.C Dynon, Dimboola@ Adelaide & Junee,  (03) 9619 .. Fax (03) 9619 ..
A.R.T.C Adelaide,                                    7th January 2000
Great Northern, West Coast Railways.
                                                      6 PAGE CIRCULAR
AMENDMENT
1994 BOOK OF RULES AND OPERATING PROCEDURES

APPLETON DOCK LINE
REVISED OPERATING PROCEDURES
(REFERENCE CIRCULAR 'SW'1265/99)


Advice has been received from the A.R.T.C of the following track and
signalling alterations which are to be effected at Sims Street Junction and
on the Appleton Dock Line on Sunday 9.1.2000. The works will be carried out
between the hours of 0001 and 21 00.

· Dual Gauge line will be provided on the Appleton Dock Line between the
existing TR at the Footscray Road end of the line and Sims Street Junction.
A new set of Annett Locked points will be commissioned for use in 'S' Track
on the standard gauge line.

· A 'TR' ( gauge splitter ) will be installed in 'Y' Track at a point
adjacent to Dwarf Signal No.108.

· Catch Points will be installed in the standard gauge rail within the
vicinity of the 'TR' in 'Y' Track.

· Both the Catch Points and the standard gauge points in 'S' Track will be
secured by miniature 'Fortress' type 'E' and 'F' pattern Annett Locks
respectively.  The 'E' pattern Annett Key will normally be, secured in a
Safeworking cabinet at Home Signal Post No. 138, whilst the 'F' pattern
Annett Key will be secured in a duplex lock located adjacent to the Catch
Point lever.  Release of the 'F' pattern Annett Key will first require the
catch points to be in the Reverse position, which will in turn secure the
'E' pattern Annett Key in the duplex lock. (refer details below)

SW 002/2000                      .2.                     SW 002/2000

· A Safeworking Cabinet will be, provided on the post of Home Signal No.139.
The Safeworking Cabinet contains the E pattern Annett Key which is secured
in a circuit controller.  The door to the cabinet is secured with an
independent Padlock, the key to which is held by the Signaller, West Tower.
The competent employee must sign for the key on each occasion that it is
received and returned.  These entries must be made in the Train Register
Book.

· The hand points currently installed at the Footscray Road end of the broad
gauge access track will be removed from service.

· The hand points leading from the Appleton Dock line to the Steel Terminal
will be spiked and clipped out of service.

· 'Stop' Boards 'B', 'C' "7' and 9 in the Melbourne Operations Terminal will
be abolished.

· Up Home Signal No. 138 ('S' Track) will be relocated to a new position 40
metres further in a Down direction.  The Signal will be placed on a signal
mast at standard height and converted to a LED Signal.

· Control of movements over the Appleton Dock Line will transfer to ARTC
under the direction of the Signaller West Tower.

· Operation of the Standard Gauge Annett Locked points at Sims Street
Junction will be carried out by a competent safeworking employee under the
direction of the Signaller, West Tower.

WEST TOWER- OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
('SW' CIRCULAR 1265/99)
(WEEKLY OPERATIONAL NOTICE NO.44/99)

· The reference to 'Stop' Boards 'B', 'C' 7 and 9 is to be deleted from Page
5 of the West Tower Operational Procedures Manual ( Clause 2.2 - Location of
"Stop' Boards ). The reference to 'Stop' Board No.6 is to be amended to read
'For Down Broad Gauge movements from the North Lead to Shaw's Siding empty
returns or towards 'Holland's' Siding.

· The details below are to be inserted as a new Operating Procedure No.14.4
on Page 19 of the West Tower Operational Procedures Manual.

14.4 Appleton Dock Line - Operating Procedures
A.
1. Prior to a broad gauge train for Appleton Dock departing from Tottenham
Yard, the Freight Victoria Train Controller shall ensure that the movement
has a clear passage over the route through reference with the ARTC Train
Controller (North East) and the Signaller, West Tower.

SW 002/2000                   .3.                       SW 002/2000

2. Prior to a standard gauge train for Appleton Dock departing from
Tottenham Loop, the ARTC Train Controller shall ensure that the movement has
a clear passage over the route through reference with the Signaller West
Tower and that staff are in position at Home Signal No.138 to hand operate
the points as detailed below.

3. Prior to authorising a train to depart from Appleton Dock/Grain Corp
siding the Signaller West Tower must ensure that the relevant broad or
standard gauge Train Controller is able to accept the movement.

4. The speed of all movements between Dock Links Rd and Footscray must not
exceed 15 throughout.

5. In the event that there is a "conflict of movements" the ARTC Train
Transit Manager must advise the priority of movements

B. Interface with National Rail

The National Rail Shunt Crew when performing hand over with West Tower are
to be given advice of current and planned movement of trains over the dual
gauge lines.  Prior to any movement being given approval to depart from
Tottenham or Appleton Dock, the Signaller West Tower shall advise the
National Rail Shunt Crew on telephone 0408 ... ... of the proposed movement.

C. Safe Working Cabinet - Home Signal No.138

A safe working cabinet containing an 'E' pattern Annett Key has been
installed on the post of Home Signal No.138. When the door of the cabinet is
unlocked and opened, all signals protecting the junction to the Appleton
Dock Line will be secured at the 'Stop' position.  Additionally, a five
minute 'run down' will apply before the 'E' pattern Annett Key is able to be
removed from the box.  An indicator light is provided on the control panel
at West Tower.  Whilst the door to the safeworking cabinet is closed and
locked the indicator light win be illuminated.  When the 'E' pattern Annett
Key is removed from the lock in the cabinet, the indicator light will be
extinguished.

D. Communications

Communications between the competent employee, West Tower and train
movements must be on radio charmer 9

SW 002/2000                       .4.                   SW 002/2000

E. Operations in the vicinity of Home Signal No. 138

Broad Gauge

Movements will be signalled towards Appleton Dock using the low speed
indication on Home Signal No.160 as per current arrangements.

Dwarf Signal No. 136 is to be operated in order to complete the movement.

Standard Gauge

The competent employee must obtain the key to the safeworking cabinet from
the Signaller, West Tower.  The competent employee must sign for the key in
the Train Register Book.

The movement is to be brought to a stand at Home Signal No.138 which must be
held at the 'Stop' position.

On being advised by the Signaller West Tower that the movement has authority
to proceed to Appleton Dock and all associated signals are at the 'Stop'
position, the competent employee at the location must open the safe working
cabinet near Home Signal No.138 in preparation to remove the 'E' pattern
Annett key from the lock.

After a delay of five minutes the 'E' pattern Annett Key will be able to be
released from the lock.  The 'E' pattern Annett Key must then be placed in
the duplex lock in order to unlock the lever of the catch points.

The catch points must be placed in the reverse position (blade closed) which
will in turn release the 'F' pattern Annett Key from the duplex lock.  The
'F' pattern Annett Key must then be used to unlock the points in 'S' Track
and the points then placed to the reverse position.  The competent employee
must then obtain permission for the train to pass Home Signal No.138 at the
"Stop" position from the Signaller Wee Tower via the radio.  The competent
employee must relay this advice to the Driver.

The level crossing test switch must then be operated at Dock Links Road.
The train crew must not commence the movement until the boom barriers at
Dock Links Rd have lowered to the horizontal position.

When the movement has cleared onto the dual gauge access line to Appleton
Dock, the competent employee must return the level crossing test switch to
the normal position.  The points must then be restored to the normal
position and the 'F' pattern Annett Key removed.

The 'F, pattern Annett key must then be inserted in the duplex lock adjacent
to the catch point lever.  The catch points must then be restored to the
Normal position and the 'E' pattern Annett Key must then be withdrawn and
inserted into the detection apparatus to restore normal interlocking
control.  The indicator light at West Tower will then be displayed as
evidence that the Annett Key has been returned.  The safeworking cabinet
must then be locked box and if no other standard gauge movements are to be
made, the key returned to the Signaller, West Tower.

SW 002/2000                    .5.                       SW 002/2000

When the movement has arrived clear of the Appleton Dock line, the Signaller
West Tower is to be advised.

G. Movements from Appleton Dock

Broad Gauge Trains

After being given approval to proceed by the Signaller West Tower, the
movement will then proceed to Dwarf Signal No. 132 in accordance with
current instructions.  Dwarf Signal No. 132 must be cleared for the movement
to proceed to West Footscray.

When the rear of the train has cleared the new standard gauge turnout and a
standard gauge movement is to follow, the competent employee at Sims Street
junction must advise the Signaller West Tower accordingly.

Standard Gauge Trains

After being given approval to proceed by the Signaller West Tower, the
movement will proceed in accordance with current instructions to Dwarf
Signal No.132. This Signal must be held at the 'Stop' position along with
other signals protecting the junction to the Appleton Dock Line.

The competent employee at the location must then seek approval from the
Signaller West Tower to allow passage of the movement onto the standard
gauge main line.

On opening the safe working cabinet all signals protecting the junction to
the Appleton Dock Line will be secured at the 'Stop' position.
Additionally, the indicator light on the control panel at West Tower will be
extinguished.  After a time delay of 5 minutes the 'E' pattern Annett Key
will be able to be released from the lock in the safeworking cabinet.  The
'E' pattern Annett Key must then be inserted into the duplex lock adjacent
to the catch point lever.  The catch points must then be placed to the
Reverse position.  This will release the 'F' pattern Annett Key which must
be used to unlock the points in 'S' Track.  The points must then be placed
to the Reverse position.

Permission must be obtained from the Signaller West Tower by the competent
employee for the movement to pass Dwarf Signal No.132 in the 'Stop' position
via the radio.  This permission must be passed on to the Driver of the train
concerned.  The test switch at the level crossing must then be utilized to
activate the level crossing protection equipment.  The crew must not
commence the movement until the boom barriers at Dock Links Rd have lowered
to the horizontal position.

When the movement has cleared the level crossing, the test switch must be
restored to the normal position.

The points must then be returned to the normal position and the 'F' pattern
Annett Key removed from the lock.

SW 002/2000                         .6.                  SW 002/2000

The 'F' pattern Annett Key must then be placed in the duplex lock situated
adjacent to the catch point lever.  The catch points must then be restored
to the Normal position, which will allow for the release of the 'E' pattern
Annett Key.

The 'E' pattern Annett Key must then be returned to the detection apparatus
in the safeworking cabinet which will restore normal interlocking control.
The indicator light at West Tower will then be displayed as evidence that
the key has been inserted in the circuit controller.  The safeworking
Cabinet must then be locked and if no other standard gauge movements are to
be made, the key returned to the Signaller, West Tower.

H. Track Machines and Vehicles

All track machines and vehicles must obtain the approval of the Signaller
West Tower before proceeding onto or along the Appleton Dock Line.

    --------------------------------------------------------

Freight Victoria Operations Manager - Central to please arrange for a
Signaller to be in attendance at West Tower during the above period.

A Safeworking Supervisor will be in attendance during the above period.

D.WARD
MANAGER RAIL SAFETY

****************************************************************

Of course for revealing the inner details of ARTC assets, I will now be
hunted down & exterminated.

Good Evening.

--
Mr Notagunzel.
Founding Member of the ARTC Fan Club.
notagunzel@bigfoot.com
(Regrets to announce there will be no further moves at
http://www.geocities.com/nota_gunzel
until further notice is issued from this office)