Re: Norway Prang

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

At http://www.nsb.no/ there are pictures of the 2 types of trains involved,
and there has been a report released, (not in English) at
http://www.aftenposten.no/objekter/dokumenter/rapport.htm

To quote http://eriksrailnews.com (talking about this report):

"It states that the northbound commuter train left Rustad station at 13:08,
two minutes early, and passed a signal at danger. The traffic controller in
Hamar was busy with another rail line and did not look at the computer
monitor for the Røros line until 13:12. The computer monitor then indicated
that the northbound commuter had left Rustad station and driven through a
point/turnout which was originally set the other way. The traffic controller
then asked his colleagues for numbers to the train drivers. Simultaneously,
the conductor in the southbound train alerted the emergency hotline that the
trains had collided. The collision occurred at 13:12:35."

So it was just another SPAD.

On an overseas signalling mailing list, details of the safeworking have come
to light.  The single line section wasn't fitted with track circuits, but I
believe the stations were.  There is a magnet (like a Victorian modified
ETM) hung on the coupling of the rear vehicle of each train, and sensors
detect the arrival of the train out of the single line section, proving the
section is clear.  The interlockings at the stations are described as "of
PLC type", I assume they are one of the European CBI products.  The train
arrival indication by the Magnet is "transmitted to a central location for
monitoring".

http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/d117902.htm is a picture from the
Norwegian press of Rustad Station, where the SPAD occurred.

--
Mr Notagunzel.
Rail Transportation Connoisseur
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)