Re: Swanston Trams & W-Class

[Chris <csinn@netlink.com.au>]

Craig Haber wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> W-Class wrote:
> 
> > Memo for Swanston Management :
> >         When you ask drivers to drop sand, this will cause more sand
> > to end up on the tracks..
> 
> Just out of curiosity, dropping sand on the tracks is a move to increase
> traction, so saying that dropping sand on the tracks will help is implying
> that the W's are *locking* their brakes.  Is this indeed the alleged
> problem?
> 
> Regards,
> Craig.
> --
> Craig Haber
> albatross@harnessnet.com.au
> Rail Operations Officer, West Coast Railway
> Web Page Developer, Railway Enthusiast, Essendon Football Club Fanatic
> http://www.harnessnet.com.au/ch/
> I haven't really lost my mind - it's backed up on disk somewhere......

I work at the Malvern depot and I have never heard drivers being
instructed to drop sand. A driver will use the sand if it is felt that
that traction is going to be lost or when adhesion to the rails is lost
when braking due to mainly poorly cleaned rails. The use of sand and the
problems with the Ws have nothing to do with each other