Re: [NSW] S set air condition trial

[The Railway Rasputin II <bob@fastlink.com.au>]

Some drivers refuse to do it because they "catch things" they don't want
, ie Birds, bees, wasps, rocks etc.
Me, give me the cool air.
Some drivers also drive with all the doors and windows closed and the
drivers window and the sliding door open for increased air flow. 
On some lines this is not practical.

rgds

Jonathan Lau wrote:
> 
> Why can't you open the door at the front of the cab?. I have seen some drivers
> leave the front door open on hot days. Or has CityRail put a stop to that?
> 
> Jon Lau
> 
> "C. Dewick" wrote:
> 
> > Yes, but there are serious crew safety problems with the S-sets because of
> > the cramped nature of the drivers cabs, the lack of airflow, and the
> > inability to adequately maintain a comfortable, safe (for health reasons)
> > environment.
> >
> > The lack of cab air conditioning means keeping the conditions in the cab
> > within reasonable boundaries is extremely hit and miss, and there are only
> > three ways to control the environment in the cab - opening windows and/or
> > airvents, using the heater, and using the blinds.
> >
> > On a hot sunny day we can't pull the blinds all the way down since not only
> > does that keep the light and heat out, it also stops airflow through the
> > open side window, and of course by blocking out the light how can we see
> > where the train is going? 8-)
> >
> > On cold days we have to use the heaters, and they either heat the cab up too
> > much (which means we have to open the windows to cool down, which causes a
> > stream of cold air to blow right in the driver's face), or not enough.
> >
> > On extremely hot days there is nothing that can be done to reduce the air
> > temperature to a safe level. A 30+ degree cab air temp is bearable for a
> > short period of time, but sitting in a train cab for up to an hour with no
> > respite from the heat makes people pass out, reduces our ability to control
> > the train properly, and basically is just the same as driving a car on a
> > really hot day when there's no airconditioning available.
> >
> > Fortunately this summer has been very mild, but in previous years a lot of
> > drivers have got out of their trains and sat in the shade for a time before
> > going again because the cabs get too hot. I've done it myself a couple of
> > times when I felt close to passing out because of the heat, etc. in the cab.
> >
> > The only easy solution is to fit airconditioning at least for the crew
> > compartments. But it's taken many years to convince management that drivers
> > passing out (or getting close to it) because of overheated cabs is a serious
> > problem, esp. with many new staff who may not have any experience working in
> > an environment with elevated temperatures, direct sun exposure, etc. for
> > long periods of time.
> >
> > It's even worse when the sun is coming directly at the front of the train,
> > since there's no way to avoid being overheated very quickly. And we do not
> > have access to free *bottles* of chilled water - only those silly water
> > coolers which take forever to fill your refilled-over-500-times (!) spring
> > water bottle..
> >
> > There should be a water bottle machine at every location where trains
> > terminate that is reserved exclusively for operations staff so on hot days
> > where dehydration and heat exposure can be severe health risks, it's easy to
> > quickly grab a supply of cool bottled water to minimise delays when changing
> > ends, etc. Coupled with a recycling program for the plastic bottles, I think
> > the scheme would have a lot of merit.
> >
> > I never get onto a train without my water bottle being filled, and if it
> > means a delay while I find a water cooler to get chilled water from, to hell
> > with it. Unless I can guarantee myself a supply of fresh, cool water at all
> > times when most of the time I can't get any water if I don't have the bottle
> > with me, delays due to sourcing chilled water become irrelevant.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Craig.
> > --
> >             Craig Ian Dewick            |       Stand clear - jaws closing
> >  Send email to craigd@lios.apana.org.au |  Visit my Australian rail transport
> >    Professional Train Driver, Cityrail  |      and rail modelling web site:
> >        and HO scale rail modeller       |   http://lios.apana.org.au/~craigd