Re: [Whole of this NG] Bill McNiven's [NSW] CityRail predictions

["Gnome 412" <gnome412@hotmail.com>]

I saw the crosstalk about binary postings.  The advice to "cut and paste"
has produced an interesting character set.  Maybe "Save As" "Text Only" is
the way to get stuff out of Micro$oft Word into a news group.

The original posting may have been amusing, but none of the predictions have
come true so far!

JANUARY
1. Train services after New Year's Eve celebrations run successfully.
Particularly pleasing is the patience shown by the 200,000 passengers who
queue outside Circular Quay station from 00:30 to 01:15 while 17 "Ghost
Trains" rumble overhead.
 W R O N G!  He admitted this!  There were no sgnificant queues at Circular
Quay!

2. At 11:00 AEDT on 1 January, barrier indicators at Town Hall commence to
show expected departures for March 1932. At about 11:15, there are problems
at ticket barriers with tickets expired on 01/01/1900. Transport Minister
unavailable for comment. Premier's office attacks media for "Y2K
scare-mongering".
 W R O N G!  Didn't happen!

3. 'T' set skids through catch points at "Sydney Electric" platform 22. Rail
Unions attack SRA over lack of training for crews, call for Royal Commission
into Rail Safety (and job preservation). John Laws says a truck driver
wouldn't have done it. aus.rail debates whether truck drivers should have
catch points.
 W R O N G!  It was a 'K' set at Waverton! No reports of John Laws'
comments!

4. SRA spokesman denies reports of Y2K bugs in new Countrylink booking
system. Admits that automatic barriers at stations have some "teething
problems".
 W R O N G!  Nothing like this happened!

5. Child wanders onto track at level crossing near Yennora and is,
regrettably, killed by a passing train. SRA immediately announces that
CityRail has no faulty fences. Transport Minister reveals that CityRail has
no fences and promises full and wide-ranging enquiry into RAC's fences.
 W R O N G!  Nothing like this happened (yet!).

FEBRUARY
6. FreightCorp enjoying a record wheat harvest. Several ex-NSWGR diesels
hired back from museums for three months. Announces that, since customer
service is paramount, the business will expand to include road and possibly
shipping operations since its rail services are "flat out".
 W R O N G!  LVR is not hiring out its diesels, it's running its own trains!
FA is hiring GMs from GNRS to run traditional NSWGR wheat trains!
Freightcorpse is storing 80 and 86 class that it doesn't need!

7. Daily Terrorgraph reports that CityRail passengers no longer bother to
buy tickets. SRA spokesman denies this, but admits computer reports of
ticket sales have been delayed.
 W R O N G!  Daily Terrorgraph concentrated on dirty trains, late running
and car shortage.

8. Transport Minister announces creation of new Rail Fencing Authority,
appoints former MP as chairman. "A new and positive initiative which is part
of our full commitment to Rail Safety". All CityRail sites will be
surrounded with razor wire to stop children straying.
 W R O N G!  Transport Minister (and Premier) concentrated on Daily
Terrorgraph's dirty trains, late running and car shortage.

9. RAC / RSA plan Easter shutdowns to remove redundant crossovers at
Strathfield and re-rail on Cowan Bank. All services to be diverted via
Bankstown or replaced by buses. "Removal of the old crossovers from the
steam days will substantially reduce maintenance costs and enhance rail
safety", a CityRail spokesman added.
 W R O N G!  Easter planning doesn't happen as early as February!

10. Chaos as all underground stations closed without notice at 11:00 AEDT on
Tuesday 29 February. A CityRail spokesman afterwards announces this was an
"Olympics Security Exercise". Minister denies any connection with Y2K.
Opposition Leader calls for full and exhaustive enquiry. Town Hall barrier
indicators removed.
 W R O N G!  The Town Hall barrier indicators (and their 286/386 standalone
computer) were out of service for a few days but not for y2K reasons.

MARCH
11. Energy Minister re-releases government's "Green Power" initiatives
("tilting at windmills"). Daily Terrorgraph runs story based on interviews
with drivers "too frightened to give their names" about under-utilised 86
class locomotives. Transport Minister announces full and wide-ranging
enquiry.
 Still waiting for the Terrorgraph to stir this one up!

12. Premier announces that CityRail travel will be free until Easter,
because of unforseen maintenance difficulties with the ticketing system.
Opposition Transport spokesman says this is unfair to people who don't
travel by train. aus.rail contributors debate this equity issue.
 W R O N G!  The announcement was about a 12% INCREASE!

13. 'K' set passes signal at danger at Wollstonecraft. No damage. No
injuries. TV crew making low-budget drama to be called 'Day of the
Geraniums' films event and it leads the Channel 10 "news". Rail Unions
attack SRA over lack of training for crews. Alan Jones calls for Royal
Commission into Rail Safety. aus.rail posters argue about the set number at
the rear of the train.
 Hasn't happened yet!

14. Sydney - Melbourne XPTs reported booked out from August to October. SRA
says "a good commercial result". New Opposition Leader says government
"denying pensioners access to the 'People's Olympics'". Olympics Minister
promises "Pensioner Buses". ORTA begins buying up ex-Sydney double-deck
buses and planning Wagga - Homebush Bay shuttle of pensioner buses.
 Haven't had a New Opposition Leader yet (stay tuned?).  If the Sydney -
Melbourne XPTs aren't booked out for the Olympics, there's something wrong
with the marketing!