Re: New questions for rail experts

[David Johnson <trainman@ozemail.com.au>]

Chris Gordon wrote:

> I think that a train with no trip arm or no second person is not safe.
> I don't think driver only operation of a diesel train is a good idea.
>

Ring CountryLink and tell them you don't think their entire rollingstock fleet
is safe to run.  If it makes you feel any better, the AFULE agreed with you.

>
> I also don't think you should be de-railing trains that have past a red
> signal, that is what overlaps and correct deisgn is ment to protect.
>

Catch points are used where a trip is not enough protection, such as at
converging tracks where sideswipes or headons are possible.  It is preferable to
derail a train than to have a head on collision.

>
> > >  That is why Sydney had so many derailments, and
> > > Melbourne only has SPADS, or the odd crash where a train is doing like
> > > 130 km/h through a red signal and crashed into the back of another train
> > > (Sydney station accident about 10+ years ago).
> >
> > Which accident was that?
>
> Smashed up a Hitachi motor totally bent in half.  I don't know the
> correct detials, but something along the lines of train driver going too
> fast down hill, straight through two red signals, because he was going
> too fast the train stop/trip arm had little effect and ran straight into
> the back of the train sitting in Sydnal Station.  (both trains were
> going in the up direction).

Sydney station, Sydnal Station or Syndal Station?


--
David Johnson
trainman@ozemail.com.au
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~trainman/
------------------------------------
These comments are made in a private
capacity and do not represent the
official view of State Rail.
C.O.W.S. Page 11.