Re: New questions for rail experts

[Chris Gordon <cmgord@alphalink.com.au>]

> > A catchpoint would have just derailed the train, down the embankment and
> > still smashed it up.  A catchpoint would not have helped, it may have
> > made it worse.
> 
> Catchpoint are intended to direct the train somewhere *relatively*
> safe, not down an embankment.

I would think somewhere relatively safe would be left on the tracks,
derailing a train is not safe.  Yes there are cases where de-railing a
train is better than a head on, but better design of the signalling and
safeworking should stop the train well before a possible head on.

The system of catchpoints in NSW turns a chance of an accident into a
accident.  


Having catchpoint on a main line is dangerous.  In NSW if a train goes
through a signal at stop at speed, then it will be derailed. 
(regardless of anything else)


Everyone knows what happens when a train is derailed.  Even more so when
it is full of people.


-- 

Chris Gordon

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