Re: 2 Guards in Sydney?

[Anita Lukaszyk <neety@iprimus.com.au>]

Brendan wrote:

> > On 8 car blue mountians trains there are two guards because most of the
> > platforms are on sharp curves, half of the train can't be seen from the
> > other end

There is only one guard on the interurban trains. The second person is
called a 'repeater'. Basically that is a Station Assistant with extra
qualifications who lets the guard know (by a whistle) that the platform
is clear, and it is safe to proceed. They are on Blue Mountains services
with 6 or 8 cars, because most of the platforms are short or very
curved.

> Although not entirely related, during peak times there are also a number of
> station guards. I have seen up to 4 station guards at Central station, all
> of whom would have go give the train guard a clear signal before the guard
> in turn could close the doors.

Once again, they are Station Assistants. The two people at the ends of
the platform give the middle person a white flag to show that it is safe
for the train to proceed. Once those two flags are received, the middle
person ('right of way') gives the Guard a white flag. The doors are then
closed.

-- 
Anita Lukaszyk
neety@iprimus.com.au
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~neety