Re: [General] Rules & Regulations under privatization

["Ronald BESDANSKY" <ronbest@bigpond.com>]

"Maurie Daly" <mauried@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
3a6e471c.21914058@can-news.tpg.com.au">news:3a6e471c.21914058@can-news.tpg.com.au...
> On Wed, 24 Jan 2001 12:14:24 +1100, "Ronald BESDANSKY"
> <ronbest@bigpond.com> wrote:
>
> Large snip.....

> When we had the Commissioners for Railways there were no such things
> as Rail Safety Acts ,indeed I dont beleive there was any legislation
> which allowed for the regulation of the Railways.
>
I have a copy of the Book of Rules and Regulations of the Public Transport
Commission of NSW, Rail Division. It is given legal force by virtue of
by-law number 1267 made under the Government railways Act, 1912. It would
appear that, at least in those days, an employee failing to comply with a
Rule or Regulation could be charged with an offence (as you can as a car
driver exceeding the speed limit). However, as the offence would be only
against a by-law and not against an Act as such, it would not be a CRIMINAL
offence. There were/are, of course, specific provisions in the Govt railways
Act covering offences such as attempting to derail a train etc. If the
intention was to kill or injure someone, the penalty was penal servitude for
life.

Rgds

Ron Besdansky
(Computer system project manager and rail enthusiast)
Ph: +61 (0)2 9413 1136 (0900h - 2300h UT +11h) (Home)
      +61 (0)417 671 541 (0900h - 2300h UT +11 h) (Mobile)