Re: 5 Dead in XPT accident

[Hunslet <hunslet@cia.com.au>]

Taliesin Walker wrote:

> If this section is dangerous,why hasn't the level crossings been
> fitted with gates?

Two reasons ...

Cars drive around them;
Trucks drive through them.

Apart from the actual warning of flashing red lights, at which vehicle
drivers MUST stop, there are numerous warning signs approaching the level
crossing.   The crossing was designed with with two 90 degree sharp curves
to force motorist to slow down.

According to Monday's Sydney Morning Herald,  passengers on the train
stated that the vehicle concerned was going faster than the XPT (ie,
faster than 130km/h) apparently attempting to beat the train to the
crossing.

As an aside, I was down at the Sydney Tramway Museum at Loftus on the
Australia Day holiday and rode a tram trip to National Park.    The tram
line crosses the Princes  Highway on the level, being protected by
flashing lights.   The tram actually comes to a complete stand before
crossing the Highway, because of the number of motorists who will not
comply with the flashing lights requirement.   On this particular
occasion, possibly three or four cars sped through, a good ten seconds
after the lights had started flashing.   A "speed camera" connected to the
flashing lights would provide some welcome "donations".   The same could
be done at Bomen and Gerogery.

Hunslet.