Re: Xplorer collision

[nicholas.griffin@australia.ncr.com]

In article <01bd093a$19a2e160$0d4a23cb@daproc>,
  "David Proctor" <daproc@bigfoot.com> wrote:
>
>
> Maurie Daly <mauried@commslab.gov.au> wrote in article
> <mauried.401.3494EA5A@commslab.gov.au>...
> > In article <3493BCDE.70549CB7@klever.net.au> Eben Levy
> <ebenlevy@klever.net.au> writes:
> > >From: Eben Levy <ebenlevy@klever.net.au>
> > >Subject: Re: Xplorer collision
> > >Date: Sun, 14 Dec 1997 22:02:54 +1100
> >
> > >It is not always economical to have anything other then a level
> crossing.
> >
> > >Plus it is not always possible to put an under/over pass in, due to lack
> off
> > >space.
> >
> > Rubbish, its all a matter of policy
>
> and cost!
>
> > Have a look at the Sydney suburban rail network and count the number of
> level
> > crossings,then compare it with Melbournes Suburban Rail Network.
>
> While it is true that there are a large number of level crossing in
> Melbourne, you are comparing apples and oranges here - the Xplorer
> collision occurred in a country region, where there are a large number of
> level crossings - the cost of providing bridges and underpasses is
> unjustifiable on lines with the limited traffic of most of our branch
> lines.
>
> > Sydney has next to none, Melb has heaps.
>
> I agree with you here - it is totally inexcusable that funds have not been
> forthcoming to eliminate most of these crossings in Melbourne.
>
> > There are numerous examples of where enormous effort has gone into
> eliminating
> > level crossings,some of which are totally absurd.
> > A good example is Springhurst Station where the SG line travels on a
> > specially built overbridge simply to avoid a level crossing for the road
> into
> > the station.
> > Wangaratta is another example of where the SG line deliberately runs on a
>
> > differant level than the BG lines so a level crossing into the station is
>
> > avoided.
> > The main southern line from Goulburn to Cootamundra has stuff all level
> > crossings,but lots of bridges and underpasses.
>
> You are forgetting that the line from Goulburn to Cootamundra is fairly
> undulating, and it is therefore possible to take advantage of the terrain
> to significantly reduce the cost of providing these overbridges and
> underpasses - compare this section with the Wagga Wagga to Albury section!
>



It must be remembered that in or around 1985, the NSW state government
issued a decree that there would be no unprotected level crossing on the
Sydney Melbourne line. As such half a dozen level crossings were closed
around Penrose and a Bridge installed south of the station. Also other
main crossings that were required had level crossing lights installed.
Hence the need for unprotected level crossing is an economic copout. The
precident has been set. Why does the governemnt/rail access corporation
continue to ignore its due of care in having lots of unprotect level
crossings in the north west of the state where there have been at least 3
major level crossing acidents in 1997.

Nick Griffin

nicholas.griffin@austrlia.ncr.com


> > Its simply a matter of common sense.
> > Level crossings are simply an economic copout.
> >
> > MD
> >
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------
> > Maurie Daly
> > Department of Communications Lab.
> > Canberra
> > Australia
> > mauried@commslab.gov.au
> > ph 6 2791331
> > --------------------------------------------------
> >
>
> David Proctor
> daproc@bigfoot.com
>
> Thought for the day: Who is General Error, and why is he reading my hard
> drive?
>
>

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