Re: Outcomes of the Hines Hill crash.
Krel (krel4203@netconnect.com.au)
11 Jun 97 01:38:36 GMT
Maurie Daly <mauried@commslab.gov.au> wrote in article
<mauried.270.339D2DA3@commslab.gov.au>...
> In article <01bc755d$e2fa6400$d2d13fcb@krel4203.semex.net.au> "Krel"
<krel4203@netconnect.com.au> writes:
> >From: "Krel" <krel4203@netconnect.com.au>
> >Subject: Re: Outcomes of the Hines Hill crash.
> >Date: 10 Jun 97 05:42:09 GMT
>
>
> .
> >Running crosses on ASW territory? That must be some sort of sick joke. A
> >normal cross on the Cressy Plains takes 7 to 10 minutes. The train
taking
> >the loop runs onto the track circuit 3 kms from the facing points and
> >starts a 5 minute rundown. When the time has expired a crew member has
to
> >get off the locomotive insert a key in a key switch and operate the
switch
> >to restore the main line signal to stop (it has shown a green light for
the
> >last 5 minutes.). If the points motor over and the loop signal clears
then
> >the train can draw forward into the loop stopping at the F board at the
> >other end. As soon as the rear of the train is in clear of the main line
it
> >kicks off an automatic message "Vite Vite Loop Up end clear". After this
> >has repeated itself and you have checked the ETAS unit to confirm that
you
> >still have air at the rear of the train you can relinquished your
authority
> >to occupy the previous section. This then travels through cyberspace to
> >Transport House in Melbourne where the train controller then sends a
next
> >authority to the train that is to pass through on the main. Only when he
> >has received and acknowledged his next authority can the through train
pass
> >the F board at the departure end of the loop.
>
> >Welcome to the modern up to date interstate main line!! Oh and don't
forget
> >the 44 km long speed restriction to 50 km/h from Pura Pura to Maroona.
And
> >they wonder why we can't compete with road transport.
>
>
> >--
> >Cheers Krel
>
>
> Thanks for this, I must admit that I have never been able to understand
the
> logic of the whole ASW system , unless it is an exercise in who can come
up
> with the most bizzarre safeworking ever invented.
> I wonder whether it complies with AS4292.4 and what would happen if there
was
> a prang .
> I cant understand why a simple track cct based CTC system wasnt used.
> The argument would no doubt be that track circuiting the whole plains
line
> would be too expensive,and maybe it would,but the PTC could have used an
axle
> counting system like the SRA does between Moss Vale and Unanderra.
> No track ccts , all the benefits of real CTC excepting follow ons ,(you
can
> have these too with the addition of 1 extra counter at the half way point
of
> the single line section.
> No need for etas or proprietary Motorola radios in every loco,(I use
> syntrexes for paper weights),but no doubt since it was first used by the
SRA
> theres no way it could be used in Victoria.Sorry for the cynicism but
seeing
> railways going backwards every day makes one somewhat sad.
>
> cheers
> MD
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> Maurie Daly
> Department of Communications Lab.
> Canberra
> Australia
> mauried@commslab.gov.au
> ph 6 2791331
> --------------------------------------------------
>
Currently on ASW there are no distant signals so even if you are not
crossing anything and have an authority for the next section you have to
slow down in a fog just in case the main line home signal does not clear.
This, of course, wastes brakes, fuel, time and increases track occupation
time.
Most drivers that I have spoken to who work over the plains would have
preferred CTC. It seems that the problem was not so much the cost of
installing CTC but the cost of maintaining it. CTC with axle counters would
reduce this cost tremendously.
Train Orders is considered safe enough for other main lines in Australia so
I don't know why it wouldn't have worked across the plains. Train orders
with DICE would be heaven. (DICE is driver initiated control of equipment -
basically radio controlled, self restoring points). DICE has been installed
at Gheringhap and seems to work well except that it still imposes a 5
minute rundown to take the loop (a little bit of overkill, methinks). I'm
talking about real train orders not NSW version or ASW (Alternative to
SafeWorking). Track Warrant Control is another option.
--
Cheers Krel
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguisable from magic" -
Clarke's Law