> >that a private freight train leaving Brisbane for Perth would need
> >something
> >like 7 different radios for communications along the way and the crew
> >would
> >be obliged to know some thing like 11 different safe-working systems.
>
> >Someone more knowlegable may wish to expand on this.
>
> The situation re safeworking is even more bizzarre when you take a
detailed
> look at the various systems in use.
> For example the CTC system from Tailem Bend to Wolseley,(In the days of
the
> SAR,its now Keswick to Wolseley.) and the System from Wolseley to
Pyreenees
> Loop in VIC were both installed by the same Company,at approximately the
same
> time.
> The signals , the interlocking equipment are all the same , the signals
> display the same aspects,but the systems have a widely differant set of
rules
> as to how each system works and as a result a driver running from melb to
> Adelaide has to be qualified in both types of CTC.
> Even within the one state, eg Victoria , the CTC system in use on the Nth
east
> Std guage line is totally differant to the Western line and has again a
> totally differant set of rules etc.
> At least in NSW the SRA installed the same types of CTC on the Nth Coast
Line
> as it did on the Main South and the Werris Creek line.
>
These three systems are not exactly the same in day to day operation. Berth
circuits, distant signal indications,etc can vary. It always pays to have
local knowledge.
> Its almost as if each system is deliberately trying to make things as
hard as
> possible for the running of interstate trains,throout each State.
> Im not in the slightest bit surprised that the federal pollies have got
no
> time at all for Rail in this country, with State attitudes like this.
>
Train orders vary also from state to state - non existant in NSW, yet. In
Victoria orders taken in duplicate, train must be stationary and is a stand
alone safeworking system. In AN country taken on the run, one copy only and
can overlay other safeworking systems - Got a CTC signal failure, no
problems just suspend CTC and issue a train order. It keeps trains rolling.
> cheers
> MD
>
Cheers Krel