Re: New Paint Job on NR Class
Terry Burton (telljb@ozemail.com.au)
Sun, 12 Oct 1997 12:52:50 GMT
"Paul Pickford" <boss@iinet.net.au> wrote:
>We're told they exceed American safety cab standard, or something like
>that. On the chassis, before the cab is fitted, there are 2 really big
>stanchion things built into the front. They are about 3' high, and pretty
>heavy looking. We're told that the safest place is directly behind them, on
>the floor.
>The lips/bumps/grooves/whatevers on the front of the beam are supposed to
>stop trucks etc slipping up to above cab floor level when they're hit.
>I've seen locos with a toilet or whatever in front of the cab after a
>collision. Generally the collision tears this section off, so it's not of
>any protection value in a big hit.
>Thanks
>Paul...
Hi Paul
Well I suppose it might be more psychological to have
something out in front, other than a dash and windscreen.
I recall that terrible high speed collision of the Ghan with
a Low Loader carrying a very large excavator on a dirt level
crossing near Marla in the far North of South Australia back
in 1986. GM29 was written off, the nose and cab severely
damaged, apparently one engineman stayed low on the cab
floor and his offsider jumped back into the engine room just
before impact, they were a tad shaken and bruised but
otherwise OK.
No injuries occurred to passengers except for a "shake up".
The Low Loader was torn to bits and the excavator tossed
aside like a child’s toy.
----Tell
Alice Springs NT