Not only did the Beresfield accident cause disruption but mechanical
failures played a big hand in a forgettable weekend.
On Saturday NT 26 worked by 2010 and 2005 departed Grafton 20 mins late due
to the driver being unable to start 2005 due to unit suffering from an
hydraulic lock up. That is water on top the pistons and engine is locked
and unable to turn over. When attempting to start 2010 that unit was found
to have flat batteries, but was eventually able to be started. Maintenance
staff traveled on NT 3 to Gloucester, where they were able to make the
necessary repairs to 2005 and get it going.
On Sunday NT 4 failed on the Hawkesbury River bank and returned to
Hawkesbury River to await repairs. Again Maintenance staff made the
repairs and the train continued empty to Sydney arriving some 4 hours late.
It should be pointed out that despite requests from the driver to North
Control for a clear run through the River to get a bit of a run at the
Bank, he found signals at caution at Hawkesbury River so had no chance of
getting up the Bank. As this set makes NT 1, which departs Sydney at 1624,
it was taken to Meeks Road for fueling and servicing. When the set
returned to Sydney it was found that the train had not been decanted, so
the On Board Crew refused to take the set as they get pretty smelly, the
set was returned to Meeks Road, was decanted, returned to Sydney and
departed some 90 minute late.
Also on Sunday NT 2 worked by 2013 and 2009 suffered an engine shutdown at
Warnervale. 2009 had suffered loss of all water and oil was all over the
outside of the unit. The train continued with 2013. A clear run through
Hawkesbury River was given this time, but the train pulled to a stand
between No 3 and No 2 Tunnels. The traction motors were allowed to cool and
the train continued for approximately 300m before pulling to a stand. It
was
cooled again and eventually arrived at Cowan at 2235 after spending 80
minutes in the section. NT 2 arrived Sydney at 2325 110 minutes late.
Rex