......Tell
Alice Springs NT
>"Rex" <dmayo@ozemail.com.au> wrote:
>The North Coast XPT's were in the horrors on the weekend
>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