Austrac Crew Training

["Robert Parnell" <rparnell@netspace.net.au>]

Yesterday (27/1/98) Austrac's 4814 + 1 flat wagon travelled to Cowra for
crew training. This train cautiously crossed the Brougham St level crossing
and paused at the platform to pick up the keys to unlock the frames to run
around. A 4WD hit the emergency brakes at the same crossing on the run back
towards Harden. The crew stopped for lunch and a quick inspection of the
LVR depot. This is the second trip for Austrac to Cowra for crew training,
last time with 5 flat wagons (empty). 

Something else, what is so difficult to understand about a "STOP" sign at a
level crossing? I bet that if it was a road intersection the cars would ALL
stop. But why is a level crossing so different? I know trains run
infrequently, but they do run and there are stop signs at some level
crossings, and crazy "GIVE WAY" signs at the 2 new level crossings near
Cowra. (one replaced an old road bridge). Give way signs are asking for
trouble - you don't have to stop for these.I'd like a dollar for every
vehicle that ignores the stop signs. One local found out the hard way
nearly 12 months ago - by criving into the side of our CPH railmotors. He
was very, very lucky not to be killed, as the driver's area of the car was
the only part left intact - the rest of the car was crushed/caved in as it
bounced off the railmotors and spun around. The local TV news that night
reported that "historic steam loco 3801 was involved in a collision...."!!
then showed shots of it somewhere. The railmotors should be ready for
Easter this year -repairs almost complete. Just hope we don't have a repeat
of last year.
Robert Parnell
SRA-Railcom Technician, Electronics Enthusiast,
Lachlan Valley Railway member,  NSW HO scale modeller
E-mail:<rparnell@netspace.net.au>