Re: Austrac Crew Training

[Eben Levy <ebenlevy@klever.net.au>]

Robert Parnell wrote:

> 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).

I recently saw/used this one and found that when traveling into Cowra, it is
very difficult to see trains approaching on the right (down trains), this
should be a stop sign not a give way sign.

> 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>