Re: More CityRail trouble ....

["Michael Walker" <walker@hotkey.net.au>]

>Even when they used to run 2 car T sets a few years ago, they were
>scrapped due to poor reliability (one compressor or generator, no
>back-up if it fails). As they stand, Tangaras cannot run with fewer
>than 4 cars. S type cars would need 2 motor cars to ensure
>reliability.
>
Doesn't say much for the reliability of your motor cars then. Do trains
often run in service with one or more non-working motors?
Until the end of the run or the end of the day or until someone can be
bothered repairing it?
Does it affect train running times much?

Of interest in Victoria was the Auditor Generals report talking about train
reliability. It stated world's best practice was 100,000km between
breakdowns whereas in Vic it was averaging around 3000-5000km. Given
Hurstbridge is 38km, Belgrave is 42.5km, Lilydale is 39km then Hillbilly
Rail can expect a breakdown on every train about 37-62 return trips. Given a
train can feasibly make between 5 and 10 return trips a day (the first
Lilydale weekday up makes 9 return trips before ending up at Ringwood), this
means a train will break down approximately every 4-7 working days. I doubt
Bayside Rail will be much different, whilst they have more shorter trips,
they also have trains travelling the 58km to Pakenham, 44km to Frankston and
45km to Cranbourne.

How often do Sydney's trains break down, are they closer to 'worlds best
practice' or are they closer to 'Melbourne' practice?