Re: XPT speeds VIC [was Fast Link Sydnet To Gosford]

[Rod Young <berlina@bigpond.com>]

John Cleverdon wrote:

> David Bromage wrote:
>
> > PETer and susAN (petanREMOVE@ion.com.au) wrote:
> > > Can anyone tell me what speed the XPT does in VIC.
> >
> > It's allowed 130km/h on any track where a locomotive hauled passenger
> > train is allowed 115km/h, subject to local restrictions (i.e. curves). The
> > same applies to the Sprinters on broad gauge.
>
> But that doesn't always mean that the Sprinters are *limited* to 130....
> I've been in one Sprinter doing 135km/h around Rockbank, and another doing
> around 140km/h at Chewton.
> In the former, the driver said that at that time (early '94), he held the
> record for Sprinters, which was 152km/h.
> (In both cases, I was sitting up the front, in the "obersver's" seat, looking
> across at the speedo).

The record for Sprinters was set on the Geelong track under training and testing
conditions, and only after all relevant level crossings were reset so as to
ensure the crossings were protected. I think that 152 kph was pretty close to the
top speed
and as I said it was under testing, with lots of instruments connected and
observers on board.
If you were sitting in the observers seat, you would have been looking through
two  pieces of glass, one about 3/4" thick and heavily tinted, and as the small
3" diameter speedo is on the dash, you would not be able to see it!
I can assure you that the electronic speed recorder would prevent any driver from
thinking he could get away with speeding.....he would be caught!!  I know because
I had to front an inquiry and show cause why I should not be dismissed
after letting a Sprinter roll to 145 kph approaching Euroa, and only for a few
seconds, immediately followed by a heavy  brake reduction which slowed us down to
100kph. I got off only because it could be seen that I reduced the speed quickly,
and was treated as accidendental, and not deliberate..
I can assure you Sprinters are limited to track speed, and a max speed of 130
kph.
I think you are  romancing a tale, or at least the driver was pulling your leg.
Rod ;o)



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