Re: Indian Pacific hits freight train - Who's the Responsible Investigating body?

[David Johnson <trainman@ozemail.com.au>]

Dave Malcolm sticks his head in the sand and writes:

> Hear hear, no one seems to take into account the chances of an entire train of
> somewhere around 42 axles (2 of which are infront of the sand pipes) being
> isolated from the track circuit. I dont care what the inquiry findings were
> logic says it's not going to happen.

This train was re-enacted at Chullora and on the Royal National Park line, and did
drop of the track circuit a number of times.  The two axles in front of the sand
pipes are all well and good... except when the train set back slightly when trying to
lift the load.  Not to mention the residue sand left on the tracks by preceding
freight trains.  If you were not at the accident scene, or you have not read the
report, you are in no position to make "informed" comments.  Sand is a good
insulator.  It WILL make a train drop off the track circuit in older track circuiting
systems under the right circumstances.  To refuse to believe this is foolish.

--
David Johnson
trainman@ozemail.com.au
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~trainman/