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

["Russell Norton" <russelln@primus.com.au>]

>I cant see why Cowan Bank is unique.
>Any severe grade in NSW where heavy freight trains are hauled by diesel or
>electric locos would also apply.
>If we contend that the problem is sand and AC track ccts , ie we are in
>electrified territory, then also the climb up the blue mtns (1:33) worse
than
>Cowan, or Como bank on the Illawarra would also be candidates.
>If there is no exclusion , ie DC or AC track ccts cause the problem then
there
>are dozens of track cct 1:40 grades where sanding would not be uncommon.
> In relation to the claim that all NSW locos are fitted with de-sanding
>brushes does this also apply to NRs or DLs or indeed any non NSW locos that
>have to operate over these sections of track?
>
>MD


NR's and DL's are fitted with de-sanding equipment, as are ALL diesel locos
that regularly operate in NSW. If you want to run a loco within NSW that
doesn't have de-sanding equipment, you require a rova mech authority, and
the loco must be block worked everywhere. This situation applied to BL's
when they first started working into NSW, prior to de-sanding equipment
being fitted to them.

De-sanding equipment on diesels are not brushes. They consist of an air hose
attached in the vicinity of each sander, and blow main reservoir air onto
the track to remove excess sand. If you are going forward, and start
sanding, the leading sanders will dump sand, and simultaneously the trailing
de-sanders will blow air on the track to remove any build up of excess sand.

Cowan bank is not unique in relation to sanding. Diesels will sand anywhere
& everywhere, and not necessarily on steep banks, especially current models
that automatically sand when their computers think they detect wheel slip.
They will also automatically sand going DOWN a grade, if the dynamic brake
is being used and wheel slippage starts to occur.

The uniqueness of Cowan bank would appear to stem from the fact that,
depending on whom you believe, the integrity of the entire signalling system
on Cowan bank at that time was questionable.

The conspiracy theorists, of which I probably fall into the category, will
say it was a big cover-up. However, that doesn't help the young family of
Gordon Hill (the driver), or the families of the other 5 passengers that
tragically perished. Hopefully the idiot who put the handbrake on still has
nightmares about their big secret.

Russ....