Re: Indian Pacific Crash

["Exnarc" <gwrly@netspace.net.au>]

Maurie Daly <mauried@commslab.gov.au> wrote in message
mauried.417.37CB50BC@commslab.gov.au">news:mauried.417.37CB50BC@commslab.gov.au...
> In article <7qfcbv$2ktn$1@otis.netspace.net.au> "Exnarc"
<gwrly@netspace.net.au> writes:
> >From: "Exnarc" <gwrly@netspace.net.au>
> >Subject: Indian Pacific Crash
> >Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 11:53:13 +1000
>
> >Source has reported that IP prang was caused by crew member on ground
> >opening switch in path of IP, diverting it onto the goods.
>
> >Route was set correctly but he was standing alongside the switch stand
and
> >read the wrong face, in a panic without looking at the blades he though
the
> >points.
>
> >Bob.
>
>
> This tends to suggest that the loop points are still manually controlled ,
ie
> a manual switch and not power operated as previously indicated.
> Dual control point machines are normally approach locked by an approaching
> train and cant be moved , usually until the timeout period has expired, at
> least thats how it normally works.
> Odd though that the crew member was anywhere near the points as they would
> have been set correctly in the first place ,and would only have needed
> changing to allow the goods out of the loop.
>
> MD

Don't have anymore info Maurie,

Just got that from a normally reliable source over there.

Don't know the location personally, or if the remote control points were
working, but if they weren't, there would have to be a way of manual
operation. ie: DCPM.

Switch Stands, aren't all mainline points on the TAR fitted with them?

 As for the crew member being at the points, the old rules for CR T.O.
working required that a member of the other crew admit the second train to
the cross by showing a green flag or light from the points, not sure how
they do it, now that radio has become the main form of safeworking in TO
Territory.

Bob.