Re: Glenbrook - Vandalised Phone

["Rod Gayford" <rjaygee@smartchat.net.au>]

I am not suggesting this is a solution to the problem but it seems somewhat
ironic to me that a couple of the Sydney radio stations can afford to have
helicopters up every morning reporting on traffic conditions yet City Rail
cannot implement a system that allows them to know the exact position of
each commuter train. It could be that City Rail is being asked to look after
too big a territory since my memory is that the commuter trains that ran
outside of the Metropolitan area were run as part of the country passenger
network in the days when Gosford, Katoomba etc were semi rural. The
signalling system has not changed a lot in many cases since the old NSWGR
days. More money needs to be spent to upgrade the system.  I am wondering
how many passengers on last Thursday's train are considering taking legal
action against City Rail for the harm caused to them by the negligence of
City Rail.
Cheers
Rod Gayford
"James Robinson" <NOSPAM@ERIE.NET> wrote in message
384DBDB0.5E33172A@ERIE.NET">news:384DBDB0.5E33172A@ERIE.NET...
> Richard Wardle wrote:
> >
> > James Robinson <NOSPAM@ERIE.NET> wrote in message
> > >
> > > Radios are used successfully in other places in the world for the
> > > issuance of such operating authorities.  The security issue is usually
> > > handled by requiring the use of a strict set of procedures and tight
> > > phraseology.  The security of the transmissions is not typically an
> > > issue.
> >
> > I cannot comment on the use of radios from elsewhere in the world. The
only
> > question I have concerning that is are they a SECURE channel. Secure is
used
> > only by train crews and the signaller. The current hand held system here
is
> > also used by shunters, guards and station staff.
>
> It depends on how busy the territory is.  In areas with many trains, and
> therefore much chatter on the radio, a separate radio frequency is
> usually provided for the despatcher's exclusive use.  Another frequency
> would be used exclusively for general train operations, and yet other
> frequencies for perway forces, and so on.
>
> Where rail traffic is lighter, then a frequency might be reserved for
> train operations only, which would include train safeworking.  Shunters
> would share the frequency, but other railway departments would be on
> their own using separate frequencies.  In this case, proper voice
> procedures are critical to ensure the instructions are clear, and that
> the proper train acts on them.
>
> On lines with very light traffic, say two or three trains a day, a
> single frequency might be used for everything.  Again, tight procedures
> ensure a safe operation.