Re: Train Accident in Blue Mountains

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

Bill Bolton wrote in message <0phs4sg52086l59v43a1qlpfee5icp6p7m@4ax.com>...
>"Richard Wardle" <ricdeb@mpx.com.au> wrote:
>
>> If there was a signal failure I would guess that the crew of the IP would
>> start their train in the manner that I have stated.
>
>So what?
>
>The press reports say the IP locos had just started to move, so there
>would have been a little slack at the front of the train only, the
>rest would still have been bunched on the grade.
>
>Cheers,
>
>Bill


When starting the IP on a downhill grade in the mountains, the independent
brake (loco brake) is not fully released, to keep the entire consist bunched
until dynamic braking is started. This is to maximise passenger comfort, as
there is a fair amount of slack in the IP consist.

Regards,
Russell..