Re: Train Accident in Blue Mountains

[John MacCallum <engineman@ozemail.com.au>]

Russell Norton wrote:
> 
> 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.

Do not NR's reduce Dynamic Braking to a level similar to set up
if Brake Cylinder pressure is detected?

On an 81 class and other GM units this is the case so that it removes
the possibility of skidding the wheels due to the combined Dynamic 
Brake retardation and Brake Cylinder Pressure induced Retardation.

It would therefore be a pointless excercise as when you finally did
release the Independent Brake the Loco's would run away from the train
thus defeating the Purpose of the exercise. Is it not better to 
stop on the Automatic but bunch the train up using Dyno and then just 
before stopping applying the Independent to keep the Train bunched
as the Dynamic looses effect. Then when it is time to move off release
the auto and then after a delay of a few seconds the Independent so
that the train moves off bunched up. Then when selecting Dyno again
there is almost no noticeable Train shock.