Re: Glenbrook - Vandalised Phone

[keithm@commslab.gov.au (Dave Malcolm)]

In article <82l6mo$84n$1@merki.connect.com.au> "Rod Gayford" <rjaygee@smartchat.net.au> writes:
>From: "Rod Gayford" <rjaygee@smartchat.net.au>
>Subject: Re: Glenbrook - Vandalised Phone
>Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 20:01:46 +1100

City Rail is only an operator, just like Freight  Corp, Countrylink and 
heritage operators like 3801, RTM and ARHS (ACT). The track, signals etc are 
owned and controled by Rail Access.

Dave Malcolm

>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.