Re: Ghan derailment.

["Royce Columbine" <emmc@bigpond.com>]

Going to be a few angry passengers when they get to Alice Springs and don't
have their cars......

Kym

Exnarc wrote in message <84ebdr$qfj$1@otis.netspace.net.au>...
>The loco for the ghan NR 80 derailed last night at Spencer Street whilst
>picking up the Motorail cars.
>
>Whilst pulling the cars out of the Motorail dock to place on the train NR80
>derailed at the slips.
>
>The road was set and the signal was at proceed and whilst moving forward a
>rail broke under the weight of the NR, the offending rail appeared to have
>then been pushed out of gauge due to the rotting condition of the sleepers,
>(installed during 1961 for SG project).
>
>After about 2 hours a replacement loco NR77 was provided.
>
>Due to NR80 sitting on track circuit and catch points, signal fitters had
to
>attend to move points on mainline so that relief loco could be attached to
>train.
>
>Ghan departed about 2 hours late leaving Motorail cars behind.
>
>Interesting point for those that believe that fitters should attend all
>signal failures:
>
>Even with fitters in attendance the Driver for both (UP & DOWN) movements
to
>& From No. 1 Platform had to be issued with a Caution Order to pass the
>"RED" Home signals that protect all the BG cross movements to the yard.
>
>Imagine the passengers having to wait for the problem to be fixed ie:
>Proceed Aspects (not caution orders covered by rules that are proven to be
>safe). The train would probably still be sitting there.
>
>Bob.
>
>