Re: Crossing loop design (r.e. Southern Aurora crash)

[krel4203@netconnect.com.au (Krel )]

>>Well, that seems to make sense then. The original question was "Why is there
>>an extra signal 2 km down the track in SA but not Vic. Obviously, the Vic
>>Rules and Regs permit a train to resume normal speed once clear of the
>>points whereas in SA, you must remain at medium speed until the next signal
>>is passed. Hence the need for an extra signal in SA. Vic's idea is cheaper
>>but is it safe?
>
>Just to add a bit more anomaly , in certain locations only in NSW CTC , you 
>also get this arrangement , ie an additional home signal located 1 - 2 Kms 
>after the loop departure homes , but not everywhere.
>
Terminology - the straight track at a crossing loop is the "Main
line"; the loop track is the "Loop"; The last signal you see at a
station (the one that starts you into the section) is the Starter
(more correctly home/starter but never referrred to as such.).

>A couple of examples are 
>Culcairn , has an additional down home about 1 km after the loop homes , but 
>not in the up direction.
>Henty has an additional up home about 1 km after the loop homes , but not in 
>the down direction.

At the down end of Culcairn there is a home/starter near the creek
bridge and the signals that are at the end of the loop are homes;
there is also an outer home for up trains.
A similar arrangement applies at the Up end of Henty (also Up end of
The Rock).
These two (Culcairn & Henty) are so that you can shunt without
entering the next section. Both are/were branch junctions. Because
each extra signal has a 'mate' for the other direction this has the
effect of shortening the  section - Culcairn-Gerogery is 19km, most
others are 16km so this evens things up a bit; Henty-Yerong Creek does
not have any autos in it (Deep South CTCs dumbest move) so the extra
signals at Henty shortens this one, too.

>Uranquinty has a home in the middle of the no 1 road in the loop in  the down 
>direction but not the up .
>
This is purely to keep company with the down home in the loop which
protects the Kywong branch junction. 

>On the Nth Coast approaching Boambee Beach Loop on the up a train passes 1 
>distant, 1 outer home (3 pos) , arrival home (2 pos) , thence as you would 
>normally expect.
>On the down you get normal departure homes at the loop (2 pos) , you then get 
>an additional home (2 pos) about 1 km out , ie like Henty and Culcairn.
>
Not sure about this but isn't a passenger platform between the loop
and these extra signals? If so, it would avoid a pass train holding
upthe section whilst serving the platform (like Ararat).

Cheers

Krel

Just another eccentric crank.