Re: Flat Wheels in Sydney

[Railway Rasputin <bob@fastlink.com.au>]

Rob McKiernan wrote:

> Folks,
> I caught a suburban train from Newtown to the City recently and while
> waiting for the train to arrive I noticed that just about every second
> suburban that went past had a flat wheel and some trains more. The most I
> counted was 4 on a Tangara. Nearly all of the G and V sets that passed were
> ok. The flat wheels were present on all types of suburban stock it seemd.
> Can somebody out there tell me why this is so?. Is it bad driving or some
> other mechanical explanation?. Is there any maintenace program for this type
> of fault?. I have travelled a bit on overseas systems (Rome, Paris, London,
> Washington etc) and it seems to be a uniquely Sydney problem. It's been a
> while since I've travelled in Melbourne but I never heard the problem there.
> Do other cities experience in Australia experience this problem?
>
> Regards,
> Rob

Tangaras mainly get flat wheels from when drivers use the train line park break
to stop the train when they think they will not stop at platforms.
The quality of driver on the suburban system overall has declined. This is not
an attack on Craig or any other driver on this newsgroup. In the past a person
worked his way up through the grades with the help of experience operators. Now
it is possible to be unemployed now and within 2 years be driving a train. The
examiners now days are letting sloppy operators through. This is partley not
their fault and they have to work from directions given from "upstairs" plus if
they fail someone they will probably claim some discrimination or harrasment
bullshit exercise and get on anyway.
One person who comes to mind is "Boss" who has done some pretty amazing things
in his short career as a driver.
The G and V sets are mainly operated by more experienced drivers and don't
suffer as much damage as suburban rolling stock. (Yes I know suburban drivers
drive G's.)
The other suburban trains have flat wheels because hand or park breaks have been
left on, either by the driver, guard or vandal.

Trains who have flats go to DELEC for a work out with the wheel lathe.
(Apparantly Flemo will be getting one, when,  I don't know.)

Hope this helps


rgds