Re: RIP ASW?

[mauried@commslab.gov.au (Maurie Daly)]

In article <7n19ct$an5$1@otis.netspace.net.au> "Exnarc" <gwrly@netspace.net.au> writes:
>From: "Exnarc" <gwrly@netspace.net.au>
>Subject: Re: RIP ASW?
>Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 17:46:00 +1000


>Notagunzel <notagunzel@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
>932382103.78048@newscache.net2000.com.au">news:932382103.78048@newscache.net2000.com.au...
>> SW 1150/99 proclaims that commencing Sunday 25.7.99, Section
>> Authority working between Maroona - Portland and
>> Gheringhap - Yelta is to be abolished & replaced with Train
>> Order Working.
>>
>> Broad Gauge trains will run on Channel 2 between Nth Geelong
>> C and Gheringhap, and Channel 5 Gheringhap to Yelta.
>> Portland  - Maroona will be on Channel 5.
>>
>> Question Time: At the moment, does a Broads Gauge train
>> between Gheringhap & North Geelong C get its Section
>> Authority off the ARTC controller at Mile End, or off the FV
>> controller in Centrol?
>>
>> Also, am I correct in saying FV only has 3 boards operating
>> at the moment:
>> Room 3: Nth Gex C - Yelta, Portland, Melb - Ararat, Pinaroo,
>> Ararat - Castlemaine,  Hopetoun & Yaapeet, Robinvale &
>> Kulwin;
>> Room 5: Warrnambool, Brooklyn (SG)??, Seymour -
>> Shepperton(Tocumwaul?), Strathmerton - Cobram, Benalla -
>> Oaklands;
>> Room 9: Melb to Stony Pt, Sale, Nyora & Piangil, Bgo -
>> Deniliquin
>>
>> (source: SW1125/99)
>>
>> Room 3 was the ARTC ASW board, Room 4 was the FV ASW board,
>> Room 6 was the spare ASW board?
>>
>> Nuf questions :o)
>>
>> P.S. Rumour would have it that the NE CTC goes to Mile End
>> at the end of this month, wonder which Channel & Board for
>> the NE BG?
>>
>> --
>> Mr Notagunzel.
>> Rail Transportation Connoisseur.
>> notagunzel@bigfoot.com
>> (Waiting for the next move at
>> http://www.bigfoot.com/~notagunzel)
>>
>Great News!!!!!!!!!!

>I always said ASW stood for ALTERNATIVE to SAFEWORKING.

>This was (in my opinion) a very (I wouldn't say dangerous) but I would say
>unsatifactory form of train operation. It could be dangerous if one was
>tired and not thinking straight (but then again could any system), but it
>just didn't feel safe.

>Also there were enough instances which put doubt into a Drivers mind as to
>the safety of the system.

>I remember on one occassion I pulled up at Manor Loop on an Up train, I
>relinquished my Authority for the Elders BP to Manor Loop, I received a
>Manor Loop to Galvin BP Authority in the Next Authority Screen, I advanced
>it to the Current Authority Screen by acknowledging it, and commenced to
>depart, then I received another Authority in the Next Authority Screen, I
>commenced to read it before acknowledging it. To my amazement it read
>"Proceed Manor Loop to Galvin BP"

>I had two authorities for the same track section, of cause this can't happen
>like hell, it did, the PTC held an inquiry and whilst I didn't get the full
>explanation but I was told that it was a sequence collision, (whatever that
>is). Kind of destroys your faith in the system a little.

>Regards,

>Bob.



ASW is in reality nothing more than a very expensive form of Train Order 
Working, which IMHO isnt safeworking either , its just Train Control in a very 
limited manner.
One can no doubt argue that TO working is OK on lightly loaded lines where
there are few trains and more importantly few opposing movements.
The Melb to Adelaide line isnt anything like this , its a fairly busy (by Aus 
standards anyway) part of the National Network and unless things change 
dramatically in the near future is the only section of the National Network 
which will actually see any significant growth,especially if AP to Darwin 
is ever built.
The most critical part of this line currently, ie where most crosses occur due 
to the current train patterns is between Ararat & Newport where we need CTC 
with at least 3 to 4 track sections per single line section ,to allow more 
follow ons and overtaking movements ,as well as efficient crosses.
ARTC has $250 M to blow on infrastructure improvements of which some has 
been set aside for crossing loop extensions.
It would cost less than $10 M to convert the existing mess into CTC 
from Totty Loop to Pyrenees Loop including track circuiting the line , 
provision of departure sigs & approach distants ,plus one set of intermediate
autos .
Lets get on with it.

MD