Re: NSWGR Timber Trestles

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

In article <37778fed.0@iridium.webone.com.au> "Derick Wuen" <cullend@webone.com.au> writes:
>From: "Derick Wuen" <cullend@webone.com.au>
>Subject: Re: NSWGR Timber Trestles
>Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 01:15:52 +1000


>Krel wrote in message <3771edf5.896254@news.netconnect.com.au>...
>>On Wed, 23 Jun 1999 22:42:36 +1000, The Morphetts
>><grahamm@onthenet.com.au> wrote:
>>
>>>You're out trainchasing and you decide to walk through a tunnel so you can
>get
>>>in place for your next shot - but the train is closer than you calculated
>and
>>>before you know it, you have a raging 38 behind you entering the tunnel at
>+/-
>>>70MPH. You can't get to one of the workman's safety thinggies in time and
>the
>>>tunnel is quite narrow - there's a good chance you'll be hit by the train
>if
>>>you stand against the wall. Having prayed, how do you save yourself?
>>>
>>Not only would you have a raging 38 behind you; you would also have a
>>raging train crew.
>>You lay down as close to the tunnel wall as you can and hope that you
>>survive long enough to write a letter to the train crew apologising
>>for scaring the daylights out of them. Not only are you tresspassing
>>but you must have left your brain at the mouth of the tunnel. No one
>>except a rail employee in the execution of their duties has any right
>>to walk through a tunnel on an operating railway. This would rank as a
>>super-dumb idea.
>>
>>
>>
>>Cheers
>>
>>Krel
>>
>>Steamfreight 99 at Victorian Goldfields Railway - July 17-18 1999.
>>
>>VGR website http://www.castlemaine.net.au/~vgr/
>>
>>Waxy Wary Zany Zebu

>Agree with your sentiments, but its doubtful that the crew on a 38 going at
>any pace in a single track tunnel would see the idiot. In my experience most
>crews on locos not equipped with respirators will prepare for the onslaught
>before entering tunnel thusly....

>. blower on
>. firebox door closed
>. ease off on steam as much as grade and timetable allow
>. turn on turbo and cab lights
>. roll down sleeves, turn up collar
>. dip sweatrag in washbucket and place over nose and mouth
>. huddle in centre of cab and as close to rear of firebox as possible
>. driver holds sand valve in case dampness in tunnel induces slip
>. blow whistle before entering tunnel

>The cab will fill with steam and smoke. You will not be able to see
>anything. It will be unbearably hot. Danger is scalding by steam.
>Self-preservation is main aim. Fool in tunnel will not be seen or even
>looked for.

As one who has been through tunnels on a steam loco, thats about right on the 
mark.

Dave Malcolm