Re: Head on in the Western district

["Exnarc" <gwrly@netspace.net.au>]

Reece,

The present system of securing the points at Ararat yard is purely Victorian
Railways, ARTC inherited if from the PTC. The points in question are locked
by Master Key and are operated under "Victorian" Section Authority System
Rules.

If ARTC had introduced SA operating proceedures into Ararat, all they would
have provided would be: A Switch Stand and a padlock, locked with a standard
AN "S" lock.

The interesting thing about Ararat is that the area involves the
co-operation of 3 Train Control Boards operated by 2 Train Control
Companies. (ARTC CTC Wolseley to Pyrenees Loop, ARTC ASW from Pyrenees Loop
to Newport, and Freight Victorian Train Control on the M'borough line into
Ararat Yard, "Train Orders or Train Staff" (not sure of the current
authority on this section). So as you see ARTC don't control the whole area.

What actually happened at Ararat I'll leave to Workcover and the ARTC and
Freight Victoria Boards of Enquiry, but as you pointed out, on the surface
it appears as though someperson (at this stage unknown) operated the Master
Key locked points.

Bob.
Reece Isaac <throttle@alphalink.com.au> wrote in message
383F538D.7238E46D@alphalink.com.au">news:383F538D.7238E46D@alphalink.com.au...
> David Bromage wrote:
> >
> > Brian Evans (IOM) (bevans@omni.com.au) wrote:
> > > This mornings radio news bulletin suggests it is near Ararat
> >
> > It's apparetly IN Ararat. A block grain and a ballast train.
> It was in Ararat and it was reminisant of that bad one some years ago
> when the fireman was killed.
> Someone has open the points and the wheaty has come down the hill and
> hit the ballast train.  Word is the there are bullets standing on end,
> ontop of a G  and another bent like a pretzel and the fans from one of
> the Gs is embedded in the ground somewhere.  Was this an act of
> vandalism?  I so pissed off at the attitude of ARTC.  If they had done
> the right thing those points would have had a more secure system of
> locking than what was recently instituted.  I hate their "this is how we
> do it is S.A." attitude and I hope that if this is shown to be due to
> their decisions they are made to pay and and how!!!
> Reece