Re: Head on in the Western district

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

Further to my posting below, you were right, the points are Annett Locked as
you suggest.

Rumor has it (reliable) that the points were operated by a 3rd party, ie:
Not the crew of the ballast.

If this is so, it must surely add to the concerns of bringing in private
contractors into a rail safeworking enviroment. Then again we are told its a
brave new world by the promotors of privatisation aren't we!!! It just
happens that the crews are the ones who have to show the bravery not the
shareholders.

I guess we will know the full details later today.

Regards,

Bob.

Exnarc <gwrly@netspace.net.au> wrote in message
81rd4q$295v$1@otis.netspace.net.au">news:81rd4q$295v$1@otis.netspace.net.au...
> You may be right about the annett key, having worked for NRC we never
> shunted at Ararat, however ASW rules make no provision for Annett locks
> whilst Master Keys are covered in ASW rules.
>
> I'll make enquiries tomorrow.
>
> Regards,
>
> Bob.
>
> Notagunzel <notagunzel@my-deja.com> wrote in message
> 81qbru$3qr$1@nnrp1.deja.com">news:81qbru$3qr$1@nnrp1.deja.com...
> > In article <81puc2$20pb$1@otis.netspace.net.au>,
> >   "Exnarc" <gwrly@netspace.net.au> wrote:
> >
> > > 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.
> >
> > Last I knew, and I'm open to corrections, Ararat had Annett Locks at
> > each end.  IIRC an A pattern at the Up end and a B pattern at the Down
> > end.  The relevent key was kept in a locked box adjacent to the box
> > (V5PSW)
> >
> > It's actually worse than when the SG was first reopened.  At least then
> > they had staff locks on the points, and the Maryborough staff was
> > specially hacked so as not to open the main line points.  At some time
> > the Staff Locks were replaced with Annett Locks.  Initially there was A
> > pattern at each end, but later the down (?) end got a B pattern lock.
> >
> > Its actually all very mickey mouse.
> >
> > > 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.
> >
> > Staff (no ticket?) to M'borough.
> >
> > > 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.
> >
> > Shades of Zanthus.  From what I've seen, I am lead to beleive, for
> > whatever reason, the Annett Locked points at the down end were left
> > reverse after shunting.
> >
> > Will the enquiry result in anything improving? I doubt it.
> >
> > P.S. as im currently using deja.com (in Qld) I hope this posts
> > properly. :-)
> >
> > Notagunzel
> >
> >
> > Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> > Before you buy.
>
>