I heard that the QRN 3958 wheat train from Temora would be climbing Como Bank this afternoon, considering it was drizzling at the time, I thought that Jannali might be an interesting place to watch the action. I was not disappointed. They slotted the train in between the 2:25pm (H'ville) Cronulla and the 2:40pm (H'ville) Waterfall service. At about 2:40pm it came into view going at slower  than walking pace, as it passed through the station I walked beside the loco and the speedo was registering 1.6 kmh! It seemed that the front two locos the LZ3103 and LG3122 were working OK but DC2206 (ex 422) was slipping a lot. The train took about 10" just to clear the platform and of course the holdup behind was now getting serious.
I estimate 3958 probably cleared Sutherland around 3:20pm. As I was in no hurry, it was interesting watching how CityRail coped with the problem. Only last year the bi-directional signalling between Oatley and Sutherland was finally commissioned after having been installed at least 4 years earlier. Unfortunately, it took about 30' before the bi-directional operation was put in place. In the meantime the service following 3958 arrived at Jannali and sat there. About 15' later I noticed a green light on the bi-directional signal on the up track and shortly after a Tangara service came through, I don't know whether the people on platform 2 were notified that the next down train would depart from Platform 1, of course the suburban train was still sitting at platform 2. Following the suburban an Oscar service to Pt Kembla then followed through bi-di on the up. Of course the up trains were now in a mess. There had not been an up train for at least 40' when at around 3:25pm a Tangara appeared from the south which I caught. At around that time the train sitting at Jannali also moved off.
On reflection it wasn't a bad effort by Cityrail to try and sort out a problem caused by another operator. They made plenty of announcements and my only mild criticism is the time it took to swing the bi-di into action.
A very interesting afternoon's entertainment!

I heard that the QRN 3958 wheat train from Temora would be climbing Como Bank this afternoon, considering it was drizzling at the time, I thought that Jannali might be an interesting place to watch the action. I was not disappointed. They slotted the train in between the 2:25pm (H'ville) Cronulla and the 2:40pm (H'ville) Waterfall service. At about 2:40pm it came into view going at slower  than walking pace, as it passed through the station I walked beside the loco and the speedo was registering 1.6 kmh! It seemed that the front two locos the LZ3103 and LG3122 were working OK but DC2206 (ex 422) was slipping a lot. The train took about 10" just to clear the platform and of course the holdup behind was now getting serious.
I estimate 3958 probably cleared Sutherland around 3:20pm. As I was in no hurry, it was interesting watching how CityRail coped with the problem. Only last year the bi-directional signalling between Oatley and Sutherland was finally commissioned after having been installed at least 4 years earlier. Unfortunately, it took about 30' before the bi-directional operation was put in place. In the meantime the service following 3958 arrived at Jannali and sat there. About 15' later I noticed a green light on the bi-directional signal on the up track and shortly after a Tangara service came through, I don't know whether the people on platform 2 were notified that the next down train would depart from Platform 1, of course the suburban train was still sitting at platform 2. Following the suburban an Oscar service to Pt Kembla then followed through bi-di on the up. Of course the up trains were now in a mess. There had not been an up train for at least 40' when at around 3:25pm a Tangara appeared from the south which I caught. At around that time the train sitting at Jannali also moved off.
On reflection it wasn't a bad effort by Cityrail to try and sort out a problem caused by another operator. They made plenty of announcements and my only mild criticism is the time it took to swing the bi-di into action.
A very interesting afternoon's entertainment!

How many times is this train in particular going to fail before RailCorp say enough is enough.

1.6kph? Every turn of the wheel gets you closer to home. And so long as you *are* moving, be damned if I'll shutoff and call for help.

I could hear 3958 from my school

Here are some pictures of the 2 services that ran on the bi-directional

Waterfall service arriving platform 1


Port Kembla service passing platform 1


Cheers. 

I love how Cityrail describes it as a private freight train...


as opposed to what - a 'government' freight train ???   

I love how Cityrail describes it as a private freight train...


as opposed to what - a 'government' freight train ???   

They exist.

It could quite easily be argued that some of the ballast trains railcorp run are freight trains. Railcorp rollingstock, and sometimes railcorp locomotives.

Clearly Railcorp wants it known that the cause of the delay is not theirs.

Unfortunately, it took about 30' before the bi-directional operation was put in place.

Do you understand the complexities required to bring single-line bi-directional signalling into force? It's not just some blokes decision to throw a switch and do it off his own bat... Train Controllers must look at what will be the best option to reduce delays, and implement a plan accordingly. While a train is traversing the up line in the down direction between Oatley and Sutherland, ALL up trains must be stopped somewhere. You then need to ensure that these stopped up trains will not interfere with the arrival of the down train. By the time the down train has cleared the section, figure on two up trains waiting to get through. Allow them to follow each other, fine. By the time they have cleared the section, there might be three or four down trains waiting along the line.

Do you understand the complexities required to bring single-line bi-directional signalling into force? It's not just some blokes decision to throw a switch and do it off his own bat...

Just for the record, I have no idea.

But you got to admit, It'd be great if life was that easy! 

I belive that I may hold the record of over 8 hrs for causing the longest delay on the Illawarra back in about 2002 xmas time[ may have been 2001] . Pulled a jaw out of a coalie just above Jannali & tried to replace  with the spares on  the 82 class loco's, these would not fit   so a slow walk  to the back of the train to collect the jaw off the last wagon only to find that it would not fit either. Enfield flying gang eventually arrived  to find that  they  had never seen this type of auto  jaw  either. Rear part of train [42  trucks ]were towed back to Enfield & offending 3 pack removed. On later enquiry  I found out that  this unit train had the only McKarrol-Carran ??  couplers in the state &  were not compatible with any other  in service in the state.  Bi di signalling was started to be installed  within the next month .



Wally.

I belive that I may hold the record of over 8 hrs for causing the longest delay on the Illawarra back in about 2002 xmas time[ may have been 2001] . Pulled a jaw out of a coalie just above Jannali & tried to replace  with the spares on  the 82 class loco's, these would not fit   so a slow walk  to the back of the train to collect the jaw off the last wagon only to find that it would not fit either. Enfield flying gang eventually arrived  to find that  they  had never seen this type of auto  jaw  either. Rear part of train [42  trucks ]were towed back to Enfield & offending 3 pack removed. On later enquiry  I found out that  this unit train had the only McKarrol-Carran ??  couplers in the state &  were not compatible with any other  in service in the state.  Bi di signalling was started to be installed  within the next month .



Wally.

Sorry that this is off topic but does anyone know anything about Pacific National coal operations at Pt Kembla. I'm joining as a trainee loco driver and would appreciate any advice

 

Sorry that this is off topic but I'm starting at Pacific National coal as a trainee loco driver and was wondering if anyone knows about the place/job. Would appreciate any advice/info

Thanks

Jason

I belive that I may hold the record of over 8 hrs for causing the longest delay on the Illawarra back in about 2002 xmas time[ may have been 2001] . Pulled a jaw out of a coalie just above Jannali & tried to replace  with the spares on  the 82 class loco's, these would not fit   so a slow walk  to the back of the train to collect the jaw off the last wagon only to find that it would not fit either. Enfield flying gang eventually arrived  to find that  they  had never seen this type of auto  jaw  either. Rear part of train [42  trucks ]were towed back to Enfield & offending 3 pack removed. On later enquiry  I found out that  this unit train had the only McKarrol-Carran ??  couplers in the state &  were not compatible with any other  in service in the state.  Bi di signalling was started to be installed  within the next month .



Wally.

Sorry that this is off topic but does anyone know anything about Pacific National coal operations at Pt Kembla. I'm joining as a trainee loco driver and would appreciate any advice

Refer to the employment forum.

Glad to see the LZ's and DC locks pulled from QR's ARG operations here in WA are still working.

The DC loco sounds like it is doing as poorly over East as it did here. Not really a success in the West as spent a long time stored due to performance issues. 2206 was out of action for over 12 months until we donated it to you - have fun with it.

At least at 1.6kmh, you have plenty of time for your photo!!