Edited 22 Feb 2020 19:21, 11 months ago, edited by KRviator

The Age reported this ...

After the accident Leon, who has experience in rail transport, said he walked back to where he thought the train had derailed.
He said the tracks, which police said were badly damaged following the crash, were set to divert the train onto an adjacent parallel side track. Leon said signals should have alerted the driver to slow down to be able to move into the side track, but he did not notice the train slowing prior to the derailment.

"If the driver knew that, and the signalling told him that, there's no way he would have been travelling at the speed he was travelling at," Leon said.
"You have to slow down at that point ... And this train didn't."
Passengers said they felt a sharp bump before the train derailed.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/sydney-to-melbourne-train-derails-north-of-melbourne-20200220-p542vz.html

Does that mean the points were set for the train to go into the loop?  

I've seen here - https://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11395768.htm - that the speed limit for loop is 40 km/h

I am a train driver.

I have been on that section of track on the XPT in the cab.

There was a pilot with the driver so I am assuming by listening to 2GB radio where a caller chimed in to Chris' Saturday show where copper wiring had been stolen.

I am assuming the driver did not realize he had the points set for the loop and proceeded at mainline speed.

Signals may have been red or out altogether. In this case there would have been no (signal) indication to the driver that he was going into the loop.

Need someone who has experience in VIC safeworking (Is it ARTC Vic?) to help me.

I can't find the use of a pilot anywhere in the rules yet the pilot died with the driver.

https://www.artc.com.au/customers/operations/rules-procedures/vic/ta20/

As to the operating conditions that evening it would be good to know if someone can describe it. Signals were not illuminated? Or illuminated?

Signals functioning and train control was operating or was it redundant system such as pilot or ticket authority etc?

Daniel

Daniel,
If you read back though this :-
The signals at Wallen where not working due to a fire. They had all ben crossed out and an alternative means of safe working was introduced. This included all Trains been Piloted though the section. The loop had been taken out of use and looked for Trains to go though on the Main. On the day of the incident this was changed to all Trains using the loop. Then something has then gone horribly wrong.  We need to wait to the relevant investigations are completed to understand the full facts.
The reporting by the media has so many things that are so wrong its a joke. There is no fact checking.

To those who have posseted what is clearly facts thanks you.