Thread: THAT train crash in Vic. It was at 100 km/hr

That I think has been fairly obvious from the outset - the question remains why?

It seems the driver was advised in advance of the speed restriction and the diversion, new that the signals were not working, hence the pilot onboard. As the brakes were applied before the train hit the diversion slowing it from 130kph to 100kph - I suspect it was a simple lapse that was recognised too late.

I guess we now have to wait for the final report to find out the fine detail.

Garry

When I was a signaller on the railway (NSW), instructions like that were given in written form, either by handing a copy directly to the driver (I've done many times) or over the radio where the driver would fill out his own form.

I can't imagine how he had a lapse of memory unless he was distracted by talking to the pilot - and the pilot forgot, too. Generally speaking, people without a cab pass couldn't travel with the driver for that reason.

I assume the signals weren't working to let the driver know in advance that the points were set to the passing loop.

Originally Posted by p38arover

I assume the signals weren't working to let the driver know in advance that the points were set to the passing loop.

That is why the pilot was onboard.

Originally Posted by p38arover

..........
I can't imagine how he had a lapse of memory unless he was distracted by talking to the pilot - and the pilot forgot, too. Generally speaking, people without a cab pass couldn't travel with the driver for that reason.

I assume the signals weren't working to let the driver know in advance that the points were set to the passing loop.

I suspect that is exactly what happened, but in the absence of a cab voice recorder, I cannot see how this can be determined with any certainty.

The signals were apparently not working because of a fire in some wiring. I remember last time I was on that train, at around that point, we spent about twenty minutes stopped, which the passengers were told was because signals were not working following the theft of a substantial amount of wiring by scrap metal scavengers.