Thread: NCOP must read!!!!

It will likely go the same way as the 'national' heavy vehicle drivers workbook that was supposed to be the new panacea. Except that WA, NT and Tas went screw you and went their own way. Our state governments cant even agree on a standard rail track size. In short i will believe it when i see it and i think a lot of people would be surprised how illegal their 4wd's are currently when looking at state regs. So i dont forsee a lot of earth shattering change.

Originally Posted by beforethevision

OK, thats interesting. The original NCOP was very reasonable (in my opinion) and gave flexbility within logical bounds. EG powerful engine = big brakes and diffs.

Cheers!

I agree, I liked the original NCOP and it opened up some really interesting options (at least for nsw) but still managed the big trucks (which are not even legal under the current regulations despite engineering). Looking forward, as 4WD's increasingly use independant suspension, it is dealing with an issue for 4WD's that is slowly going to become redundant anyway short of axle swaps.

Originally Posted by Mick-Kelly

Our state governments cant even agree on a standard rail track size.

Know what you are saying here as this example is a classic of the type. For those who are not up on this piece of Australian history let me refresh you: Big get together of all the states to agree on a national gauge. Someone had suggested that it would make sense of you could travel by train across the continent without problems due to differing gauges seen in other parts of the world. All agreed on the narrow gauge as (some things do not change) it was the cheapest to build. After this agreement was reached NSW then has a new state engineer appointed who is Irish. Decides that NSW should build to standard gauge with which he has experience from building track in Ireland. Victoria cannot stand by and let NSW operate a larger gauge than them and so then has to go one better than NSW so they build wide gauge track.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

I agree, I liked the original NCOP and it opened up some really interesting options (at least for nsw) but still managed the big trucks (which are not even legal under the current regulations despite engineering). Looking forward, as 4WD's increasingly use independant suspension, it is dealing with an issue for 4WD's that is slowly going to become redundant anyway short of axle swaps.

I like the concept of double wishbone, as it can give you good centre clearance without the need for massive tyres and crazy ratios. If there was a defender style vehicle, running double wishbone all round (with long A arms, not like the FL etc) it would potentially drive very well on and off road.

TBH double wishbone actually increases the possibility of wicked lifts, albeit without compromising handling. Flares, coilovers, CVs and longer, camber corrected wishbones would be an expensive kit, requiring much engineering, but give a superior result.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by 3toes

Know what you are saying here as this example is a classic of the type. For those who are not up on this piece of Australian history let me refresh you: Big get together of all the states to agree on a national gauge. Someone had suggested that it would make sense of you could travel by train across the continent without problems due to differing gauges seen in other parts of the world. All agreed on the narrow gauge as (some things do not change) it was the cheapest to build. After this agreement was reached NSW then has a new state engineer appointed who is Irish. Decides that NSW should build to standard gauge with which he has experience from building track in Ireland. Victoria cannot stand by and let NSW operate a larger gauge than them and so then has to go one better than NSW so they build wide gauge track.

Sorry to hijack, but...

Not the way i understand,
Originally the NSW engineer, from Ireland, wanted 5'3" broad gauge also known as Irish Broad. Vic agreed, ordered their locomotives, rollingstock and started laying track.
At the last minute before NSW equipment was ordered, engineer in chief was changed to a Brit, who (sensibly) mandated the world standard gauge of 4' 8,1/2" to be built.
Vic had already spent their money, couldn't change their order and so stuck with 5'3.
SA followed blindly with their closest neighbour for major routes, QLD, WA and Tas couldn't afford the standard gauge so went with the de facto world standard gauge of 3'6. SA also built secondary lines in 3'6".
Interestingly, only the NSW public railway system stuck to the one gauge all the way through, Vic had four 2'6" lines, WA built standard gauge, Tas and Qld had 2' gauge government lines. Research suggests the commissioner for railways at the time had a tough fight against the narrow gauge crowd.
Cheers,
Mark
train enthusiast-who? me?

Here is an interesting note from a NSW RTA Signatory that has posted on Outerlimits.

Originally Posted by Athol

A couple of highlights from a letter sent by the RTA to all signatories, dated 25 March 2009:

The current version of the NCOP is not recognised by the RTA.

The NCOP is currently undergoing revision and it is intended that the revised document will be used in NSW when it is completed.

So Hulksta, that means it's not even a guideline in NSW right now.
Athol

Originally Posted by beforethevision

I like the concept of double wishbone, as it can give you good centre clearance without the need for massive tyres and crazy ratios. If there was a defender style vehicle, running double wishbone all round (with long A arms, not like the FL etc) it would potentially drive very well on and off road.

TBH double wishbone actually increases the possibility of wicked lifts, albeit without compromising handling. Flares, coilovers, CVs and longer, camber corrected wishbones would be an expensive kit, requiring much engineering, but give a superior result.

Cheers!

Check the racing in the states.

King of the Hammers.... one of the fastest had IFS

XRRA Moab... speed/crawling events - winner had IFS.
Pirate4x4.Com - The largest off roading website in the world. check out Episode 15 if you have a spare 15mins.

And more signatory comments from the engineer.

I wouldn't expect the NCOP to be adopted in NSW within 6 months, if ever.

The RTA have a guy drafting their proposed complete re-write of the NCOP to make it more like the current NSW rules. It appears that VIC are doing something similar with their own re-write. You'll end up with a committee comprising one person from each state and territory being presented with multiple new proposed versions. Do you think that they'll ever all agree on one set of rules?