| [ Total Views: 586 | Total Replies: 11 | Thread Id: 3465 ] |
|
|
 Jay_1965vw
A.k.a.: Jay
Custom Title Time!
Chatting Babe
Posts: 1429
Threads: 102
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Canberra
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Blissed out on parenthood... and tired...
|
| posted on January 31st, 2003 at 11:32 PM |
|
|
Train Crash??
Saw on the news that there waas a train crash in Sydney - is everyone here ok???
Jay
Part of Melbourne's Unreal Aircooled VW Community
|
|
|
KOM123
Custom Title Time!
Smiling Assassin
Posts: 1164
Threads: 121
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Always cheery!
|
| posted on February 1st, 2003 at 01:08 AM |
|
|
9 fatalities and 41 badly injured, hopefully no fellow forum members 
|
|
|
Spook
Custom Title Time!
Driving the 64 wheeler
Posts: 1168
Threads: 83
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Central Coast
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: ALWAYS DARK
|
| posted on February 1st, 2003 at 05:46 AM |
|
|
I had friends & rellos ringing all day yesterday, making sure I wasn't driving.
Well my friends are gone & my hair is grey, I ache in the places where I used to play.
|
|
|
kustomkool
A.k.a.: Damian Von
Custom Title Time!
BEING KOOL AINT CHEAP
Posts: 1611
Threads: 178
Registered: November 8th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Melbourne,Victoria
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: farked up...
|
| posted on February 1st, 2003 at 11:18 AM |
|
|
The train must of been flying never seen a train so hammered.
|
|
|
amazer
Bishop of Volkswagenism
kombi pilot
Posts: 3187
Threads: 308
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Wollongong
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Peachy!
|
| posted on February 1st, 2003 at 03:43 PM |
|
|
I almost NEVER catch a train yet I was on that line less than a week before.
I dont think it was flying. Firstly because it was not far after waterfall station and since almost every train stops at waterfall it wouldnt have
that far to build up speed. Secondly I dont know that trains are crash tested but driving 100's of tonnes into anything solid (like the earth) is
bound to make a bit of a mess. Thirdly because with 40 degree temps the day before the track was very possibly distorted, and Fourthly... until the
black box tells how fast it was going I dont think people should blame a train driver for killing passengers. The train driver has family and I bet
they dont need fingers pointing at them. If it was going too fast then more than likely it was trying to make up for lost time due to SRA/government
cock ups.
I think the media should just shut up until that box is plugged in,
Chris.... kombi pilot, oval dreamer... finisher #26971 2005 city to surf
|
|
|
amazer
Bishop of Volkswagenism
kombi pilot
Posts: 3187
Threads: 308
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Wollongong
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Peachy!
|
| posted on February 1st, 2003 at 03:45 PM |
|
|
lucky it was a southbound train. Would have been hundreds killed if it was a northbound commuter train.
Chris.... kombi pilot, oval dreamer... finisher #26971 2005 city to surf
|
|
|
amazer
Bishop of Volkswagenism
kombi pilot
Posts: 3187
Threads: 308
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Wollongong
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Peachy!
|
| posted on February 1st, 2003 at 04:59 PM |
|
|
well we're never gonna know then how fast it was travelling. Media should stop hassling a dead guy who was just doing his job.
Chris.... kombi pilot, oval dreamer... finisher #26971 2005 city to surf
|
|
|
Spook
Custom Title Time!
Driving the 64 wheeler
Posts: 1168
Threads: 83
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Central Coast
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: ALWAYS DARK
|
| posted on February 2nd, 2003 at 06:29 AM |
|
|
Government policy is blame the driver.
We are guilty til we prove ourselves innocent.
If something goes amiss, first they breathalise the crew, then they read the tape. Then, if you weren't p!ssed or speeding they'll look for
another cause.
That's the way it's always been.
Have a look at Bob Carr's line, I'm not blaming the driver, but the track was inspected yesterday.
All LOCOMOTIVES have a speed recorder, have had for years. Older ones have a hassler speed recorder which puts everything on a tape, a newer loco has
a data logger, which is the black box the politicians are on about.
But as I said, that's locos, passenger sets are only just getting them now, & it's a slow process.
The speed & the damage?
Chris, don't under estimate the pick up of a Tangara. From a standing start they would make most drag racers sit up & take notice. They are
quite a powerful unit.
But, Kustom, they are a steel frame wrapped in fibreglass, they aren't meant to hit anything.
It's still the safest way to travel.
Well my friends are gone & my hair is grey, I ache in the places where I used to play.
|
|
|
PostModern
Slammed & Awesome Dubber
Posts: 89
Threads: 8
Registered: January 31st, 2003
Member Is Offline
Location: Illawarra NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on February 2nd, 2003 at 09:50 AM |
|
|
| Quote: | Originally
posted by amazer
I dont think it was flying. Firstly because it was not far after waterfall station and since almost every train stops at waterfall it wouldnt have
that far to build up speed.
|
Not true. Most trains are Sutherland then Helensburg. The tracks are gun-barrel straight from before Heathcote until Waterfall. The trains fly along
there then brake like mad before Waterfall because of the 50Km/h turn where the train came off. I know because I ride that line daily. I agree that
the temperatures of the previous day probably contributed a little to the accident. What pisses me off is that the SRA is spending bugger all on
track maintenance on the South Coast line because it's due for a new route soon. In the meantime, they spend money on putting scent in the
suburban fleet's airconditioning systems. 
Weird tho, that the 6:24 is supposed to stop at Waterfall but passenger reports say that the train was flying along when the accident
happened. Though, I am loathe to join the press and try to guess what happened using no evidence....
|
|
|
amazer
Bishop of Volkswagenism
kombi pilot
Posts: 3187
Threads: 308
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Wollongong
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Peachy!
|
| posted on February 2nd, 2003 at 12:00 PM |
|
|
But why do you say they are flying!
When I am driving to and from sydney I am flying along at 110 then I have to brake like mad for the 80 zones at the end.
On the sutho bypass I am flying at 90 to 100 then have to brake like mad for the traffic lights.
It doesnt mean I am doing anything wrong. It might be a fast speed but its a safe and legal speed.
This poor guy has been supposedly driving trains for over 20 years probably mostly illawarra line since he lives down here. I just cant believe that
he suddenly sped up so fast that all the passengers started looking at each other when he should have been slowing down. Which is what is being
reported in Wollongong papers. If that is the case well I can only assume he had a heart attack at the wheel.... levers... whatever you drive trains
with.
Of course the tracks, state rail, and the governent arent to blame. Its only 2 months till an election.
Another thing I dont understand is that they were saying emergency crews are walking people out 1.5 kms to ambulances. Why dont they just drive along
the tracks? If its too bumpy then there are those hilux utes with the train wheels that drop down. They could drive right up to the scene and back to
waterfall station or the nearest access road.
There's a lesson to be learnt though. try not to sit in front carriages, and try not to sit in the top level.
Chris.... kombi pilot, oval dreamer... finisher #26971 2005 city to surf
|
|
|
Spook
Custom Title Time!
Driving the 64 wheeler
Posts: 1168
Threads: 83
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Central Coast
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: ALWAYS DARK
|
| posted on February 2nd, 2003 at 12:03 PM |
|
|
It's done that way because it's easy to blame a dead man. They don't argue.
In 1990, when an inter-urban hit 3801, within an hour it had been called as driver error. He had gone past a red light & hit the steam train. He
wasn't around to argue.
Then it was found that another driver (a bloke I started with in 87) was up the front & had jumped clear. Lost both his legs but was alive.
When he told them the light was green they went into damage control.
After the inquiry, it came down to an act of god.
If Jeff hadn't lived it would not even have been looked into.
Makes you feel important though.
If it's not my fault, it's gods.
Well my friends are gone & my hair is grey, I ache in the places where I used to play.
|
|
|
PostModern
Slammed & Awesome Dubber
Posts: 89
Threads: 8
Registered: January 31st, 2003
Member Is Offline
Location: Illawarra NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on February 2nd, 2003 at 01:04 PM |
|
|
When I said "fly along" I didn't mean it was excessive for the straight. They often do more than 110 along there, I might add, but I
have no complaints, it means I get home quicker.
I suspect the driver had a heart attack or passed out along the straight and hence missed the brakes. I was in no way blaming the driver. Having
driven that route for ages, he would have known the next bend was a slow one. I have nfi what caused the accident, I was just describing the track
leading up to the crash site.
In the Tangaras I usually sit up the top because I'd heard that when they derail the top deck collapses onto the bottom and you have a better
chance living if you're at the top. I might have to review that policy now :\ I generally avoid the Tangara trains anyhow, preferring the comfy
seats and smoother ride of the heavy old inter-urbans.
|
|
|
OvalGlen
Custom Title Time!
Posts: 1361
Threads: 46
Registered: August 27th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Liverpool.
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Change
|
| posted on February 2nd, 2003 at 02:58 PM |
|
|
Made me feel sick when heard that a train smash had killed 6 people - then the toll rose. I guess its more shocking when it Is So Rare. Car accident
deaths have become so common place.
Regards,Glenn>
|
|
|
Spook
Custom Title Time!
Driving the 64 wheeler
Posts: 1168
Threads: 83
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Central Coast
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: ALWAYS DARK
|
| posted on February 4th, 2003 at 10:06 AM |
|
|
Was up at Waterfall yesterday.
Gotta love the way the heirarchy think.
I don't claim to be real bright, but if I was trying to keep public confidence up, I wouldn't park a wreck next to a station...:cussing
Well my friends are gone & my hair is grey, I ache in the places where I used to play.
|
|
|
kustomkool
A.k.a.: Damian Von
Custom Title Time!
BEING KOOL AINT CHEAP
Posts: 1611
Threads: 178
Registered: November 8th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Melbourne,Victoria
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: farked up...
|
| posted on February 4th, 2003 at 12:30 PM |
|
|
Take it easy man I wasnt hanging shit on a dead man I was making a comment on the Damage done to the train ,I never once mentioned anything about It
was the drivers fault,The only damage I like on a train is a top to bottom whole car painted in fresh belton paint in graphity style,A comeng
passenger train travel solo {no driver] from Broadmeadows to Spencer st station and rammed into a Country train this Morning now theres no driver to
blame in this sitiution must be Terrorists couldnt possibly be the drivers fault.Or the privatly owned company who runs the melb transit system.Amazer
relax man we are not youre enemys.
|
|
|
