|
Howdy BW,
AH OK, your lot call it something slightly different to our lot.
I actually prefer your mob's terminology.
Actuator sounds more affirmative than does Assistor.
But, the purpose is the same, to ensure that a light rail vehicle is detected by track circuits.
You lot have had such a dingus since 1999, HMMMM.
This TOC manual scrounged being issued in december 2021 is the first mention of the dingus here.
Rusty rail is definitely a problem when trains don't percolate frequently.
The first goods train to rattle over a section of track returned to action would act as a rail clean.
Especially at points.
And, you could find yerself being swung over at a number of spots, which does slow progress down.
With all of this multi-operator capitalism here today, time is moolah.
Maybe they don't perform rail cleans with freighters any more here, fearing operator complaints.
PLUS, to get swung over from the dedicated path, the crew need to KNOW where they are going route wise.
Take the wrong turn-out due to a mistake in the computerized train control system, and the crew cop it.
Leaf litter on rails is not a major drama here.
However, our driverless Metro dingus might encounter some situations where traction becomes a problem.
It has sailed through platforms in the past due to not being able to stop.
Our Bathurst Bullet is a two car Endeavour set dmu, and I always ride in the second car.
Though, not since the plague, I ain't been anywhere, let alone cramped up in a dmu.
Discovering that such dingi now must have this TCA, I might hafta ride on the roof.
That way, I could espy any thing rattling up behind it due to becoming "stealth" mode, not operating the circuits.
I would hafta duck me head numerous times to avoid getting snotted by the low bridges and tunnels en route.
But, I would not need to worry about wearing a mask, as you does when cramped up inside the thing.
When I do next attempt to ride the Bullet, I will now hafta take a gander at the underbelly.
To see if I can squiz this TCA dingus dangling under neath.
It has been known for some moons that our vintage CPH class rail motors (tin hares) are a problem with track circuits.
Hence, they have needed to be run as Block Working when ever the hystericals drag them out of the shed.
Now, it appears that the newer, but still now vintage 600 / 700 class dmu sets have been added to the Block Working.
These vintage machines not being provided with a TCA, I presume either due to cost OR lack of space under neath.
E GADs, simple solution, bring back that bloke who rode a horse along ahead of each train waving a red flag.
The only chance of a rear ender then being if the horse suddenly bolts down the track and the train attempts to follow.
Steve.
|