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| November meet(s) in Australia? 28/09/2015 at 21:52 #76326 | |
ozrail
197 posts |
Clive. Are you spending any time in Sydney?
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| November meet(s) in Australia? 28/09/2015 at 23:13 #76327 | |
GeoffM
6377 posts 
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I just watched the Indian Pacific arrive at Sydney Central and now my head hurts... AIUI the two original engines off the front of the train organise the train into two halves and two platforms at Sydney, plus a motorail wagon into a third location.
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| November meet(s) in Australia? 29/09/2015 at 01:25 #76328 | |
BarryM
2158 posts |
" said:I just watched the Indian Pacific arrive at Sydney Central and now my head hurts... AIUI the two original engines off the front of the train organise the train into two halves and two platforms at Sydney, plus a motorail wagon into a third location.A good video that covers a period of 5 hours. The IP consists of 26 cars and a Motorail wagon, some times 2 Motorails, arriving at 10:17am and departing at 3:03pm. There are no platforms in Sydney Terminal that can accommodate this size train. A slight variation to Geoff's comments. The original front engine does not shunt the train. It uncouples from the train and moves to an empty road where it reverses and eventual goes back to Loco at Chullora. Whilst this is happening, you will notice a NR loco waiting on the Dock road. This engine shunts the Motorail wagon(s) into the dock road. The assistant engine (DL) moves the train into platform 2. The NR then couples on the back of the IP and shunts 14 cars from P2 to P3. The loco then shunts the train in P2 to allow the DL to be released at the buffer stops in P2 to the engine road. The NR then shunts to the engine road between P2 and P3 and couples up to the DL. After a break, the NR + DL collect the Motorail wagons, then when passenger have boarded the train in P3, the engines and wagons shunt to the cars in P3, couple up and shunt from P3 to P2 and couple up to form the complete consist. At 15:03 the train departs for Adelaide and Perth. A very enjoyable experience. Barry Barry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Last edited: 29/09/2015 at 02:04 by BarryM Log in to reply The following user said thank you: GeoffM |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 29/09/2015 at 02:12 #76329 | |
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BarryM
2158 posts |
For those interested in the Indian Pacific, visit the Great Southern Rail website Here. Barry Barry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Last edited: 29/09/2015 at 02:13 by BarryM Log in to reply |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 29/09/2015 at 05:00 #76330 | |
kaiwhara
587 posts |
" said:I just watched the Indian Pacific arrive at Sydney Central and now my head hurts... AIUI the two original engines off the front of the train organise the train into two halves and two platforms at Sydney, plus a motorail wagon into a third location.Tempted to authorise a Sim yet?? 
Sorry guys, I am in the business of making people wait! Log in to reply |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 29/09/2015 at 08:28 #76337 | |
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ozrail
197 posts |
I remember shunting this train as a Signaller in Sydney Signal Box. It's very similar to shunting the Sleeper trains at Edinburgh. You can't see the train so you rely on the Assist Yard Controller to call the shunts. Because this train is run by a private operator they have their own staff controlling the movements and they also ask for Signalled protection during the shunt. All other trains arrive and depart via the Suburban lines during the shunting.
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| November meet(s) in Australia? 29/09/2015 at 08:41 #76338 | |
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kaiwhara
587 posts |
" said:I remember shunting this train as a Signaller in Sydney Signal Box. It's very similar to shunting the Sleeper trains at Edinburgh. You can't see the train so you rely on the Assist Yard Controller to call the shunts. Because this train is run by a private operator they have their own staff controlling the movements and they also ask for Signalled protection during the shunt. All other trains arrive and depart via the Suburban lines during the shunting.How long ago did you leave Sydney Yard Box? Looked like a British Style NX Panel? I'd be keen to learn a bit more about that box. For some reason, Sydney's Rail System spikes an interest in me, even though I haven't been there since I was about 3! Sorry guys, I am in the business of making people wait! Log in to reply |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 29/09/2015 at 09:02 #76339 | |
flabberdacks
636 posts |
" said:Looked like a British Style NX Panel? I'd be keen to learn a bit more about that box.I've hit up Google Image Search a couple of times and found these: Four Illawarra lines top right to and from Sydenham, Macdonaldtown Yard are the red lines in the centre, and six lines bottom right, to and from Strathfield. Note the Metronet Train Radio unit on the edge of the panel, which I believe is very similar if not identical to the British system. I found this picture on someone's blog post of a box visit and can only hope that guy knows that his picture makes the rounds:  the Flying Junctions - up trains from Redfern heading towards the Central suburban platforms go over the top, down trains such as 98-H underneath. This sorts the lines from the one-up, one-down arrangement at Redfern into appropriate platforms for trains to head over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or around the City Circle:  It's a Westinghouse NX panel with no TORR operating route-relay interlockings. We just colour the track and signals differently. Note: I don't work there, but have been inside and it is an impressive operation. Photos not mine. Last edited: 29/09/2015 at 09:11 by flabberdacks Log in to reply The following user said thank you: GeoffM |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 29/09/2015 at 09:15 #76340 | |
kbarber
1743 posts |
" said:I just watched the Indian Pacific arrive at Sydney Central and now my head hurts... AIUI the two original engines off the front of the train organise the train into two halves and two platforms at Sydney, plus a motorail wagon into a third location.Shades of Kensington Olympia in the old days, as seen from South Main Signalbox or the Motorail Supervisor's standpoint. (I'll copy this to Anecdotes, would people please comment there if they want.) First up in the morning, a class 25 arrives from Willesden to be station pilot. North Main probably stashes it in the north east bays - it needs to be out of the way, as there's a steady stream of freights and light engines on their way to & from the Willesden and Acton yards; long sections and slow clearing of trains (particularly at Old Oak Common, where freights have to cross the Main lines on the level) often lead to a good queue of these building up in the down direction. This will be going on in the background throughout the Motorail shenanigins. Then comes the up Stirling. 8 coaches (mainly sleepers) and 12 dual-braked carflats hauled by a pair of class 25s arrive in the (fully reversible) down platform (technically designated down & up platform). (On the West London Line the up direction is towards the Southern Region, so this means arriving on the right hand platform as seen from the train, sensible enough as it's the one nearest the main station building.) Station pilot on the rear, carflats hooked off and drawn back at North Main, then shunted into the Motorail bays (north west corner of the station), involving a shunt over North Main 35 points. (Horrible things they were. A crossover about 300yd from the box with a facing point lock on both ends. And both locks needed to be got in before you pulled off over them, or you could find yourself able to shunt in but not out again (or v.v.). And they were hard. One of the heaviest levers I've ever tried to pull. It wasn't unknown for the supervisor to nip up and give the bobby a hand. And it was still hit or miss whether you could get the FPLs in.) 10 flats would be dropped into No. 1 bay and the other 2 into No. 2. While this is going on, the train engines are hooked off and run to the north end; the carriages usually extend beyond the mid-platform crossover so it's not possible to put the engines on there, they have to wait until the shunt has finished. There were special 'shunting' bell signals between North Main and South Main boxes, so the signalmen were kept pretty busy on the block. Stock gets off to Willesden tout de suite. And a good thing too, because the first 'Kenny Belle' run is by now in section from Chelsea (luckily there's an outer home on the down, so it's OK to accept as soon as the train engines are clear of the inner). (The 'Kensington Belle' was the last vestige of the pre-war passenger services on the West London. I have an idea it was mainly to serve the civil servants who worked in the local Inland Revenue office. It usually consisted of anything Clapham happened to have spare; usually a class 33 but occasionally a 73, most often a couple of miscellaneous coaches but on rare occasions we got a 4TC, which meant we didn't need to run round.) Kenny Belle arrives in the platform just cleared; loco hooks off then runs round using the mid-platform crossover (the old Regulation 31 - Shunting into Forward Section - and if it's a busy day it might have to be a permissive acceptance into the bargain... the colloquial name for Kensington in those days was 'Stop'em Junction'). Kenny Belle ecs is gotten rid of as quickly as possible because... The up Inverness Motorail is now on the horizon. Same formation as the Stirling, except the carflats are vacuum braked. The same performance is gone through as for the Stirling, with the flats split between 3 and 4 bays. Again its all done just in time, because the Kenny Belle is once again on the block from Chelsea. There's not a lot of time to relax though. By the time the tea's brewed the pair of 25s are back, this time with a set of air-braked day coaches. They're run round in station then shunted on to the pair of flats off the Stirling, which by now are busy being loaded with cars for Perth. Finally, South Main gets his breakfast. Which is more than can be said for North Main. Come departure time for the Perth, he pulls off for the coaches and pair of flats, which draw forward then set back on to the other 10 flats (with passengers already on board the coaches). (Question: was this the only train in the country that legitimately departed before a brake test had been carried out?) Check that all's coupled up properly, brake test, then right away. Followed a little later by the station pilot. By now the 'morning peak' of freights is over. The signalmen return to their newspapers (or in certain cases to catching up on their sleep), the shunters return to their card school and anyone happening on the place could be forgiven for thinking it must be closed. It's no wonder it finished; however much loved it was, that service was a financial nonsense (especially as it needed an engine change barely 3 miles from Kensington and provision of those 2 class 25s - one wasn't strong enough to lift the train up the gradient past North Pole). But it was certainly fun while it lasted. Log in to reply The following users said thank you: Steamer, meeko, flabberdacks |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 29/09/2015 at 09:21 #76342 | |
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slatteryc
254 posts |
You need to write a book. I can read that stuff all day and have a great picture in my head.
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| November meet(s) in Australia? 29/09/2015 at 10:36 #76343 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
" said:For those interested in the Indian Pacific, visit the Great Southern Rail website Here.I'll be riding the IP from Perth to Adelaide on 4th-6th November. Log in to reply |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 29/09/2015 at 11:38 #76346 | |
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ozrail
197 posts |
Notice the grubby look of the Sydney Box panel. That's because soon after it opened in 1979 the Signallers complained about the shine coming from the new panel tiles. It was coated with a matt finish, that wore through on the heavily used areas and it looks a mess.
Last edited: 29/09/2015 at 11:48 by ozrail Log in to reply The following user said thank you: flabberdacks |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 29/09/2015 at 15:04 #76350 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
" said:Clive. Are you spending any time in Sydney?Yes. I'd been given the impression that Newcastle would suffice for those in NSW, but I'll look at my plans and see if I can find an evening in Sydney as well. Log in to reply |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 30/09/2015 at 08:02 #76375 | |
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ozrail
197 posts |
That would be nice. I'll put another shrimp on the barbie. Sorry.
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| November meet(s) in Australia? 20/10/2015 at 20:41 #77111 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
" said:" said:Friday 13th November. Ozrail: you're responsible for organizing it, since you asked. Just the evening: beer and dinner, or beer and pub food, or something like that.Clive. Are you spending any time in Sydney?Yes. I'll be staying by Chatswood station, so somewhere convenient from there by train would be good. Log in to reply |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 20/10/2015 at 20:57 #77112 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
" said:Okay, time to firm these meetings up. Evening meetings: I'm expecting locals to suggest a good place (email me if you want my hotel details). I'm assuming around 6pm local time (I don't know what time people typically meet for food and drink in the evenings in Oz).Matty: are we just occupying the Premier in Broadmeadow, or somewhere else? Quote: I've not had a preference from Max, and I've had to sort out some other things, so Wednesday 18th. Someone local needs to select a place, or it isn't going to happen! Quote: Again, I'm still waiting for a local to pick up the ball. I'm departing from Perth on Saturday evening and thereafter relying on whatever WiFi I can pick up, so can people please start reaching decisions? Log in to reply |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 20/10/2015 at 21:14 #77113 | |
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ozrail
197 posts |
Thanks Clive. Chatswood will be good. Outside the station at the Bus Stop is the persevered Signal Box. Maybe a short train trip, but I'll find somewhere nice.
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| November meet(s) in Australia? 20/10/2015 at 22:20 #77114 | |
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flabberdacks
636 posts |
" said:Thanks Clive. Chatswood will be good. Outside the station at the Bus Stop is the persevered Signal Box. Maybe a short train trip, but I'll find somewhere nice.I'm on back shift on the 14th so I might be able to join for a short time, depending on when you start proceedings, then leave in time to get ready for work. Log in to reply |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 03/11/2015 at 03:00 #77418 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
" said:Quote:I've not heard anything more about this. Do I assume it's not happening?Again, I'm still waiting for a local to pick up the ball. Log in to reply |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 04/11/2015 at 08:46 #77447 | |
Mattyq
259 posts |
Clive, The only Simsig player we know of in Adelaide is "Uboat". Maybe you can message him directly? Not fat ..... fluffy!! (G Iglesias) Log in to reply |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 04/11/2015 at 22:15 #77457 | |
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uboat
219 posts |
Already arranged. going into Adelaide to meet Clive.
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| November meet(s) in Australia? 05/11/2015 at 11:15 #77465 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
Well it appears I'll probably make it through to December, so look forward to meeting Clive in Melbourne and anyone else who can get down here. I can't get around very easily (legs weak and I need a stick) but good fellowship goes a long way. 
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| November meet(s) in Australia? 06/11/2015 at 04:58 #77474 | |
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uboat
219 posts |
Clive went for an afternoon nap. train lag.
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| November meet(s) in Australia? 12/11/2015 at 03:07 #77625 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
" said:Well it appears I'll probably make it through to December, so look forward to meeting Clive in Melbourne and anyone else who can get down here. I can't get around very easily (legs weak and I need a stick) but good fellowship goes a long way. :)Max, pick somewhere convenient for you on Wednesday (18th) and we'll make our way there. The first couple of shouts are on me and those kind people who are funding me. Log in to reply |
| November meet(s) in Australia? 15/11/2015 at 10:42 #77718 | |
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Westrail
26 posts |
Could you let me know where you are meeting Melbourne. Would really like to meet someone from the Simsig Team
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