Yesterday's train accident near Ballarat

RG · 29-04-2006, 05:01 PM

Was just watching the news and saw some pictures of the accident scene. Two dead, the conductor and a male passenger, after a truck carrying a 12 tonne bluestone block didn't get off the level crossing in time and got hit by onr of the new V'locity fast trains. Why does the bracks government keep on letting this happen, it's not as if it is the first time in recent history that a train has been involved in a major accident, yet he keeps on talking up the fast train network when there are still level crossings with shocking visibility and no warning systems. Why not upgade them like they should have been 10 years ago. No one really wanted new trains all they really wanted was a more efficient and safer system yet bracks goes ahead on his own and lets something like this happen. It just sickens me to think that other people have to go through the horror of a major accident like this.

**Polyal** · 29-04-2006, 05:04 PM

yeah thats crazy that in todays age there are some crossings with no boom gates or lights; actually its a joke.

Citric GT · 29-04-2006, 05:11 PM

I can understand not having boom gates and and lights on little crossings in the bush, but certainly not on crossings in towns and citys. Having said that, there is no excuse for the sometimes woeful signage that protects level crossings in the bush. At the end of the day its the truck drivers fault, but better signage should certainly be a priority.

**Full Noise** · 29-04-2006, 05:12 PM

They should never have fast trains on lines that have uncontrolled level crossings.

Condolences to the families of the two deceased.

Danny

Citric GT · 29-04-2006, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full Noise

They should never have fast trains on lines that have uncontrolled level crossings.

Very true. There should be a minimum standard for level crossing protection before any high speed running is introduced on those lines. Unless they're prepared to have speed restrictions over bad crossings like some parts of country NSW.

**Full Noise** · 29-04-2006, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citric XR6

At the end of the day its the truck drivers fault, but better signage should certainly be a priority.

How would you feel if you looked left and right, saw nothing, then proceeded across a level crossing and then bang? Legally the truck driver is at fault, however, the train may not nave been visible when he moved across the level crossing. There is no excuse in this day and age for uncontrolled level crossings.

Danny

RG · 29-04-2006, 05:27 PM

I know the crossing where it happened and you can't blame the truck driver. There are trees blocking vision coming from one way.

LUXO_8 · 29-04-2006, 05:31 PM

on the news, a man that lives close by to the accident said there are trees lining a property by the tracks which would certainly have made it hard to see a train ciming.....

was pretty bad from the pictures......extremley lucky more lives werent lost...

Citric GT · 29-04-2006, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full Noise

How would you feel if you looked left and right, saw nothing, then proceeded across a level crossing and then bang? Legally the truck driver is at fault, however, the train may not nave been visible when he moved across the level crossing. There is no excuse in this day and age for uncontrolled level crossings.

Danny

Don't get me wrong, the truck driver probably did the right thing. I should have worded it differently. As for having track circuiting and lights, bells and boomgates etc. the cost would be prohibitive. Its just not feasable in country areas that aren't already track circuited, therefore the simple and effective way to reduce risk is have a speed restriction over the bad crossings and improve signage where its needed.

LUXO_8 · 29-04-2006, 05:47 PM

but then, they could remove the lights & bells from dis-used rail tracks and re-install them on these country lines..that would surely cut the costs..

for example, the disused cement works line in geelong still has all of the lights on the intersection, hasnt been a train run on the track for about 6 years...oh and the factory the tracks went to has been dozed over...
this line crosses at least 4 roads, so thats 4 country level crossings which could be made a lot safer.... but instad they're being wasted on a track that not used...

RG · 29-04-2006, 05:49 PM

Very good point. There are dozens of disused crossings with signals and that's just in the Ballarat area.

mik · 29-04-2006, 06:22 PM

they could easily make an overpass or have the train go under ground ,the dollar takes precedence over safety yet again.

:

RG · 30-04-2006, 02:39 PM

One of the people killed was the train drivers mother. What a sad twist.

flappist · 30-04-2006, 03:02 PM

Up here in sunny QLD when the Tilt Train was first employed all crossings on the line were either upgraded to boom gates or closed. It is actually quite strange to see a set of boom gates in the middle of nowhere on a dirt track.
I am sure the truck driver did not do it on purpose it was just a terrible accident. It is always a tragedy when something like this happens.

Condolences to all concerened.

Danny · 30-04-2006, 03:11 PM

ARe there any pics of it? Link to a story?

RG · 30-04-2006, 03:20 PM

Here's a link.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...55E661,00.html

**Full Noise** · 30-04-2006, 03:20 PM

Here’s a link to the story.

Ballarat train accident

Cheers, Danny

LUXO_8 · 30-04-2006, 09:33 PM

aparently another train smash tonight.... this time in sunshine....
heard on our police scanner.... dont know much info on it though