Article: Queensland tilt train drivers exposed to gas risk

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Queensland tilt train drivers exposed to gas risk

Queensland tilt train drivers exposed to gas risk
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Peter Morley

August 21, 2008 12:00am

TILT train crews have been issued with gas masks after a driver of the 160km/h passenger express collapsed because of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The train drivers' union claimed yesterday gas leaks in the diesel locomotives had been happening for some time and warned that crew and passengers were in jeopardy until the leaks were stopped.

Drivers have threatened to stop the train immediately if they detect gas leaks.

When the driver collapsed on the south-bound train the co-driver took over but he too became violently ill when he stopped at Ingham.

His companion had to be lifted to the ground.

Both recovered after treatment.

The train, which left Cairns on July 30, continued to Brisbane with a relief crew who were told to keep the windows open and the air-conditioning off, the drivers' union said.

Queensland Rail blamed the incident on a "minor exhaust system problem" and said the crew had suffered some discomfort but passengers had never been in danger.

But in case of an emergency "respiratory personal protective equipment" or gas masks had been issued to crews.

Nearly four years ago, a diesel-drawn Tilt Train was involved in a high-speed crash and derailed near Bundaberg when it entered a 60km/h bend doing 112kmh, injuring 120 people. Some were thrown out of windows where they laid severely hurt for an hour until emergency services arrived.

The Federated Union of Locomotive Employees said it remained concerned for the safety of its members and passengers.

"The problem is that carbon monoxide is an insidious gas," Queensland secretary Greg Smith said. "The driver who took over did not realise he had been affected until he left the cab and was in fresh air.

"Until the situation is sorted out properly it is not safe for passengers or our members."

Drivers claim it is not the first time cab air has been polluted.

"The diesels have had fume problems for some time - still have - and now Queensland Rail has responded by issuing gas marks," a railway source said.

"But drivers have told me that if they smell anything in future they will just stop the train where it is."

QR spent more than $200 million on the four Tilt Trains, two of which are electrically driven and operate between Brisbane and Rockhampton. Beyond there the rail is not electrified and is serviced by the diesel-drawn trains that run between Brisbane and Cairns.

Crew that work the diesel Tilt Trains claim the engines are troublesome.

They said there was always a lingering fumes smell in the engine compartment.

[ozbob]

Hopefully this issue will be resolved forthwith.

Reminds one of the days when steam engine crew  were issued respirators for the tunnels!

[mufreight]

Obviously another pair of power cars is needed with a redesigned cab to keep out fumes and additional power cars would allow time for a higher standard of maintanence to solve problems with exhaust fumes, running on a shoe string is less than cost effective in the long run.