Article: Fear over train brake faults

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Fear over train brake faults

Fear over train brake faults
REID SEXTON
January 24, 2010

COMMUTERS face fresh rail chaos with seven of the newest trains on Melbourne's network being impounded indefinitely following potentially deadly brake failures.

With up to nine six-car Siemens trains - a quarter of the $500 million Siemens fleet - now out of service, delays are set to worsen when school begins next week and thousands of students resume using the already overcrowded network.

Metro has confirmed that seven trains were pulled from service following a spate of incidents in recent weeks in which they inexplicably failed to stop at station platforms and, in most cases, slid across level crossings. It is believed passengers were on board most of the services.

One driver claims two other trains have been removed for other faults. Metro denies this.

With so much pressure on the network already, a senior Metro source and the Public Transport Users Association agreed that the system would collapse if more trains had to be withdrawn because of the mysterious brake fault, a heatwave or any unforeseen problem.

Metro management met the safety regulator, Public Transport Safety Victoria, last week to discuss the growing problem.

The Sunday Age believes that last Sunday night two trains overshot the platform at Hallam, including a Pakenham-bound train that skidded almost half a kilometre beyond the platform.

No one was injured in the Hallam incidents but drivers and a senior Metro source agree it is only a matter of time before a train full of passengers collides with road traffic.

''We know what the ramifications of this could be,'' a driver told The Sunday Age.

''If the driver isn't killed and a family is killed in a car that is negligently sitting on the crossing, like they do every day of the week, who wants to live with that? You don't want to be looking at a carload of bloody kids or somebody who could be your mother in a car just before you snuff their life out.''

The senior Metro source warned that commuters would face chaos when thousands of schoolchildren resumed using the already overcrowded network next week. ''But Siemens trains should not be on the network. Without warning they fail to operate and no one can tell you why,'' the source said.

Public Transport Safety Victoria last month declined a freedom-of-information request to release reports into recent Siemens overshoots. Director Alan Osborne said the exact cause of the overshoots remained unknown, but they occurred when there was moisture on the tracks from rain or humidity.

He said while safety concerns were paramount, he was comfortable leaving the remaining Siemens trains on the network.

A senior industry source said it was believed the problems were caused by ongoing issues with the braking software and the wheels being too smooth, like bald tyres on a car.

The latest incidents mark the return of problems that have plagued the state's 36 Siemens trains - just over 20 per cent of all trains on the Melbourne rail network - since their arrival in 2003. The impounding has sparked fears of a repeat of three years ago when Siemens withdrawals meant almost 40 planned peak-hour cancellations daily.

Their removal is already affecting services, sources say, but it will be severely felt when school returns, with further delays inevitable.

The senior source said management was shocked the trains were still involved in serious safety breaches and was dreading the increased disruption.

''There are some very nervous people around here and some degree of disbelief around this place because this has all allegedly been fixed,'' he said.

''We will need every train we can get during the peak when the kids come back, because we're already so stretched.''

The source said Metro was likely to run three-car trains on less busy lines such as Williamstown and Alamein during the peak to cope with the shortfall.

The train drivers' union has allegedly warned that it will not let the impounded trains return to service until the safety issues are dealt with, a stance that could extend delays for months. However, union president Terry Sheedy refused to confirm this.

Just hours after the two trains overshot the platform at Hallam last Sunday, another train skidded past the platform at Seaford station during the morning peak, and then overshot its destination again as it was travelling to a siding on the Frankston line. On January 2, Siemens trains failed to stop at the end of platforms at Hampton and Springvale stations. It is believed two more Siemens trains overshot the platform at Springvale station in late November or early December.

Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder said the trains posed an unacceptable danger.

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said the impounded trains would create delays and if other issues, such as heat-related network failures, also hit, it would be disastrous. But he said removing all 36 Siemens trains was not feasible, despite the potential safety concerns.

Last year, Siemens trains had a 30 km/h speed limit placed on them when approaching level crossings after six trains overshot platforms.

Metro would not comment on the impact the trains' withdrawal would have on the timetable.

Old operator Connex is suing Siemens for a reported $16.6 million that it claims the brake failures cost it in expenses and government fines.

A Siemens spokeswoman said the company believed there was nothing wrong with its trains, but the court action meant she could not comment further.

Mr Mulder said Government incompetence meant passengers were no closer to knowing when the problem would be resolved. ''It should not take six years to get to the bottom of this ... the alleged problems have been extensively documented.''

New Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said the first of 38 new trains to alleviate chronic overcrowding would be in service soon, but he would not give a definite date.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

No timetable for return of problem trains

No timetable for return of problem trains
JASON DOWLING
January 25, 2010 - 2:47PM

Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula cannot say when nine trains with braking problems will return to Melbourne's rail network.

Visiting the impounded Siemens trains at the Newport rail yard today, Mr Pakula said officials from Public Transport Safety Victoria briefed him on the braking issue this morning.

"I have been assured by Metro that they have been working around the clock to try and have this matter resolved as quickly as possible and to try and get these vehicles back on the tracks," Mr Pakula said.

"I think it is important that the vehicles undergo proper safety checking and so I think it is unhelpful to put artificial timelines on it.

"I think what is also important is Metro is working very hard to try and find a permanent solution to this problem because this has been going on for a while now and we want to see this problem with the Siemens resolved for the future," he said.

Metro Trains is flying out a substance known as sandite — a jelly adhesive containing sand and aluminium — this week to apply to train tracks where sliding has occurred.

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said the Government had failed to fix the braking problem despite the issue occurring over several years.

"Nothing changes on the public transport system: a new operator, a new minister but still trains are late, trains are cancelled, commuters are frustrated. Nothing changes under this government," he said.

He said commuters were sick of being late to work because of delayed or cancelled trains.

"These problems were evident last year, they have been well recorded for a number of years and nothing has been fixed and frustration of commuters goes on," he said.

Mr Baillieu said the sandite adhesive being rushed from England had been available for years.

Greens MP Greg Barber said the Government had failed to act to fix the braking issue.

"The Government has known all about it, probably for years, but hasn't acted. Under a privatised rail system, it's is about a subcontractor fighting with another subcontractor," he said.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Train brake tests get under way

Train brake tests get under way
JASON DOWLING
January 26, 2010

BRAKING tests have been carried out on some of Melbourne's nine impounded trains in an attempt to have them back in service as soon as possible.

Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula could not say yesterday when the trains would return to service and said their absence would be felt most as students returned to school.

''We know that this is going to be a bigger problem as school kids go back and particularly if the weather heats up, so we are very keen that the trains are back on the network as soon as possible,'' he said.

Some of the affected trains had their brakes tested last night.

Metro Trains is rushing a sand-based gel called sandite from England to help fix a braking problem that has caused eight Siemens and one Comeng train to be removed from service.

Metro boss Andrew Lezala said the train operator had sourced sandite from a supplier in England but had not yet confirmed a flight to bring the adhesive to Melbourne.

The gel is applied to the tracks where braking problems have occurred.

Trains began overshooting stations two weeks ago, with the most recent braking problem on Saturday.

Mr Pakula inspected some of the impounded Siemens trains at the Newport rail yard yesterday and met Public Transport Safety Victoria to be briefed on the braking issue.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Melbourne may have already had the sand capability if evidence that Siemens vice-president for mobility Paul Bennett gave to a Victorian parliamentary inquiry in October had been acted upon.

Asked about the braking issue almost four months ago, Mr Bennett said: ''Some systems apply sand. This is common in high-adhesion locomotives, for example. Some rail systems around the world have trains that throw sand.''

Greens MP Greg Barber said the Government had failed to act on the braking problem quickly enough.

''The Government has known all about it, probably for years, but haven't acted,'' he said. ''Under a privatised rail system, it's about a subcontractor fighting with another subcontractor.''

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said the Government had failed to fix the braking problem that was detected several years ago.

''These problems were evident last year, they have been well recorded for a number of years and nothing has been fixed and the frustration of commuters goes on,'' he said.

Mr Bennett released a statement yesterday that said Siemens had reiterated that there were ''no problems with the brake system on the Siemens trains''.

''There are many reasons why a train may have braking issues, including track adhesion, human-machine interface, equipment malfunction, train speed and weather conditions,'' he said.

Premier John Brumby said the braking problem was a maintenance issue on a handful of trains in the system.

With DAVID ROOD

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Slip-up caused by tracks not trams

Slip-up caused by tracks not trams

    * Ashley Gardiner
    * From: Herald Sun
    * January 26, 2010 12:00A

METRO has blamed slippery tracks, not faulty brakes, for the failure of some trains to stop.

The latest sliding incident occurred on Saturday at Carnegie station.

Metro chief executive Andrew Lezala said the trains were probably not to blame.

"There is very strong evidence to suggest this is more a rail-related issue than a train-related issue," Mr Lezala said.

The findings are in line with evidence given to a parliamentary inquiry last year, during which Siemens blamed poorly maintained tracks.

Three incidents have occurred at the same location in Springvale. "There's quite a bit of dust in the area that can affect this, and the topography. We're dealing with, an environmental issue," Mr Lezala said.

The Siemens train was more susceptible to sliding because of its light weight compared with other trains.

A special adhesive to be applied to problem areas on tracks was being flown from the UK, and should arrive by the end of the week.

Metro said it still had enough trains, despite nine being pulled out of service after sliding incidents in recent weeks. During yesterday morning's peak, only six trains were cancelled.

Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said he would not nominate a time when the trains would return.

"It is unhelpful," said the minister. "The trains will be back on the rails when they're passed fit to ride."

On October 6 last year, Siemens director Paul Bennett said there was nothing wrong with the train brakes.

"The public transport infrastructure is aged and requires upgrading," Mr Bennett said.

"It needs renewal and maintenance. Areas of very low adhesion are found on the network, and this is significant when we talk about the Siemens brake issues.

"Specifically, level crossings, points, tracks, sleepers and substations are in need of replacement," he said.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Train fix fast-tracked

Train fix fast-tracked
January 27, 2010

SANDITE, the sand-based gel being rushed from England in a bid to fix the braking problem of Melbourne's rail network, is expected to arrive on Friday.

Metro Trains said the gel would be tested first, then tried on tracks known to be most susceptible to braking problems.

Nine trains have been removed from Melbourne's train network after ''overshoots'' of up to 90 metres at stations. There were three overshoots at Springvale station.

Testing has started on the nine trains, but no date has been set for returning them to service.

The impact of the missing trains on services is expected to increase as students return to school.