Seems to me that single-locomotive operation on long passenger trains over long stretches of long hot desert is kind of risky. Have the locomotives been pretty reliable??
Train horns save lives, but here in California they are trying to silence them with so-called "Quiet Zones" where engineers are not allowed to use them. "QZ" level crossings have 4-quadrant gates and special warning signs that read "NO TRAIN HORN" to warn motorists. The engineer may use the horn only if he feels that there is immediate danger. I don't agree with the "QZ" laws. Horns should be used at all times, because here in the US, we have been conditioned to expect them at ALL crossings.
@DaveWVideo As a train driver for more than 30 years I will continue to argue that the horn is generally a waste of time and it becomes background noise when used to excess. If the only time that you heard one was when danger was imminent you would take more notice of it. The QZ laws are the future.
@Rocketboy1950 I understand your point, and I agree to a certain extent, especially when it comes to issues of noise pollution. Sadly, because American railroad "whistle" rules go back for generations, Americans have been conditioned to expect loud horns blaring away at them when a train is approaching. I think it will take awhile for us to be "re-conditioned,", and in the meantime, I hope nobody dies at one of these "Quiet Zone" crossings because they "didn't hear the horn."
@kmillard No these were built here in Australia. We used to have a good railway manufacturing industry. We still build nearly all of our locomotives here using GE or EMD parts. The iron ore companies buy then straight from the US/Canada plants because they do not have size or weight issues up there in the Pilbara. Unfortunately Chinese locos are on the way and most of our wagons are coming out of China now as well.
Another great "on the spot video" from the man himself.
Although economical,it is a risky business utilizing only one locomotive on prestige passenger trains.We at A.N found this out when operating these trains on single track working and in remote areas.A locomotive failure results in unhappy passengers and major time delays.Some early ELs caused some problems with traction motor problems when operating on long distance passenger trains but was minimal and of course economics ruled the day!
Didn't we have this discussion somewhere else . We simply do not subscribe to the nonsensical overkill that occurs in the US. The less the whistle is heard the more it is listened to when it is used for a good reason.
@Rocketboy1950 You may call it nonsensical overkill in AU, but US motorists just don't have the respect for trains that we should have. Even when there are gates and lights we will drive around them, or try to beat the train to the crossing. The added warning of the horn, sounding a continuous "two longs, one short, and one long" is meant to to announce the train's presence in a meaningful and intimidating way. Even with all that, we still have hundreds of level crossing fatalities every year.
whats the point of Train Whistle posts when the engine drivers almost never use the horn? in the US when there is an X or a W or a post with a 2 long a short and a long on the post thats how the engineer is supposed to sound the whistle, do the drivers of trains in australlia even blow horns when apporaching a whistle post?
They blow their horn when they are approaching any crossing where the road meets the tracks and they eveen blow their horn when you are walkin along/next to the track with no crossing to tell you 2 get the fuck outta the way
This is purely awesome ... seeing the two best trains in the country together :) Can't wait to travel on both of them!
roseanne74 8 months ago
How old are those carriages and are there any plans to replace them?
clubpenguin777 1 year ago
@clubpenguin777 I don't know ( twice )
Rocketboy1950 1 year ago
Seems to me that single-locomotive operation on long passenger trains over long stretches of long hot desert is kind of risky. Have the locomotives been pretty reliable??
kmillard 1 year ago
@kmillard They have. Failures are quite rare .
Rocketboy1950 1 year ago
I always see it when im coming back from clare via blyth n balaklava
thatstheone87 1 year ago
Train horns save lives, but here in California they are trying to silence them with so-called "Quiet Zones" where engineers are not allowed to use them. "QZ" level crossings have 4-quadrant gates and special warning signs that read "NO TRAIN HORN" to warn motorists. The engineer may use the horn only if he feels that there is immediate danger. I don't agree with the "QZ" laws. Horns should be used at all times, because here in the US, we have been conditioned to expect them at ALL crossings.
DaveWVideo 1 year ago
@DaveWVideo As a train driver for more than 30 years I will continue to argue that the horn is generally a waste of time and it becomes background noise when used to excess. If the only time that you heard one was when danger was imminent you would take more notice of it. The QZ laws are the future.
Rocketboy1950 1 year ago
@Rocketboy1950 I understand your point, and I agree to a certain extent, especially when it comes to issues of noise pollution. Sadly, because American railroad "whistle" rules go back for generations, Americans have been conditioned to expect loud horns blaring away at them when a train is approaching. I think it will take awhile for us to be "re-conditioned,", and in the meantime, I hope nobody dies at one of these "Quiet Zone" crossings because they "didn't hear the horn."
DaveWVideo 1 year ago
The coaches look like American coaches from the 1950s.
soshmed1943 1 year ago
@soshmed1943 I think that you'll find these to be a bit more up to date
Rocketboy1950 1 year ago
@Rocketboy1950 Are the also built by the Budd Company like American streamliners were or is there an Australian company that manufactured them??
kmillard 1 year ago
@kmillard No these were built here in Australia. We used to have a good railway manufacturing industry. We still build nearly all of our locomotives here using GE or EMD parts. The iron ore companies buy then straight from the US/Canada plants because they do not have size or weight issues up there in the Pilbara. Unfortunately Chinese locos are on the way and most of our wagons are coming out of China now as well.
Rocketboy1950 1 year ago
which is the longer of the two?
bonzoAU 1 year ago
@bonzoAU Changes according to passenger demand.
Rocketboy1950 1 year ago
5* from germany
schweiz1981 1 year ago
Comment removed
902107910 1 year ago
What a great video! Thanks!
clusterfak 1 year ago
I hardy ever hear the engines on US trains because the horns are always blowing...
These vids are an exception to that.
Less horns more engine sounds!
LordGeorgeRodney 2 years ago 7
LOL the pile of junk on the right visible in the first 5 minutes. Obviously they've "met" before!!!
moncheej1974 2 years ago
Another great "on the spot video" from the man himself.
Although economical,it is a risky business utilizing only one locomotive on prestige passenger trains.We at A.N found this out when operating these trains on single track working and in remote areas.A locomotive failure results in unhappy passengers and major time delays.Some early ELs caused some problems with traction motor problems when operating on long distance passenger trains but was minimal and of course economics ruled the day!
ufn489 2 years ago
Didn't we have this discussion somewhere else . We simply do not subscribe to the nonsensical overkill that occurs in the US. The less the whistle is heard the more it is listened to when it is used for a good reason.
Rocketboy1950 3 years ago 8
@Rocketboy1950 Blowing the horn saves lives !
soshmed1943 1 year ago
@soshmed1943 This is a subject on which you can tell me NOTHING. I have been a train driver since 1975.
Rocketboy1950 1 year ago
@Rocketboy1950 You may call it nonsensical overkill in AU, but US motorists just don't have the respect for trains that we should have. Even when there are gates and lights we will drive around them, or try to beat the train to the crossing. The added warning of the horn, sounding a continuous "two longs, one short, and one long" is meant to to announce the train's presence in a meaningful and intimidating way. Even with all that, we still have hundreds of level crossing fatalities every year.
DaveWVideo 1 year ago
whats the point of Train Whistle posts when the engine drivers almost never use the horn? in the US when there is an X or a W or a post with a 2 long a short and a long on the post thats how the engineer is supposed to sound the whistle, do the drivers of trains in australlia even blow horns when apporaching a whistle post?
andybowe 3 years ago
They blow their horn when they are approaching any crossing where the road meets the tracks and they eveen blow their horn when you are walkin along/next to the track with no crossing to tell you 2 get the fuck outta the way
hazzadogger 2 years ago
Thats very true or the also blow the horn when you wave to them.
Gavsta10 1 year ago
so as to not make a nuisance for those who DONT like horns and whistles
sdfg88 2 years ago
Great Video !!! Awesome Train !!! 5*
alan990 3 years ago
Sounds like a GE on the end!
bigdog927fm 3 years ago
correct
Rocketboy1950 3 years ago
Loved it. Cheers!
EsquireOfTheEstate 3 years ago
Great video!!!
NR54trailerail 3 years ago
Awesome
slumdogindia 3 years ago