Train on idle

[Dot]

Sitting here in downtown Manangatang next to the railway line, there is a very long train just sitting there and has been there since 5pm with his engines running?? Anyone know why? Geoff maybe? they said it may be there till around midnight.

[BernieQ2]

Lots of reasons Dot. Keep air compressor running. Brakes , takes a long time to restart, and stuff like that.
Bernie

[Dot]

Thanks Bernie.

[Keith Morris]

Sitting here in downtown Manangatang next to the railway line, there is a very long train just sitting there and has been there since 5pm with his engines running?? Anyone know why? Geoff maybe? they said it may be there till around midnight.

Check if the train crew are in the pub looking for the skimpies

[bob r]

Gotta keep the air conditioner going if it's hot or the heater If it's cold.

Bob

[native pepper]

My youngest brother used to drive big diesel freight trains and is now head of rolling stock and scheduling for vic rail. He told me many years ago they have to keep the engines running when on a operating line, even at a siding, this is if something happens they can move the train instantly.

He says there were times when they sat at a siding for up to ten hours waiting to move and kept the diesels running, as they create all the electricity to drive the engines and it can take up to 1 hour from starting the engine to being able to move on a long train, because of the need to buildup air and other safety requirements. If they shut down they have to go through the entire check list and inspect the entire train length to make sure everything is right, so they keep chugging away no matter how long they are going to sit there.

[Jatz]

As a past fitter on NSW Railways, I find an hour to build up air pressure would be quite significant. I'd be looking for air leaks if that was the case. And the electricity for the traction motors is there as soon and the diesel engine is started. Agree that safer to let them idle, as cooling down for a time could lead to many problem when the time arrived to depart.

[Dot]

thank you boys

[Lance]

How long did it stay for Dot, was about midnight a good call ?
Were you able to sleep or was it too disruptive ?

[Dot]

Lance the train got going at around 1130pm and it was interesting to see it had little blue lights on the sides of the carriages. We sleep through anything so never worries us..