TFR driver-only freight train working

[John Ashworth]

DRIVER-ONLY FREIGHT TRAIN WORKING

[Steve Appleton]

I know that driver-only working is common on many modern railways including South Africa's Metrorail services. However, driver-only working on freight (and maybe passenger trains too) trains over boring and monotonous long distances fills me with trepidation not only because of vigilance and alertness issues but also because there can be occasions where the driver may have to leave the cab whilst in section to attend to the train for various reasons; brake coupling, train inspection, etc. This would leave nobody competant at the loco controls to deal with any issues that might suddenly occur, such as a runaway.

Choosing the "northern line" for trials is interesting because, like all South African mainlines, there is no in-cab signal warning and automatic train stop system (such as ATP, AWS, etc) but also because, north of Pienaars River, trains and their crossings are controlled not by signals (there are only points indicators) but by Radio Track Warrant issued from a control centre far away and written down on a form by the crew. It would seem to me to be very easy to miss a planned crossing with nothing and nobody else on board to double check where the train is and to compare that to the limit of the issued warrant.

What do qualified drivers and assistants think? Do I worry unnecessarily? Perhaps the implementation of in-cab GPS may provide a solution? If so, who sets it up and can it issue a warning as the limit of authority approaches? Answers not on a postcard, but posted here please!

[John Ashworth]

I share your concerns, Steve, particularly leaving the footplate unmanned if the driver has to walk back down the train to deal with a brake leak or for any other reason.