First Transnet driver-only freight train

[John Ashworth]

FIRST TRANSNET DRIVER-ONLY FREIGHT

On November 14, 2012 Railways Africa

On 20 August 2012, when Train 1102 left Polokwane at 12 noon and arrived on schedule at 20:18 at Pyramid South – Pretoria’s voltage change-over point – it was making history. With Patricia Mangau at the controls of the class 7E electric locomotive, the 35-wagon consist was the first scheduled main-line trip on Transnet Freight Rail to operate without a driver’s assistant in the cab. The company claims only two other countries in the world have done this previously – Brazil and Australia. The concept is still in a testing phase in South Africa, to evaluate the implications before being adopted as standard procedure. The main objective is to make more productive use of existing staff, with the promoting of drivers’ assistants to drivers, and in the process reduce the incidence of train cancellations on account of driver shortage.

[John Ashworth]

only two other countries in the world have done this previously – Brazil and Australia

Not sure about that. As far as I know driver-only operation of freight trains is standard practice in many countries, including UK.

[Steve Appleton]

I personally have some serious reservations about this from a safety managment perspective.

1. In South Africa there is no automatic way to stop a train that has passed a signal at danger (in fact also no in-cab way to warn a driver that he is approaching a signal at danger or caution) or proceeded beyond a limit of authority (in Radio Train Order or Track Warrant areas); no mechanisms such as the UK's ATP and AWS systems. If a driver misses a signal or proceeds beyond an authorised limit for whetever reason, a disaster could be inevitable. A second set of eyes in the form of the TA is intended as a double-check to help prevent that - that is an important facet of the Train Assistant's job.

2. In a number circumstances a person is needed on the ground or at the rear of the train to ensure that some movements, like shunting and train stabling are safe - checking for obstructions, checking that the train is within clearance markers, applying hand brakes and wheel scotches, etc. In addition, in the event of any problem, the TA is available to go back and inspect the train, checking couplings and brake hoses, etc, whilst the driver is remains on the locomotive and in control to prevent or deal with any problems such as a brake release or an unintended movement.

3. Lastly, in this country, crime is a serious issue. Recently a member of TFR's train staff was attacked and killed in a remote area whilst inspecting a train. Although two unarmed people on a train may not be able to prevent such an attack, at least there would be someone who could call for help and alert the authorities, hopefully preventing a similar tragedy.

[Brendon Anderson]

New Zealand also operate with only the driver too.
If this is adopted I just hope the train assistants are not promoted to drivers too quickly and that they get the necessary training and have the experience needed.

In New Zealand they even take operating on your own a step further when it comes to shunting. The diesels used are fitted with radio control and the shunters drive the locos while running around the yards doing the shunting!

[Mel Turner]

A number of the ex Queensland locomotives recently imported are set up with DOO cabs (Driver Only Operation)

For Radio controlled shunting in Chile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siTNpjv ... ature=plcp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJS8-gj ... ature=plcp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5iJVK6 ... ature=plcp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EanEfs ... ature=plcp