Comeng - Sticking Brakes, Skidding Wheels

Question 1

What are the 3 dangers with skidding wheels?

Answer 1

Risk of track damage
High possibility of derailment if lead wheels
Damage to wheels

Question 2

What 3 actions can cause skidding wheels?

Answer 2

Heavy brake applications
Sticking brakes
Mechanical failure

Question 3

When coasting in a motor or trailer car, what fault light can indicate skidding wheels?

Answer 3

Steady wheel slip

Question 4

When powering, in a motor car what fault lights indicate wheel slip on a motor car?

Answer 4

Flashing line switch and local

Steady wheel slip

Question 5

When Rheo braking, what fault lights could indicate skidding wheels?

Answer 5

Steady wheel slip and this car

Question 6

Why are skidding wheels not obvious to a driver?

Answer 6

Retardation on the train is negligible
Smoke or smell less obvious
Sounds may not be apparent

Question 7

How would a driver confirm skidding wheels?

Answer 7

Mark the suspected wheel with ballast and move forward checking for rotation
Driving forward with a competent employee looking

Question 8

What is the speed limit for skidding wheels when clearing the section?

Answer 8

5km/h

Question 9

Can a train with skidding wheels on the lead motor be driven forward?

Answer 9

No as you could derail

Question 10

Where should a driver take extreme care over when dragging skidding wheels to clear the section?

Answer 10

Guard rails, cross overs, facing points

Question 11

Can a driver setback with trailing skidding wheels?

Answer 11

No only forward

Question 12

Who will protect the line after a train has cleared the section with skidding wheels?

Answer 12

Flag signallers

Question 13

Who inspects the track after a train with skidding wheels has cleared the section and what must they do?

Answer 13

Infrastructure personnel who will

Examine the line and either stop or advise all trains behind to travel at a reduced speed

Question 14

If the track can’t be inspected, what speed will track force protection instruct drivers to travel over the affected piece of track?

Answer 14

15km/h

Question 15

What indicators would you get for sticking brakes?

Answer 15

Retardation of train
Smoke
Observation of brake cylinders
Fault lights

Question 16

What does the dump valve release pressure from to apply an emergency or full service brake?

Answer 16

Auxiliary res

Question 17

What pressure does the dump valve reduce for a brake application?

Answer 17

415kpa for a Knorr

425KPA for a westcode

Question 18

In running, what is the procedure to release a sticking brake?

Answer 18

Check there are relevant pressures and no audible flow from charging valve
Trip EP circuit breaker and make full service application and release
Check for smoke or retardation
If rectified book as rectified in running and if not stop and commence fault finding in stationary

Question 19

What is the procedure for sticking brakes when stationary?

Answer 19

Ensure pressures are correct
Perform rapid succession of EP from step 7 to run and release
Apply minimum power and coast to feel for retardation
If rectified book as rectified in running

Question 20

If stationary procedure for sticking brakes doesn’t work, what is the next step?

Answer 20

Lodge a tech call
Make PA and obtain reactive track access
Full cab unattended
Inspect brakes and wheels for excessive smoke or heat
When found determine if it is park brake wheel or entire bogie
If bogie isolate it
If brakes don’t come off or bogie isolate continues to vent isolate and manually release spring park brake
Book as per FMP

Question 21

What is the speed restrictions for up to 2 bogies isolated on a 6 car or 1 on a 3 car?

Answer 21

No speed restrictions up to 60km/h then 10 below track speed

Question 22

Are trains with sticking brakes permitted to enter the loop?

Answer 22

No unless faults have been rectified or isolated

Question 23

If already in the loop and sticking brakes has occurred, what should the driver do?

Answer 23

TEC call
Train control will stop all trains from entering the loop
Driver stops short of platform and tries to identify and isolate the fault

Question 24

If fault in the loop cannot be rectified but train can be moved, what is the procedure?

Answer 24

Inform TC
Move to platform at extreme caution
Passengers de trained at platform
Wait for fleet maintenance to arrive

Question 25

If fault in the loop cannot be rectified but train cant be moved, what is the procedure?

Answer 25

TEC call
De train passengers when safe to do so
Remain stationary until fleet arrives

Question 26

If SPB won’t release what is the procedure?

Answer 26

Check main res pressure
Ensure circuit breakers are set
Check position of reverser

Press train lined SPB 3 times and hold for 5 seconds

If this fails go and manually release them all