Roll-by Inspections Flashcards
Roll-by inspection
a visual check of locomotives and wagons of a train
Purpose of a roll-by inspection
Identify consistent load security, train integrity and current/potential defects that affect the safe movement of the locomotive/s or train on the rail network
When roll-by inspections should be done
on arrival, on departure, en route when a train passes/crosses another train
Roll-by inspections can be performed by
Terminal Operators, train crew, qualified infrastructure or track workers
Arrival Inspection (AX)
performed as a train arrives at a terminal
Departure Inspection (DX)
Performed as a train leaves a terminal or leaves an intermediate location where the consist has been altered
En route inspection (RX)
performed as a train crosses or passes another train during a journey
During an arrival inspection, the person conducting the Roll-by inspection:
- Checks train documentation
- receives messages from driver about train condition
- checks all equipment is secure
- notes any irregular smells, smoke or noise
- Notes any observable defects
- walks the train once stopped noting slack adjuster/brake piston travel outside tollerances
- pass details to train examiner conducting full mechanical inspection
Train speed for AX
Not greater than 10km/r on arrival
During an departure inspection, the person conducting the Roll-by inspection:
- train documentation
- loading and equipment is secure on all wagons in consist
- listens for audible air leaks and wheel flat spats
- any sounds indicating sticking brakes/unreleased handbrakes
- visually examine bearings
- make sure there is no dragging/loose equipment
- abnormal sounds/defects
- end of train marker is fitted and operational
- pass message to train crew of status of their train
Train speed for DX
Not greater than 10km/h on departure
Locations for En-route inspections
Crossing loops, sidings, signal boxes etc.
RX train speed
up to mainline speed
En-route inspections are concluded by
passing a confirmation message to the crew of the train that has been inspected
As the train passes, the person conducting the En-route roll-by inspection shall
-check all loading and equipment is secure on the train
- listen for audible leaks and flat spots
- take note of any sounds that may indicate sticking brakes/unreleased handbrakes
take note of abnormal sounds/defects/smoke/irregular rumbling
-check for dragging/loose equipment
- check end of train marker is fitted and operational
- pass a message to loco crew on status of train
- report any defects to crew and to relevant Train controller and Service delivery centre
Parties that may need to be communicated with for a roll-by inspection
The area controller, the train crew, Relevant Divisional Control centre, the driver of the approaching train
Communications required when no fault is found during the roll-by inspection
-advise driver no fault was found and that the train may proceed
If the Loco Driver of a departing service has not been advised of the completion of a roll-by inspection
the train is not to continue until confirmation has been received
Communications and actions required when faults are found during the roll-by inspection
- advise the driver and stop the train (bring to stand)
- correct faults if possible
- contact service delivery supervisor who will determine how the fault is to be corrected
A train may only proceed after a fault is detected when
the loco driver received the “All Clear” from the inspector/service delivery supervisor
EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY
This is an emergency
CORRECT
yes. you are right
OVER
I have finished speaking, and I am waiting for a reply
OUT
My transmission is complete
SAY AGAIN
Please repeat all of your last statement
LOUD AND CLEAR
Your signal is strong, and every word is understood
STANDBY
Wait. I will be back to you soon
Documentation that should be accessed prior to an arrival/departure roll-by inspection
Train consist, train identification number, loco numbers, wagon identification information, loading information, dangerous goods information
Reasons for Accessing the train consist information
Confirm the train is correct and assist with making corrective decisions if required
Documentation for after a roll-by inspection
Record relevant documentation and in own route records, terminal log (if at terminal)
Information to record for roll-by inspections
Date, time, train/lead locomotive number, location, outcome
Environmental conditions to be aware of while performing roll-by inspections
Time of day (night), infrastructure arrangements/ground conditions, weather conditions, long grass, ballasted banks, uneven ground, level grossing/local traffic
When defects are detected during a roll-by
A closer inspection is needed and the situation assessed for safety requirements and to determine any potential operating requirements or repairs
When a train needs to be stopped for a closer inspection you need to create
a contingency plan
A contingency plan must include
Who and what information to communicate, any safeworking requirements or impacts to ‘normal running’, personal safety, personal isolation to the train or train, tools, PPE
Information needed prior to entering the ‘Line of Fire’
Track protection for train movements on adjacent lines, three step protection is in place, type of loading (Dangerous goods, glass), Stored energy (sprung steel), risk of being burnt by hot metal parts (wheel faces, brake blocks), a safe evacuation route, method of communication
With respect to dangerous goods, if you need to access the Line of Fire
complete a visual inspection of the wagon side checking for DG placarding, Communicate with the Driver to check the load sheet for the wagons in question and those either side for DGs content
If you suspect there are dangerous goods in a wagon you need to approach
DO NOT approach until you confirm it is safe to do so
The correct loading and securing of all freight is essential to
prevent injuries to employees and the general public, prevent damage to property, prevent damage to customer freight, ensure on time delivery of goods, prevent movement in any direction
Devices used to secure freight
chains and ropes, webbing and straps, gates and doors, container locking devices
When checking and securing devices, you should be alert for
securing devices which are not firmly done up or safely stowed, fraying knots in straps or chains, doors and gates which are not closed or secured or which are damaged
Number of twist locks that need to be secured per container
4, one per corner
At all times you should be checking to make sure loading
has not shifted, is not poorly or insecurely attached, is still inside the guage requirements for the network
Out of guage loading
a load is outside the allowable dimensions
If a wagon is safe to travel, all containers must be
in a safe sound sound condition, properly secured, loaded correctly, not leaking
Locking devices used to secure containers to wagons
Portable anchor brackets, retractable fixed twist locks (hinged/pop up), automatic twist locks, portable or marine twist locks
End of Train Matker (ETM) or Electronic Train Air Sensor (ETAS)
a device placed on the loast wagon of all trains before they depart
Why use an ETM?
Signal to the driver of a train travelling behind that they are approaching the rear of a preceding train, visual indicator that the train is complete
Benefits of a ETAS
gives train driver an indication of the status of their train by providing an end of train brake pipe pressure reading in the Loco cab
Skidded wheels
Occurs when an axle or wheel locks up while the train is moving
Skids lead to
further wheel damage and reduce the life of the bogie components
To detect a skidded wheel, be alert for
a wheel that is not rotating, smoke, unusual sounds (banging), an unusual smell of hot metal, bouncing of a wagon
Wheel Scale
a build up of metallic material on the wheel tread
Usual cause for wheel scale
sticking brakes
To check for scaled wheels, be alert for
Unusual sounds (banging), bouncing of the wagon, an unusual smell of hot metal
Wheel bearing
transfers the weight of the load to the wheel set. Usually contained in the axle box
Hot box
overheating of the bearing/axle journal/axle box assembly
Cause of Hot box/bearing failure
Lack of lubrication
Implications of not detecting a failed bearing (hot box)
the bearing may melt the journal and collapse or “screw off” or more commonly referred to as a screwed journal. This will cause a derailment
To check for axle box/bearing failures, be alert for
Grinding noises from the bearings being crushed, heat caused by metal melting, smell from the melting metal and possible accompanying skids and scale
Bogie
the part of the wagon which holds the wheel sets and brake equipment and supports the weight of the vehicle
When performing the roll-by inspection of bogies, you should be alert for
loose or missing safety loops, broken or missing springs
Brake rigging
the system of rods, levers and brake beams on the bogie which connects the cylinder with the brake block on the wheel
Dragging or damaged brake rigging indicates
that there is no brake on the vehicle which can lead to derailment and/or damage to the track
To check for issues with brake rigging, be alert for
dragging rods, levers and brake beams
Implications of air leaks
The braking of the train is affected
To check for air leaks, be alert for
the sound of escaping air from connections, smell or visibility of smoke
Implications of air brakes/hand brakes not being released
overheating occurs and can lead to locked/skidded wheels
to check for brake release issues, be alert for
Air brake cylinder pistons not in the release position, air brake blocks against the wheel, handbrake chain is not hanging correctly (smiley face)
Smoke and fire during a roll by inspection could be caused by
a fire in the loading, changed condition in relation to a load of dangerous goods, overheated bearings, locked wheels, dragging brakes
