Locomotive News

Only going from what i was told.

Was reading the NYC subway in wiki. They introduced the "fix the broken glass" policy in 90's. ie attitude of workers and riders and those wanting to commit crimes is set by their surroundings. So introduce what looks to be like 30 year old QR throw aways "again" and the workers, customers and people just see that, nothings changed. Keep the locos a new paint job, full service and test as you say. It gives the impression, "we are trying." Well thats the theory.

I had a boss introduce this a few years back, he said any damage or breakage much be repaired, no one is to use ongoing broken equipment, otherwise the "accidental" damage will never stop. I think it worked as we saw progressively the repair bill drop by half in 12mths.

Regards

Shane

Do we have a current update on the whereabouts etc. of the 'new' 2150 and 2151?

There doesn't seem to be any obvious mention of the arrival on the TasRail website.  I would have thought this was sufficiently newsworthy - 1st purchase of locos, and also the new 'youngest' in the fleet.

Cheers,
DPJ

At East Tamar still. And perhaps TasRail don't want news due to being not brand new locomotives as such, just a stop gap measure.

Perhaps TasRail will issue a press release when the first loco is put into action.

Any update on potential renumbering? Perhaps 2030 'class', or 2050, or even added to 2020 grouping considering broad similarities with the Ds.

Cheers,
DPJ

My thinkings regarding pressing locos into service whilst they await a splash of paint is that that s exactly the difference in all reality.  Whos kidding whom.  Once they aere good to go , and earn a dollar thats exactly what they ought to be doing, not waiting for a lick and a promise of "newness" .  If it were my business id want them plying theri worth adn getting some make-up second.

Its a railway...not a fashion parade. its all well and good to present a company image but whats going to imnpress a business partner more... that your logistics is concerned with getting someting done...lor looking like it is ?

The average Joe Public couldnt give a fig...a train's a train. The typical customer only wants his goods moved in a timely manner. he wont care how your loco is dressed.

Mutton dressed up as lamb is still mutton. Handy, strong and servicable mutton but still mutton. Youre not fooling anyone. Theyre stop gap locos. They might end up hanging around for a while  but youd save youre real song and dance for the real  NEW locos ..all shiny and squeeky clean, resplendent in company garb etc.

Every day theyre not earning money theyre costing you money.

Business is business.

just my 5c

I partly agree with you in getting them to work as quickly as possible with probably a few niceities for latter, but think of it this way. PNT's locos were usually covered in black grime to the point that the loco numbers were barely visible. QR's locos are usually resonably clean and I've heard a union rep mention unless the cabs were cleaned interally they were not to be used.

Now, who would you rather work for? Someone who by the time you get to your office, you'd sleeve is covered in soot and just doing your basic checks leaves you looking like you worked in a coal mine for 12hrs, or one were you can do your checks or what ever wearing gloves but without fear looking like darker than midnight? Same goes with the guys who maintain them and the people on the street perception of rail supposed to be environmentally friendly yet the loco looks like a mobile oil spill!

As I said I worked for a Manager who applied the NYC subway fix broken windows model and leave the way you want to find it at work a few years back, all I can say it works.

Regards

Shane

Theres a difference between a clean and servicable loco and one thats uncared for and a rolling qork of oil.  Clean is clean..paint is paint > I dont really see the corelation.

It can be clean and "logo'd" without a new slap of makeup.  By al lmeans repaint it. It would be

Its not that, QR may have a clause into when buying locos/wagons off them. Once in your state, needs to be painted. Who knows, the may still own the colours on the two bring ins.

Its bit like when PN left Tasmania here, all PN logos/signage had be gone in 12 months.

The x QR locos didn't look too bad from a distance, but I have heard that they are rusty, apparently caused by the ore they were hauling. But if the paint is fair, just get rid of the QR logos and set them to work, they have a much better looking livery than the new Tasrail grey and yellow, and have arrived in the state much cleaner than many of the locos we have here. And as was said in this thread, the average punter would not care.

One has a bit of rust on the roof. I saw that when i saw them a bit closer than what i thought.

I'm surprised that didn't paint them over before they left themselves, just to distance themselves from the "train wreck" they left behind (Pun part intended).

Regards

Shane

That costs money, something PN were reluctant to spend.

I wonder if they came with the caveat "To be scrapped in Tasmania or exported, no resale within Australia"

Well when QR2370 came to WA it ran with its Bronco Colours in Geraldton  for a month before it went back to Perth. Never know though with Railway Companies, they might just chuck on tasrail logos on the side.

At the end of the day, if there is a genuine need for them to be in service asap, they will simply lose their QR logos in the short term and be painted at a convenient time.  If they are for "future" services, or to displace existing locomotives then they will probably be TR corporatised first.

Remember that it would not be the first time locos have operated in this state wearing legacy "corporate" colours.  With the sale of PNT to the government, it was only a requirement to lose the PN name, not the colour scheme.

Life was so much simpler when all locomotives were painted black........

Two ex QR National locomotives are at East Tamar in the Main Workshop where they are undergoing modifications to enable them to operate with the existing locomotive fleet. These include:

Air System

• Convert 4 pipe air system to three pipe air system to enable running with the existing Locomotive EMD Compatible Fleet

• Modify headstock piping to both sides of coupler to match with existing Tasrail Locomotives.

Safety Equipment

• Fit Kaitiaki Vigilance and Data logger System

• Fit 300 watt ditch lights and headlights.

• Fit flasher units to ditch lights.

• Fit new warning horn.

• Fit new radios.

Locomotive Equipment

• Fit Banlaw fuelling equipment.

• Repairs to rust in bodywork, pipes, spot prime and touch up QR paint work.

• Remove QR Logos and fit Tasrail Stickers and renumber.

• Carry out locomotive ‘C’ Service.

• Commission and Test.

Does this info come from a publication or document of some sort?

Cheers,

DPJ

Why do you ask? I might not want to reveal my source.

What differences are there in operation between the 3-pipe and 4-pipe system?

Dont these locos already have ditchlights ?

How would they not be compatable with any other EMD or emd-able locos ?

just asking

the rest seems pretty straightforward and logical.

The ditch lights on Qld rollingstock do not flash. There must be some reason for replacing them for compatibility.

cheers..interesting

Flashing ditch lights are an extra safety feature,  when the horn is blown the ditch lights flash.  Nothing to do with any compatibility issue with other locos.

Am only guessing but presume he meant compatable with the fleet's standard safety specs etc