Southern Shorthaul Railroad's (SSR's) emergency response procedures did not include requirements for banking locomotive operations.
ATSB/OTSI is satisfied that SSR's updated emergency response work instructions for the sudden loss of brake pipe pressure during banking operations has adequately addressed the safety issue.
On 30 January 2024, SSR advised that it had raised a corrective action to review its risk assessment that applied to banking operations, including the hazard of unplanned uncoupling events and the necessary train crew response. WIM 63001 (Policies and general train operations work instruction manual) and its banking operations work instructions were to be updated accordingly.
On 27 June 2024, SSR conducted testing and as a result issued notice 62534 (losing the air – response for bankers & DP [distributed power] operations), which described the response to a sudden loss of brake pipe pressure in this operating configuration, as opposed to head end operations; specifically:
After conducting testing, it has been determined that the most suitable response when losing the air for banker or DP locomotives is:
Banker/DP Only: If there is a sudden reduction in brake pipe pressure to zero whilst a train is underway, bail off with the locomotive independent brake and immediately reapply the independent brake to achieve a brake cylinder pressure of ~100-150kpa to bring the locomotives to a stand. Brace yourself in case there is an impact.
In addition, it reviewed and updated its risk assessment for the Ardglen banking operation to contain this information.
Further, SSR advised that WIM 63001, notice 62269 (Ardglen banking procedures) and other related documents will contain this information when they are next updated.
