Work continues to keep up with the ever changing regulatory environment for heritage. This responsibility is providing a substantial workload for the Rail Safety Manager.

EMERGENCY DISASTER EXERCISE - September 2009

On Wednesday 23 September SteamRanger in conjunction with various emergency and other services conducted a disaster exercise based around a collision between SteamRanger's Southern Encounter and a road truck which failed to stop at the Stop sign on Native Ave at Mt.Barker. The incident saw the leading wheels of the locomotive derailed and the locomotive on a lean with the last car and the errant truck blocking through traffic on Native Ave.

The initial advice from the scene came from SteamRanger's Guard, who in this case was Ted Mason, to the duty train controller, Peter Blake, and advice to 000 for assistance. The driver of the day was in a confused state and we had a fireman on for his first solo trip. Peter Charlson played the dual loco crew role as well as action as SteamRanger's Public Officer and having to deal with the media. Margaret Blake represented the buffet personnel on the train whilst Bev Sawyer had the role of Booking Officer. Operations Manager Brian Busch's role was one of Operations and Safety Manager attending the site to assist with immediate recovery and setting up of the longer term requirements with Mechanical Services and Infrastructure. He also had the ability to provide relief to the train controller to overcome issues of fatigue management.

Even though the police were not far away, the emergency services indicated that the first on the scene would be an ambulance closely followed by the police. A major role for the police would be establishment of a command post and preserving all evidence by stopping by-standers wandering around the site. The Mt.Barker Hospital; responded that on the night in question they were able to take a number of casualties. When it was realised the restricted access which is in place, the role of the police in blocking access to non essential person came even more important. Other agencies such as the local roads body would be called to set up detours with the CFS and SES assisting in the evacuation of injured passengers.

SteamRanger's main task was the welfare of all passengers and keeping them informed of what was happening viz treatment of the injured as a priority and then their removal by bus to a staging point so that the police cold collect names and addresses in case of the need to l ay criminal charges against the truck driver. SteamRanger also needed to call for loco 507 to come as far as Strathalbyn until the site could be released and passengers cleared to remove all of the cars back to Goolwa Depot.

Questions were asked about recovery of the derailed locomotive - a task for the next day after further evidence of derailments marks and other damage had been taken. A need to empty the boiler without letting the water run into paddocks and then, probably about Tuesday, jacking the locomotive back onto the track with 507 providing braking from the rear and the media at arms length getting footage to show business continuity.

We also indicated that we would seek information from ARTC or GWA about the location of Trauma Counselling which would be offered to our train staff.

What did SteamRanger learn?

• A need to introduce incident logs for Train Controllers.
• A check sheet for on train personnel reminding them of who to advise etc.
• The need for a SteamRanger ID in safety vests and the wearing of tabards by incident staff attending the site.
• On the Southern Encounter and the Highlander the benefit of having booking details through our on-line bookings was highlighted but we need to be able to capture how many children under the age of 5 on the train.
• Generally our Incident Management plan was shown to be robust.

In accordance with national rail standards volunteers acting in a range of positions are required to undergo health assesments at a level appropriate to their duties.

First Aid Training

First aid training to Senior First Aid level is mandatory for nominated SHR positions and other volunteers are encouraged to undertake voluntary training.. SteamRanger reimburses volunteers for 2/3rds of the costs involved. A high proportion of volunteers have now completed training.

New Volunteers

It is encouraging to see a number of new volunteers joining SHR. Andrew McDonough has taken the opportunity to circularise existing volunteers to encourage them to make them welcome and assist them in integrating into our team. Recent new faces include James and Maria Shelby-Stewart and Tony and Christa Birk.

Safe Working Training

Courses are conducted on a continuing basis. For the first time we have invited a couple of 17year olds to attend as part of their learning program. They will ber offered further refresher training when they reach 18years. The HR Manager is hopeful that this initiative will encourage more young people to join our volunteers.

Train Attendant Training

South Coast volunteers Bruce Roper and Alan Potter have taken on organisation of training for local volunteers. Much appreciated!

Human Resources Manager Andrew McDonough

Rail Safety Manager Brian Busch

Andrew brings skills and enthusiasm gained as a senior manager for an major international appliance manufacturer and has quickly gained the confidence of volunteers as very approachable team leader in the often tricky field of human resource management. He has a good "coal face" knowledge of SteamRanger operations through being a fully qualified guard, stationmaster and ticket officer

Brian recently retired as Safety Manager of the Australian Rail Track Corporation and is highly qualified in rail safety investigations, having commenced employment with the SA Railways in 1965. He was a major contributor to the rule book review and ISA 9000 certification and carried this through to developing the SHR Rail Safety Manual and Operations Procedure. He has been a SteamRanger volunteer for 43 years, most of the time as ARHS Treasurer, and is qualified as a SHR stationmaster, guard and train controller, and also fills the position of SteamRanger Operations Manager.