UPDATE: Four carriages damaged by fire at Glencairn

Metrorail confirms that four train carriages, part of train number 0182 en route from Simon’s Town to Cape Town, caught alight at 13:34 this afternoon at Glencairn Station.

Preliminary reports indicate no reported injuries. Fire and Rescue, SAPS, Metrorail technical, operations and security teams are currently on-site to deal with the fire and to investigate the incident.

The incident immediately impacts all inbound/outbound Simon’s Town trains which are forced to terminate at Fish Hoek Station until further notice. Commuters are advised to make alternative transport arrangements between Fish Hoek and Simon’s Town. 

Mop up operations will be able to commence after the train has been moved to the depot where after safety tests will be been conducted to assess any possible damage to  underlying or overhead infrastructure as a result of the fire.

The cost of the damage will only be confirmed once the damaged train has been taken to the depot and PRASA’s loss adjusters have had opportunity to assessed the damage. 

End

Issued by: Marketing & Communication

Follow @CapeTownTrains on Twitter and Cape Metrorail on Facebook for regular service updates,

download GoMetro mobi-app for internet access-enabled phones / USSD *120*4668# for feature phones or call the

Transport Information Centre Toll-free 24/7 on 0800 65 64 63

  

Originally published by PRASA at https://capetowntrains.sitelio.me/latest%20news/two-carriages-damaged-by-fire-at-glencairn

Why Was My Train Cancelled?

There are many reasons why a train may be cancelled. There are four that are the most common reasons mind you. They are 

What is a track circuit?

A track circuit is a electrical device on the tracks that detect trains and inform control rooms that the train is onway.

There for.
Then a Train control operator (TCO)  know exactly that tracks need to change or signals need to set to green for movement.

But
Now If faulty, like the case we having In various areas.

Trains need to stop at red signals.
Driver need to phone local control room

He need to say he's there etc etc.

Example.
Driver stop at red signal.
He phone.

Example.
Control answer.

Driver : Morning TCO of eersterivier, driver of T3220 standing at signal ER13 at danger 🔴 (red)

Control : hello driver of T3220, I TCO Charleston give you driver of 3220 permission to proceed through faulty signal ER13 at danger 🔴
Authority number 331 at 12:00
TCO charleston speaking.

Driver : Thank you TCO

Then driver proceed.

Copy?

Regards.
Charleston

Signals Have Names Too

Signals have names also hey..
Did you know that?

Example.
Bellville is BL.
Klapmuts is KS.

Metro matters.

Regards
Charleston

A Little Appreciation

Train drivers need to be appreciated!
Train guards need to be appreciated!

They taking us home.... What if they decide "no I'm not lus for this people? .. Understand what I mean?

You think your life is in danger... Question!  - who's getting off last?  Who's going home last? ... Yes answer is simple - TRAIN DRIVERS

Repect them.. Greet them... Give them a sweety.. Give them a drink.. Give them a smile

Metro"Matters

Regards
Charleston

Cancellations Due To Operational Problems

What does that mean? Why do certain trains get cancelled and this is the excuse given?

MetroMatters

Hello Lovely people, sit back... Relax and understand

Train drivers don't only work one shift.
When a train gets cancelled, yes, commuters are frustrated, but what do we think the reason for that is?

Example no. 1
The driver and guard is first having a shift to Strand and back.
2nd shift will be from Cape Town to Wellington.
On their way back from Strand they're getting stuck due to various reasons.

What now?
If they stuck on their way back from Strand to Cape Town, the train set they're driving when it reaches CT should be the train that's going to wellington.

Example.
Train no. 3216 enters Cape Town, train number changes to no. 3529

But now they stuck in the middle of nowhere, time is passing... 3529's commuters are wondering "where's this 3529".

Therefore, its an operational problem.
Therefore the train has to be cancelled, if we continue to wait... We will be having extra delays.

Example no. 2
Train is on the platform...
Driver getting a call "Somethings happened at home"
He or she needs to attend ASAP.

If there's no driver on standby, we need to cancel due to an operational problem.

There's plenty of reasons why a train can be cancelled.

Remember.
Managers are not driving the trains, drivers are.
When a driver is pulling a train out of the yard, and already detects "this train won't make its full journey" he or she then reports it.

A train can also be cancelled due to a faulty set, for us it seems like there's nothing wrong, but its a major struggle for the driver.

I've been in one and to stand every 2 minutes due to a pantograh that comes down every time... Driver needs to reset every time🤦🏼‍♂🤦🏼‍♂

Commuters.
Look at it with different eyes and not only because you're going to be late.

Its irritating and frustrating, yes... We're losing money, we end up losing our jobs too.

Look at it from a different perspective first.

What if you're getting a call from home saying, there's something wrong.
You go home.
Who's going to do your job at work? Mmmm, interesting neh?

Cancellations can also occur if there's multiple signal problems on the line. Trains are subsequently placed in a holding pattern as a result of signal failure. To ease delays and congestion on the line certain trains are then cancelled.


Hope we all have a better understanding about this.

Regards.
Charleston

Manual Authorisations and TCO

I know we all hate standing in the middle of “nowhere” on a train with no idea of what is happening and for what seems like no obvious reason no information forthcoming. For instance, on the Southern line of late trains have been standing for anything up to 30 minutes and one can only assume this is because of issues with the drivers being able to contact TCO and obtaining authorization.

The reason may not always be obvious, but the cause is pretty much always as the result of a red signal. While most people think that it would be obvious that if the driver can see that the line ahead of them is clear, that they would then be able to continue their journey. That unfortunately is sadly not the how the system works for trains. It is illegal for a train driver to proceed through a red signal without obtaining authorization.

When a driver meets a red signal there is a complex process that must be followed. First and foremost, the driver needs to contact TCO (Train Control Officer, think the Fat Controller in Thomas). This should be a straightforward process, but unfortunately often due to varying circumstances this can take a while. When TCO are contacted by the driver, the driver needs to advise TCO who they are, what train they are driving, their location, as well as which signal they are in front of.

TCO then take this information and make the necessary checks on the line to make sure that it is safe for the driver to proceed at least to the next signal. If the line is clear, then the driver will then be authorized to proceed.

However, before the driver can move, TCO will give verbal authority to the driver and this authority must be repeated back to TCO exactly the way TCO stated it. If there is even one error in what is repeated back to TCO by the driver then the driver has to start again. This is to ensure that the driver and TCO are both clear about authority being given.

Only after this process is completed to the satisfaction of TCO is the driver allowed to proceed.

On the southern line the booms at Kenilworth are broken and need to be replaced, which is going to realistically take some time. As a result of the defective booms there are currently flag men stationed at the booms. A lot of people on the Whats App groups have been commenting on the fact that the flag men are clearly not doing their jobs correctly as they do not automatically stop the cars when a train is approaching the station.

While in an ideal world it would be amazing if this was the case, unfortunately it is far from reality. While yes, the flag men are there to stop the traffic, they are only there to stop the traffic once the driver has received authority to proceed. Again, it is illegal for drivers are not allowed to proceed through without authority.

This leads us onto another issue often raised by commuters and that is why do the trains stop just short of the platform either entering or leaving a station. Again, while it may seem logical to us that the train stay in the station if the next signal is red and the driver is aware that they are unable to proceed, and as much as the driver would love to stay in a station, it’s easier for us but it’s also easier for them, again it is something that they are not allowed to do.

While they are not allowed to proceed through a red signal without authority, they are likewise required to proceed at a green signal. If the driver does not adhere to this process then they are liable for a hearing, as well as suspension.

Code Blue in terms of Metrorail

Attention all

Metro'matters.
Procedure following a passenger related incident

I explain.


For example...Somebody is knocked by a train (or falls out)

Either the driver or guard notices it.

Immediately the emergency brakes are applied

Driver makes contact with operations to inform them that he/she applied emergency brakes because he/she suspects that an incident occurred.

Once the driver or guard physically confirms that an incident occurred, they call and report it to operations.

Operations begin to start with cancellations and rerouting plans.
Metrorail 'prasa sends out an SMS informing commuters about the incident and that there will be 60+ mins.

If the person is code blue 🔵 (Deceased)...

Paramedics and forensic services are notified of the incident and are en route, in the meantime commuters are stuck.

Delays started to build up behind this train and trains get code red 🔴 signal

As time goes by, commuters are getting more and more frustrated etc.

The scene immediately becomes a crime scene, therefore requires an investigation, this also contributes to delays

Already one hour pass

Trains standing and operations busy with plans on how to get the others on the go.

Investigation is done and paramedics confirmed that the person is code blue.

Now the most frustrating part is when we have to wait for Forensic pathology services to take the body away.

Unfortunately we are not allowed to touch the body and just move it away from the tracks etc

Eventually forensic pathology services arrives on the scene and takes the body of the deceased away.

TFR need to confirm if the line is safe for movement.

Already +- 3hours

Also metro/prasa management managers also need to confirm if the scene is clear and safe for movement.

If they confirm that its clear.
TFR can open the lines for movement
(Still delays will take place)

As commuters we are upset and cannot do anything...But please do not take your frustrations out on our drivers and guards because the situation is out of their control

Sometimes it's so difficult for drivers when having an incident like this, they are so traumatized, they need to go for counseling and most times are placed on leave.

Now the line is opened

Metrorail can operate train service on the line.

Please note
Its not every time that it takes this long.

Also the delays can be even longer because we have to wait for another driver etc.

Hope you all understand better regarding these incidents.

Please take the families of the deceased in consideration also.

Kind regards.
Charleston

Codes in Metrorail Announcements

Attention all

Railway codes and what do they mean.

Code orange 🔸-  indicate less severe problems (Sometimes we see when its code orange, a train can move with a minimum low speed)


Code red blue 🔵 - Deceased (when a person pass on Immediately on the scene I'm times of passenger related incidents) or rush to the specific location and begin immediate resuscitation.

Code Green 🎾 - Less problems (line open and train can move normal)

Code red 🔴 - Need to stop and must wait for authorities to give confirmation to proceed.
Code red also indicate - Danger ( If a train pass a red signal there's possibilities of derailments, head on head collisions, train failings etc)

Code red 🔴  are the most dangerous signal to ignore, that's why drivers obey the rules and stop when signal are red.

Regards.
Charleston'


NB:  And in terms of red signals, if the driver fails to stop at one it’s an automatic 3 month suspension and disciplinary hearing. So when you see them stop just before a station they’re not doing it for fun their job is on the line.

Jumping Trains and Crossing Tracks

I am writing this following the tragic accident that left the parents of a 16 year old boy grieving for the loss of their son, and his friends traumatized.

Just before Salt River on Friday, the train the boys were travelling on stopped and stood between stations for a while. The boys in their infinite wisdom decided to jump off the train.

As a general rule of thumb, the answer to do I jump off a train that is stationary, is always NO! Unless clearly told to be the crew of the train while they may be delayed, they may stand, you may be late for work or school, be assured that the train will move again.

If the train is stationary and you feel the need to jump off, please please please think twice, and a third time before doing so. There are multiple dangers of jumping from a stationary train.

Firstly, the train may start moving at any time, especially as generally trains stand for operational reasons not mechanical fault.

Secondly, you need to make triple sure about what is or isn't where you are going to be jumping. Firstly check the area that you are going to be jumping onto. How far is it? What is the surface you are jumping onto? But most importantly, check what is happening up and down the line. If there is a train in sight rather wait. Remember that trains even traveling at low speed take a distance to stop.

In the incident on Friday, the young man apparently jumped off the train with his friends, unfortunately his timing wasn't so good and he jumped into the path of a train. This follows a similar incident a few weeks ago with a 10 year old boy out Brackenfell way.

Please, please, please parents if you children travel by train remind them, enforce in them, that they need to treat the metal bullet that they ride on with a vast amount of respect.

As a side note to that crossing of tracks is another issue that causes many problems. I joke that unless you have metal wheels really you shouldn't be on the track. While that would be an ideal world, the reality is that people do often needs to cross tracks.

If you are going to cross the tracks then you need to treat it the way you would a road. You cannot just walk out without checking what is happening. Please stop safely before the tracks, look both ways (even more so if it is a single line stretch of track), listen to hear the train, and then actually repeat the above before crossing the track if it is safe to do so. Crossing as quickly as possible to ensure your safety.  If you see a train coming towards you, then please use some common sense and wait for it to pass before crossing the tracks.

Remember that if something where to happen to you, not only your family and friends, but also the driver and guard and all those involved in your rescue would be traumatized for life. PLEASE THINK AND BE SAFE!

Mob Justice And Intiidation

Today I was ashamed to be a commuter in Cape Town. While I know mob justice has taken place in Durban and Gauteng of late with drivers being threatened and forced to do what the mob wanted, but until today I was unaware of any such events in Cape Town.

Today however, a mob of 90 odd people surrounded a driver and guard on Cape Town Station and demanded that they make their train a 90 train (this travels the Bishop Lavis line) following trains being cancelled on that line for two hours and then they were advised that all trains on that route were cancelled.

I certainly understand the frustration of waiting hours for a train and having the trains cancelled one after the other and being unsure how or when you would get home, and to a certain point I understand why mob justice took over. I am sorry though as they had made no other enquiries or efforts to find about the trains and why they were not running on that line resorting to mob justice was not their only course of action.

I am told that although the driver and guard said that the mob was nice, they still felt threatened and were understandably worried about what could potentially happen to them if there were issues with either the train or with getting through to the end of the line.

A bad situation has now been compounded and no regard was shown toward their fellow human being who was just doing what she was ordered to do.  Yes, PRASA ultimately have to accept the responsibility of the situation as due to their failure to maintain rolling stock and infrastructure the current state of the railways is appalling, and to that their very real inability to communicate issues to the commuters has lead to the very real situation that this driver and guard faced today,  the mob mentality of just falling in with everyone else whether we feel it is acceptable or not lies squarely at the feet of the commuters.

Yes, we all understand that trains are late, overcrowded and often unsafe. And while it is the responsibility of PRASA to address all those issues, we as the commuters, and members of the communities need to start taking our share of the responsibility. There are ongoing issues with cable theft, and the vandalism of both the rolling stock as well as other parts of the infrastructure. This vandalism does not happen in isolation and there are, I am sure, people aware that their family member or friend are committing such acts. We need to stand up and be accountable and report when we know that these issues are happening and inform the police, or railway police.

The whole issue tonight, stemmed from infrastructure problems on that stretch of line and is not something that is a “quick” fix. I just hope that the driver and guard do not suffer as a result of the actions taken tonight by my “fellow” commuters.

Train Accidents or Traps

There’s been a lot of talk of accidents/traps (traps are the internal term used by Metrorail for an accident involving a pedestrian) of late and while everyone seems to sympathise with the victim and their family, I’d just like to take a moment and put the side of the drivers and guards and the other staff that are involved across. While I am neither a driver or guard nor work in any way for PRASA/Metrorail I have spoken to a few staff members and this is a collective of their experiences.

We start with the most obvious, which is the recurrent flashbacks, often at the most inappropriate time. It starts simply enough with not being able to sleep. The moment you close your eyes and your brain starts to relax and unwind, the images pop unexpectedly and uninvited into your mind and you are right back in that moment. This has the most obvious downside of you will do anything to either stay awake, or alternatively fall into a dreamless, often medicated, sleep. With this comes the next obvious step, of being constantly tired and having the constant need/desire to take short naps during the day. There is something about night-time that makes these flashbacks worse.

Another downside of these flashbacks is the very real desire to hide away from the world. Simple things like going to the shop become traumatising. The very real possibility of meeting someone you know who wants to talk to you, or even just asks that common question “How are you?” can send you right back to the scene of the accident. Even family and friends are unsure how to approach you, and either want to discuss all the details, or act as if nothing happened.

While some of the accidents/traps are an unfortunate result of the wanton overcrowding brought about by the lack of trains and the poor service delivery, or even just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, there are still those that for whatever reason decide there is no hope in their lives and feel that a train is the quickest and easiest way out.

There are the people who fall out of overcrowded train carriages, either from within the actual carriage or from between the carriages. Then there are the people who, and while I understand that you need to get to work or home again, travel on the tops of the trains. For many reasons this is one of the most dangerous places to travel, especially if you are not paying attention to where you are sitting. The pantograph, which connects the train to the very high voltage current running through the overhead cables, can and does lower. If you are not aware then you face the very real risk of being electrocuted.

It is the ones that feel the need to commit suicide that are by far the worst kinds of accident/trap that a driver or guard will face. One of the big things that remains, in all the cases, is the smell of burning or charred flesh. This is something that is very hard to get over as unlike the images which can be talked through, and while not forgotten totally are able to be processed, our sense of smell is known to trigger the most visceral and basic of responses, both good and bad. As such, this is by far the hardest part of an accident/trap to get over.

Another driver suffered from trauma brought about by someone attempting to commit suicide and despite an ambulance having been called, fled the scene of the accident. The most traumatising part of the experience was not knowing what had happened to him once he had fled the scene.

Often when someone chooses to commit suicide, the family are unaware and may well take to social media to try and locate their family member.

One driver recounted how one man had been missing a week before he jumped in front of their train. It then took the family another two weeks before they found him at the Salt River Mortuary.  They then went to social media for any information about what had happened to him and if anyone was able to assist them. While the driver was aware of the pleas for help in finding their missing loved one, at a loss or words and still in shock from what had happened, they were unable to respond to these pleas as they would not have had the answers the family would be looking for.

Eventually with counselling and time these issues do start to improve and the reliance on substances to assist you to get through the day reduces and what is now the “new” you starts to emerge, the one able to function and continue as if nothing has changed, despite everything having been permanently changed.

However, in our modern day and age the recurrence of the trauma is always just lurking around the corner. The incessant need to repost and share the graphic photos and videos of accidents is all that is necessary sometimes to take them right back to the scene of their accident. While I understand, although I don’t agree with it, that we are at an instant gratification stage of life where answers etc are always just a moment away the gratuitous need to share gruesome photos and videos whether off accidents or bullying is a trend I hope we can soon sway the other way.

As an aside to the need to share the photos and videos, a moment to consider that the victim still needs to be identified and their family informed. I know of at least once instance where the family found out a loved one had died through video shared on a WhatsApp group.

Mention also needs to be made of some of the procedure that needs to be followed by a driver or guard following an accident/trap. First and foremost, irrespective of the type of incident it needs to be reported to CMOCC, and the necessary services need to be mobilised, be it police, ambulance, fire or all of them. The driver is not allowed to move the train from the scene until cleared to do so by the investigating parties. A relief driver also needs to be contacted to come and continue driving the train as the driver involved needs to attend for medical clearance before continuing to drive the train. If as a commuter your train is ever involved in an accident/trap demanding that the driver continues the journey adds further insult and unnecessary trauma. While every step will be taken to try and speed the process along there is still a process that needs to be followed.

So yes, my sympathies are often more with the driver and the guard than the victim but remember what for you is just a means to get from A to B to the driver and guard involved in an accident/trap this is their workplace and they are required at some point to return to work in the very place where it all happened.