9.2 Fault Finding Loco

- no fuel

- isolation switch

- engine run switch

- control & fuel pump

- knife switch

- creep crank failed-N class

- brakes not cut in

- VC activated

- TPWS not acknowledged

- auto brake not in release

- brake pipe cock open

- key switch

- insufficient brake pipe pressure

- isolation switch

- Gen field

Causes:

Low water level

Symptoms:

- audible alarm

- hot engine red fault light on affected loco

- engine revs max notch 6

- yellow fault warning light in drivers panel-N class

- annunciator panel LED illuminates

Drivers Duties:

- check water level-if low-leaks

- check temp gauge

- checks fans operating

*If Low Water button pops->LOS pops->engine shuts down

Causes:

Engine speed exceeds 100RPM higher than obtained in notch 8.

- during wheelslip

- during transition

- when ground relay operates

Symptoms:

- overspeed handle-2 o’clock

- audible alarm

- blue aux Gen light

- yellow fault light-N class

Drivers Duties:

- overspeed handle to 10 o’clock

- ensure layshaft moves

- restart engine

- logbook/maintenance

*If overspeed 2nd time, reset, restart but don’t use notch 8.

Causes:

Defective traction motors.

Symptoms:

- repeated ground relays

- wheel slip light illuminates for no apparent reason

Drivers Duties:

- stop train

- reset GR button

- inspect traction motors-overheating/smoke

If no fault apparent:

- iso switch -> START

- operate traction motor cutout switch to isolate a pair of traction motors

- iso switch -> RUN

- apply power-ensure wheels don’t skid

- logbook

- watch for smoke/sparks

- throttle pos. max notch 5

NOTE:

- dynamic brake will not operate

- manual power control will still operate

- no load ammeter reading available when traction motors 2 & 4 are isolated

Causes:

- low oil pressure (less than 50-100kPa)

- engine protectors-positive crankcase/low water buttons

- dilution of Lube oil by fuel

- low oil in sump

- Lube oil system failure - leaking pipes, defective governor

Symptoms: N class

- blue aux fault light

- audible alarm - Y too

- yellow fault light

- yellow engine protector light

- LOS button pops - Y too

Drivers Duties:

- check if engine protector is set-if yes, check oil level

- if oil ok, reset LOS button, restart, check oil pressure

- if oil NOT ok, DO NOT RESTART-maintenance

-logbook

*if engine shuts down 3 times, loco disabled-maintenance

Causes:

- traction alternator producing excess voltage

Symptoms:

- yellow fault light in drivers panel on for short time

- annunciator panel LED

Drivers Duties:

- no action

- logbook - speed, throttle position

Causes:

- main Gen/alt high voltage current earths against loco

- most common GR fault occurs in traction motors

Symptoms:

- revs return to idle

- traction power cut

- audible alarm

- red GR fault

- engine shuts down if throttle in notch 5/6-Y class only

- yellow fault warning light

- annunciator panel LED

Drivers Duties:

- return throttle to idle

- reset GR button

- normal operation to continue

- note variables for maintenance-train speed, throttle position, location

*3 x with 15km-notify TC & maintenance for instructions

Starting faults:

- Open and close battery isolation switch

- Reset HEP control circuit breaker

- check deep sea panel for fault lights

- check for fuel & oil

Supply faults:

- ensure HEP engine is running

- Shut down HEP engine and restart

- Check selector switch in correct position

- Reset train line control circuit breaker

- Reset HEP output circuit breaker

- Press yellow supply on button

- Check connecting cables and dummy plugs

Notify train controller and protect the train as per procedures.

* Only replace a hose pipe on a gradient if it can be determined that the train can be safely held on the gradient by the independent brakes. If the driver considers the brakes will not hold the load, the train must be secured by applying sufficient handbrakes and request a competent worker to be sent to the site to assist.

- Secure the loco

- Apply sufficient hand brakes

- apply the independent brake

- Automatic brakes into release

Driver will take:

- Hose coupling

- reducing expanding Bush

- Hand lamp/Torch

- Shifter

- hammer

- Radio

- Biro

- Carry bag

- Replace defective hose

- inform Train controller

- conduct an MC brake test

Removing cables

Remove the multiunit jumper cable between the leading and second Locos and test the leading Loco to determine which Loco has failed. This test would be a simple power test, testing for amps when throttle notches are applied.

When there are more than two Locos continue towards the rear of the consist removing the jumper unit cables and testing individual Locos until the defective loco is found.

All Locos test OK

If after removing all jumper cables and no loco appears to be defective, the fault is most likely in a jumper cable or one of the multi unit receptacles.

- inspect receptacles for bent pins

- If pins OK the cable may be considered defective-replace cable

*If replacing the cable doesn’t fix the problem, use the receptacle on the opposite side, if this is not successful remove the jumper cable and clear the section operating with the lead loco only.

Removing cables

Remove the multiunit jumper cable between the leading and second Locos and test the leading Loco to determine which Loco has failed. This test would be a simple power test, testing for amps when throttle notches are applied.

When there are more than two Locos continue towards the rear of the consist removing the jumper unit cables and testing individual Locos until the defective loco is found.

All Locos test OK

If after removing all jumper cables and no loco appears to be defective, the fault is most likely in a jumper cable or one of the multi unit receptacles.

- inspect receptacles for bent pins

- If pins OK the cable may be considered defective-replace cable

*If replacing the cable doesn’t fix the problem, use the receptacle on the opposite side, if this is not successful remove the jumper cable and clear the section operating with the lead loco only.

RED Not to go cards

If a vehicle is found in need of repairs and not safe to travel, a RED NOT TO GO CARD must be placed in the waybill clip on the vehicle. The vehicle must be taken out of running until the defect is repaired.

GREEN For repair cards

Green For repair cards are used when vehicle requires repairs but it’s safe to travel.

No handbrake card

If a handbrake is defective a DANGER-NO HANDBRAKE card must be attached to the operating lever of that handbrake and the vehicle should also be GREEN CARDED.

Uncoupling Rod

If an uncoupling rod becomes defective a DANGER-UNCOUPLING ROD card should be attached to the defective coupling rod and the vehicle should also be GREEN CARDED.

Handrail or footstep unsafe

If a handrail or footstep becomes unsafe a HANDRAIL OR FOOTSTEP UNSAFE label should be attached and the vehicle should also be GREEN CARDED.

- Isolate the air brake on the vehicle by closing the triple valve isolating cock and operating the release valve to drain air pressure from the auxiliary res and brake cylinder

- Observe the brake cylinder piston retracts

- Confirm whether the brake blocks have been freed from the wheel

- If possible the train may be moved a short distance while the competent employee observes the wheels are rotating freely

- Driver only- mark or scratch the wheel to check the wheels are rotating

- Examine the vehicle for any further damage such as wheel flat spots or scale, damage to break blocks shoes or rigging

- if wheel is damaged use the chart to determine if the train can travel and at what maximum speed

*If a vehicle brake is cut out, attach a green card and re-calculate the braking operating percentages.

After a derailment a vehicle cannot be used again until it has been examined by:

- Carriages - train examiner

- Loco, sprinter or velocity - fitter Foreman

If a vehicle can be moved under its own power, test the brakes apply and release correctly in forward and reverse direction, run at a low speed, speed may be increased upon verification of braking performance.