Report of BCRAIL Engine Cab Condition Committee Meeting
Sept. 25, 1995
by
Attendance
| David Moorhouse | Lloyd Sopel |
| Harry Ulch | Gord Younger |
| Rik Campbell | Mel Lyne |
| Rick Rutledge | Bob Colquhoun |
| John Wetzel | Dale Brewer |
| Rob Nichols | Geoffry Clarke,
Pacific Environmental Consulting |
GENERAL
Geoffry Clarke of Pacific Environmental Consulting presented an 18 page report of gas, particulate and noise testing that was done on the push between Darcy and Mons, June 27 and 28, 1995. Report finds low levels of harmful gases and particulates and periodic noise in excess of 100 dB. These results were lower than those obtained by CNR in 1990, ‘91. Levels tested are lower than maximum allowable standards set by government and WCB regulation. Report to be circulated among membership after it has been presented to General Chairmen.
Harry Ulch concerned about the limitation of the mandate of this committee; B. Colquhoun assured the committee it was ongoing.
L. Sopel suggested that future meetings be shorter, this was not agreed to as the members felt that previous meetings were not long enough.
Rob Nichols presented Joint Safety Advisory Committee report of investigation of a train - MOW near miss near Woodpecker. Report recommended a redesigned conductor’s work area to better organise forms, clearances etc., radio headsets, relocation of the hot plate, and relocation of the emergency brake lever among others. Most of these recommendations have been addressed by this committee and discussion of these issues took place later with this report in mind.
OUTSTANDING ISSUES
| 2nd blanket in stretcher kits |
35 units done, balance by Dec. ‘95
| stretcher kits on yard units |
17 done, last 7 to be done by Dec. ‘95
| GM horn relocation |
8 done, 9 more by Dec. ‘95
| Noise level in 2nd unit |
included in environmental report
| headphones |
-will be jack type, individual headphones ultimately to be supplied to all
-material enough to do CATs, to be done by 1st quarter of ‘96
-balance of fleet, budget priority
-Doug Hicks from Communications to attend next meeting to discuss headphone model options
| bell relocation |
subject to MOMA approval, answer by 1st quarter of ‘96
| anti-climber end plates |
to be included on Dash 7 upgrade, more review for GM’s
| rear door of Dash 9’s |
3 done, 1 more to be done by Dec. ‘95
| desk and lighting |
-all Dash 8’s to get flat desk, hot plate relocation, direct lighting, relocated emergency valve in the model of the 4623-26, 3 to be done in ‘95 with the 4608 1st, balance by Dec. ‘96
-options for improving the conductor’s work area with clips etc. as recommended by JASC discussed, still looking for consensus
| testing of air quality and noise in second unit |
done, report presented by Pacific Environmental
| air conditioning |
L. Sopel to request materials management to supply list of suppliers and obtain list of RR’s that use A/C for further research, R. Rutledge to continue investigation
| GM toilet room heating and insulating |
-ongoing, Sopel to supply list of those done
-road CATs done
| windshield glare |
paper towel holders painted black
should improve with overhead desk lighting to be installed
| window in door, Dash 9’s |
admit it had slipped by during rear door refit, to be done on next overhaul
| seating |
-D. Moorhouse indicated that the response to the Air Chief, high back, swivel seat installed in the 4619 has been enthusiastic and that future seat purchases should be of this type, exceptions being those purchased for GM upgrade due to lack of space behind the fridge and the middle seat of the Dash 7 upgrade, again for lack of space. Yard engines will be equipped with high-end model Baltaur seats on the engineman’s side only to accommodate engine operation. It was agreed to install a high back Air Chief seat into the 604 as originally intended for evaluation in the CAT road switcher engines. Moorhouse suggests head area cover that can be removed to be cleaned and better adjusting arm-rests, L. Sopel agreed to include regular seat cleaning as part of final terminal locomotive servicing.
-third seat installation in GM’s underway
| baggage rack installation |
design on-going
| oven |
-supply problem, 70 ovens on order, to arrive Sept.-Oct. ‘95
-brackets installed on 3 Dash 9’s these to be done by Dec. ‘95
-Dash 8’s to be done by Apr. 1, ‘96
-Dash 7’s to be done during upgrade
-Harry and Rick to recommend location for CAT’s
| toaster rack |
to be supplied by year end
| kitchen kit |
railway will not supply, to be forwarded to GC of A
| sink |
-Dash 9’s have them, Dash 8’s subject to material, 3 done balance to be done by Dec. ‘96
-R. Rutledge presented 10 litre jugs of drinking water as water supply for sink, rejected due to health concerns
-mild liquid hand soap to be supplied in dispenser
| garbage containers |
agreed rodent proofing as required by MOMA regs impractical, possibly make submission to MOMA to change regs
| speedometer |
side display to be installed in GM’s, Dash 7’s and road CAT’s
| CDU’s installed on all CAT units except 603, no plans for CDUs on 640’s |
| conductor’s table GM’s |
future tables to be made of aluminium, CAT tables behind conductors seat not satisfactory-- to be reviewed
| drinking water |
await introduction of new brand of canned water for evaluation
| fiberglass knuckle |
await AAR approval, Sopel to contact car dept.
NEW BUSINESS
| emergency locator beacon |
although this is not new, it had somehow slipped off the agenda. Harry Ulch presents quote from Canuck Mechanical for attitude indicators modified to suit requirements and send emergency signal and shut down engine in the event of excessive tilt or impact. Sopel to investigate this and other options from other suppliers
| Dash 9 emergency handles to be relocated to left knee position |
| Dash 7 side windows to be double glazed |
| visors on yard engine might benefit from clip on mirror to act as rear-view, Rutledge to obtain |
| electric engine radios on engineman’s side to be tilted up for better display |
| some sun visors do not move up and down, only side to side -- investigate |
| fill gap between desk and dash wall when desks are improved |
| supply clipboard to help organise clearances etc. -- obtain feedback from membership as to possible improvements or modifications to help organise conductor’s work area |
| New items to be submitted to chair 2 weeks prior to meeting so they may be included in agenda |
Next meeting, 0900 Mon. Dec. 4, 1995 at Prince George yard office