(AUS)Commuters face day of chaos as wind blasts state

[Pakenhamtrain]

From the Sydney Morning Herald:

Commuters face day of chaos as wind blasts state

 

Amy Corderoy

July 6, 2011

 

SYDNEYSIDERS are preparing for more extreme weather after 33,000 people were left without power and three people were injured when two trains were hit by falling trees last night.

 

Gales of up to 140km/h brought down trees, power lines and traffic lights, caused commuter chaos and delayed domestic arrivals at Sydney Airport.

 

At Medlow Bath in the Blue Mountains, paramedics were called to treat three people when a train reportedly carrying 20 passengers had its front carriage crushed by a falling tree.

 

The three were assessed at the scene and one with minor head injuries was taken to Blue Mountains Hospital, an ambulance spokeswoman said. Paramedics initially had trouble reaching the site because fallen trees were blocking the roads, and the fire service had to be called in to clear debris, she said.

 

The CityRail train was heading west and was close to the Medlow Bath station when the tree fell across the carriage, a NSW police spokeswoman said. She said the uninjured passengers were transported on buses for the remainder of their journey.

 

In a separate incident, an eastbound XPT was also struck by a tree as it was travelling between Blackheath and Medlow Bath but no one was injured.

 

A RailCorp spokeswoman, Marianne McCabe, said a repair crew was assessing the CityRail train. All trains had been suspended between Lawson and Lithgow because fallen trees had blocked the tracks.

 

The weather bureau recorded winds of between 60km/h and 110km/h across NSW yesterday. The strongest recorded were at Mount Bryce on the central tablelands, with gusts peaking at 140km/h.

 

A bureau forecaster, Chris Webb, said more strong winds were expected this afternoon and evening, with winds reaching their worst early tomorrow.

 

The State Emergency Service received more than 970 calls, most of which were from the Blue Mountains, southern highlands and some Western Sydney suburbs, a spokesman, Dave Rose, said. The service had also been called to assist the NSW fire service and police rescue when a nursing home in Leura sustained roof damage.

 

Endeavour Energy said about 33,000 customers were likely to be without power overnight after the winds caused widespread damage to its network.

 

with AAP

 

 

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/commuters-face-day-of-chaos-as-wind-blasts-state-20110705-1h0ya.html#ixzz1RIZ0cwAP

 

V13 was the train involved. Car DCM8028 has suffered major damage:

http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2011/07/05/1226088/439829-medlow-bath-train.jpg

http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2011/07/05/1226088/440049-medlow-bath-train.jpg

 

The Blue Mountains Line is closed between Katoomba and Lithgow until Monday.

[Pakenhamtrain]

 

DCM8028's damage. The 7 other cars(3 from V13 and one from another 4V) have been towed to FMC. DCM8028 is still up there.

 

DCM8028 has now been lifted off the tracks and the word is it's going to meet the scrappers torch there and then.

[TTC mech]

DCM8028's damage. The 7 other cars(3 from V13 and one from another 4V) have been towed to FMC. DCM8028 is still up there.

 

DCM8028 has now been lifted off the tracks and the word is it's going to meet the scrappers torch there and then.

Must've been SOME tree...