Hellenic Train asks for written guarantees for the resumption of train traffic

“On the morning of March 25, a large piece of electrical cable was stolen on the stretch from Zevigolatio to Kiato,” Yiannis Kokkinakis, head of the central station of Athens, tells the media, starting to explain how today (27/03) not only local trains from Athens did not leave the depot until Kiato and Aigio, but also long-distance routes to Northern Greece, despite the announcement of the second phase of the resumption of train traffic.

According to Kokkinakis, the thefts in question were extensive and resulted in power outages for several minutes. “We ran for two days to fix the situation, and finally the technicians recovered the stolen cable,” he says, noting, however, that despite the damage being repaired over the weekend, Hellenic Train, for a number of reasons, did not approve today’s services. . “These services were not carried out due to the fault of Hellenic Train. ose was ready to fulfill them, but the Hellenic Train did not carry them out, taking us by surprise,” said the head of the central station of Athens.

GSM-R system and conditions
Recall that the OSE has set the condition for the safe resumption of train traffic to be located at each station two stationmasters, to have a complete picture of the movement of trains that will run at a reduced speed and on a reduced schedule.

“We have reduced the number of trains from 18 per day to 9,” Kokkinakis emphasizes.

“In addition, based on the planning we have done, two trains will never meet in the tunnels. This is controlled by the ΣΚΑ station, which has a system showing the entry and exit of trains in and out of the tunnels. The speed of trains was planned to be reduced to 80-120 kilometers per hour, depending on the line that everyone travels. In addition, the OSE from 22/3/2023 supervised the modernization of the network in terms of electrification in the Kiato-ΣΚΑ section. Tests were carried out, the work was carried out intensively. I must note that we are talking about the highest quality line that we have on the entire national rail network.”

Regarding the safe passage of trains through the tunnels along the line, Kokkinakis admits that he was told in a conversation with OSE management that ventilation, lighting and fire extinguishing systems would be repaired in the tunnels in 10 days. However, Kokkinakis emphasizes that “trains can already run today, under the above conditions.”

According to employees, the main reason Hellenic Train does not approve routes is the lack of certification of the GSM-R system, i.е. a digital system that provides communication between drivers and station masters at each point of the train route.

Kokkinakis claims that OSE supplied Hellenic Train with 30 units of this system. “We have tested and seen that this system works like a wireless one. Tests were also carried out in tunnels. In fact, the tunnels on the Athens-Kiato line are small in size. We are talking about five tunnels with a length of 1300 to 1700 meters each. The largest of which, 2.5 kilometers long, is located in Kakia Skala.

“As long as the trains don’t run, we’ll have wire thefts”

In turn, OSE Workers President Nikos Tsikalakis told reporters that the conditions put forward by OSE for the resumption of train traffic are based on the General Rules for Train Traffic, which, combined with the increased presence of workers, set the framework for the safe operation of the railway, while problems with tunnels and problems on the network in Northern Greece will not be resolved as soon as possible:

“The OSE plan is safe. As long as the trains are not running, we will have phenomena like last Saturday with the theft of the cable. As long as there is no mutual understanding between the two companies, all planned routes and the overall plan for the gradual reopening of the railway are at risk.”

“Tunnel Trouble”
Kostas Genidunias, President of Hellenic Train Workers, in turn paints a different picture than the one portrayed by OSE workers. He notes that the main problem lies in the tunnels, with the tunnel at Kakia Skala being the most problematic:

“The lack of lighting and fire safety in the tunnels is a major hurdle. During the 25 days we were preparing to reopen, shouldn’t the lighting in the gallery have to be fixed? If the reopening certificates were in writing, Hellenic Train wouldn’t have problems with getting trains, especially freight trains, which are heavily loaded, but if there are no freight trains on the Thessaloniki-Edomeni section, how will the Athens-Thessaloniki intercity service work from April 1?”

According to the workers, there are many problems on the regional network in Northern Greece (Thessaloniki-Alexandroupolis, Plati Florina and Alexandroupoli-Xanthi), related to the situation at the crossings and many other problems, which call into question the possibility of resuming the work of the railway and in this part of the country.

Written guarantees requested by Hellenic Train
Regarding the GSM-R system, Mr. Gennidounias notes the following:

“OSE says that RAS does not certify it, RAS says that OSE submitted an incomplete file, GAIA OSE, in turn, says that the system was not installed on locomotives. The truth is that both we and our fellow OSE workers we do not have accurate information on all these issues.However, as employees, we cannot replace the administration, official answers must be given.”

In an interview with Hellenic Train, a spokesperson for Hellenic Train said that for what OSE considers “a safe reopening of trains,” Hellenic Train has not received written guarantees, which it considers critical for reopening trains. He confirmed that the main concern was with the tunnels and the GSM-R system, which was not certified by the RAS. Therefore, the question of when those services that do not work as announced will finally start working remains open.

PS I hope that someone will still be able to raise his salary and start working. Otherwise, in Greece in the near future you will not see trains on the lines, and during this time the gypsies will steal all the cables for copper.

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