I agree with you guys, but sometimes my current proffession makes me think to much about the pure safety aspect before the historic ones. After pondering it for several days I keep coming back to the same conclusion that either one of these brake systems is only as safe as the person operating it. As El Coke pointed out, the straight air on the D&S was installed to simplify training for the "engineer of the month", but still wasn't idiot proof. I was involved on two different "runaways" in my time, one on the narrow gauge (#6 equipment) and one on the broad gauge with 26 equipment. In the case of the narrow gauge one, it was the quickly adapted skill (or luck) of a former main line engineer that saved us from the poor desision of a supervisor and a sure wreck. In the case of the broad gauge (involving steam) it was the built in safety features of a more modern brake system that saved us from the erogance of an un-trained "I already know it all" engineer from a sure catastrophe. I guess what I am tring to say is, if you have people that are well trained on the basic workings of #6 equipment, and can prove the skill, it is just as safe, if not more than modern equipment. As far as #26, it isn't idiot proof either, and is only as safe as the training and expertese of the person operating it. To me, continued education and trainig (as well as practice) is very important. Even though I learned on #6 and have taken a train or 2 down Cumbres, I wouldn't think of doing it again unless I had somebody like John or Earl there to make darn sure I still had a clue.
My 2 cents worth.
Ramsey
