Mike Bristow wrote:

but I didn't read of any injries caused by
contact with a live rail.

News to me, too.

Basically the same story appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald...

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We can cope with attack on train: fire chief
By Andrew Clark
August 9, 2005 - 12:08PM

The head of NSW's fire service has sought to reassure the public that
his force could cope with a terrorist attack on an underground train,
following expressions of doubt from one of his right-hand men.

Sydney's emergency services are as well prepared for an attack, if not
better, than those in London, said the fire commissioner, Greg
Mullins.

He said $80 million had been spent on walkways, lighting, improved
public address systems and evacuation plans.

"It's extremely important that we get on with our lives and we don't
raise a white flag to terrorism because this city is as prepared as it
can be at any one point in time," he said.

One of his senior colleagues, fire superintendent Michael Guymer, told
a newspaper yesterday that the City Circle - between Circular Quay and
Central - was a "concern" because of a lack of access to tunnels.

Sydney has few service tunnels or entry points to the network other
than at stations.

However, Mr Mullins insisted that trains were never further than 500
metres from a station platform. Thermal imaging cameras, long-duration
breathing apparatus, long-distance hoses and a special underground
fire vehicle were available to tackle any emergency, he said.

RailCorp's chief executive, Vince Graham, defended automatic doors,
which are thought likely to lock passengers inside trains in the event
of a fire.

Mr Graham pointed out that two people caught in London's terrorist
attacks were electrocuted because they tried to walk unaided down a
live line.

"That underscores the fact that it's important to try and keep
passengers in the safest possible place," Mr Graham said.


http://smh.com.au/articles/2005/08/0...353298280.html

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Bill Bolton
Sydney, Australia