Well I'm sceptical of the whole thing.

I'm no expert but how does a thin metallic balloon short out wires as thick as a thumb or more?

Is there any footage of this balloon and shorted out wire taken by commuters or rail staff?

If not, why not?

Is it possible this balloon story is just a cover-up for more serious issues with the rail network?

No, this the same link;
http://tinyurl.com/y8qhd7dn

Install it on your menu bar.
Get the tinyurl link for the bar at tinyurl.com

Save a lot of hassle.
The way to make the original clickable is to edit the https to be http

When the balloon shorted the 1500 vdc a large amount of current would
have passed through it and the arc would have lasted long enough for
the protection equipment to have operated.
Not knowing the cause someone would have had to go and have a physical
look. That means getting the power turned off, finding where it
happened, taking a ladder in, removing it and then getting out and
turning the power back on.
It all takes time.

Paul:

"No Butch, we should not sanitize the news for fear of offending people, or causing distress, or even creating copy cats."

A great argument for ditching 18c.

No way I support shutting down news, from any source, I do however see it slanted in every place we see it,not sure if this morning's news is a brilliant effort in foresight or just foolishness, but it will bring support because it,while not news just a person's opinion, SMH Abbott to replace Turnbull, highlights we must in our own minds draw a line under what is news and what is someone's opinion

Shadow, as a libertarian never been a big supporter of 18c. Let the fanatics and other right wing ratbags blow off some steam at times. Okay by me, if they go too far over the top, we'll just have to lock em' up, or promote them in the Liberal Party under PM Dud.

http://news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/islam-mitat-the-bride-of-isis-with-an-aussie-baby/news-story/1c5652e9e10532454b2e69437d177807

How's this one.
Seriously they must take us all for idiots.

She was directed by ISIS to marry an Aussie, now claims victimhood and wants free entry.

She says she's not going to tell the kid about his father.
Thinks somehow that she's going to able to keep it all under wraps after being on 60 minutes..

Seriously the news is so illogical and focussed on catering to emotion and selling victimhood it's become sick and twisted.
It's bad when they selectively edit to obscure the truth but even worse when they try being honest.

These are the people informing us?
Their reporting is cancerous.