5. Route indicators, Automatic train stops, Special speeds, Level crossings and Trackside Signs Flashcards
What are the different type of route indicators? (6)
- Painted Arrows
- Illuminated Arrows
- Illuminated Letters
- Theatre Type
- Dual Gauge
- Feather Type
What happens to an illuminated route indicator if a route’s signal is at danger?
It will be extinguished
Are line indicators route indicators?
Apparently not
How can a Signal Aspect be used as a route indicator?
The Medium Speed aspect will indicate the diverging route, the Normal Speed aspect will indicate the straight route
What does a Dual Gauge indicator indicate?
V = points set for Victorian gauge track
S = points set for Standard gauge track
What steps must a driver take if they can see an incorrect route indicator has been displayed? (3)
- Attempt to stop train before signal
- Contact Signaller or Train Controller
- Receive new aspect/route indication
What must a driver do if they have been unable to stop a train before being wrong routed at a signal? (5)
- Stop when safe to do so
- Contact Signaller or Train Controller
- Make a PA
- Change ends with appropriate authority if required to set back
- Complete incident report
What is a Line Indicator and what is its purpose?
Line Indicator is used in locations with multiple routes – it a painted letter on a board indicating which fixed signal belongs to which line, to decrease read across errors.
Where are Automatic Train Stops provided? (4)
- 3-Position Home Signals
- 3-Position Automatic Signals
- Some 2-Position Home Signals
- Some Dwarf signals
What speed do Speed-Proving Train Stops generally operate at?
25km/h
What is a Fixed Train Stop and where are they used?
A permanently-raised Train Stop. Used to prevent a train form entering a non-wired section or performing a wrong-line move
What must a driver do if encountering a defective Automatic Train Stop?
Report it to Train Controller at Metrol.
Unless faulty, what position must the train-mounted trips be in?
Leading cab trip must be lowered, all other trips must be raised.
What is a “back-trip”?
The trip arm on a trailing motor has been left lowered, causing the train to trip of an Automatic Train Stop signalled for the other direction
How does a driver check if a back-trip has occurred from the leading cab? (4)
- Place brake controller handle into Emergency until brake pipe gauge indicated 0 kPa
- Return brake controller handle to Running & Release and observe if brake pipe air raises to 550 kPa
- If brake pipe air remains steady at 550 kPa, back-trip has occurred.
- Affected trip must be located, raised or isolated as required
What must a driver do if back-tripping occurs? (11)
- Stop and check for derailing
- Confirm backtripping as source of trip
- Call Train Controller at Metrol
- Request Track Access if required
- PA
- Full Cab unattended
- Locate affected trip and raise/isolate
- Return to lead cab and cancel Track Access
- Provide motor number of lowered trip/book defective
- Proceed at Extreme Caution to next fixed signal
- Submit incident report
What must a driver do if the trip valve operates irregularly in the section, not in vicinity of signal? (7)
- Stop and check for derailing
- TEC call to Metrol
- PA
- Look for obvious causes (debris etc)
- Reset Trip Valve
- Proceed with Extreme Caution to next fixed signal
- Incident Report
If a driver has tripped in the vicinity of a Home or Dwarf signal, when can they move the train?
After they’ve received the correct authority from the Controlling Signaller or Train Controller.
If controller/s unavailable, train cannot be moved
When can a driver move a train after unintentionally tripping in the vicinity of an Automatic Signal?
If authority can be received, proceed as per Rule 1 Section 3.
If unable to receive authority due to communication not available, DO NOT move train – this may be considered a PAE.
What must a driver do if they become aware they have had a Proceed Authority Exceeded (PAE)? (5)
- Stop train. DO NOT reset train. DO NOT move train.
- Check for potential derail
- Make a TEC call
- Make a PA announcement
- Act under instruction of Train Controller or Controlling Signaller. Only move train once authority has been granted.
What are the three types of train stop?
- Automatic
- Speed proving
- Fixed
What speed is permitted when running on the straight track with clear aspects?
Track Speed
What speed is permitted when passing over facing points that are being held by hand?
5km/h
What speed is permitted when entering a crossing station/loop on single lines where Three-Position Signalling is provided?
As per signal aspects
What speed is permitted at a terminal location when the train reaches the start of the platform
25km/h
What is the maximum speed allowed under Extreme Caution?
25km/h
What speed is allowed when passing over facing points that are usually passed in the other direction?
15km/h
What speed is allowed for trains involved in shunting movements?
15km/h
What speed is allowed for pushing trains on running lines (rescuing)?
15km/h
What speed is allowed for any wrong line movement of trains when passing over a level crossing?
15km/h
Where are Speed Boards generally placed?
Where a permanent speed restriction is required
What does a Speed Board look like?
Square yellow reflective board with black lettering.
What does a Speed Board indicate?
The maximum speed allowed in km/h
When must a train be travelling at the speed indicated on a Speed Board?
When the front of the train reaches the board
When does a speed restriction initiated by a Speed Board end?
When the front of the train passes the next Fixed Signal, or when otherwise stated
How does a Speed Board indicate a speed for a diverging movement?
A black arrow at the base of the board. Direction of arrow will indicate direction of divergence.
How are different speed restrictions for different train types indicated on a Speed Board?
G = goods trains
F = Fast goods
P = Passenger trains
What does a Curve Board look like, and what does it indicate?
Reflective yellow board, pointed to an arrow at one side. Arrowed side will point to direction of upcoming curve, black lettering on board indicates maximum km/h allowed when travelling the curve
When passing a Curve Board, when must the driver reduce their speed to the speed indicated?
Before the train enters the curve
After passing a Curve Board, when can a driver resume track speed?
Once the whole train is clear of the curve
Aside from signalling curve speed, where else can curve boards be utilised?
Diverging movements
Where on the track are Curve Boards located?
On the left-hand side of line, facing the driver when approaching from either end
What are WOLO speed restrictions?
Speed restrictions put in place in times of high temperature to decrease rail stress
What are the two levels of WOLO restrictions?
- WOLO 80
- WOLO 70
What temperature range triggers a WOLO 80, what is maximum speed allowed, and how is it applied?
- 38oC to 41oC, maximum 80km/h, line specific
What temperature triggers a WOLO 70, what is the maximum speed allowed and how is it applied?
- Temperatures 42oC and above, 70km/h maximum speed, applied across entire network
What are the different types of level crossings found on the Metro network? (7) (answers in bold we were told to highlight)
- Boom gate level crossings
- Pedestrian and bicycle crossings with passive control
- Pedestrian and bicycle crossings with active control
- Tramway level crossings
- Warning lights only
- Private ‘give-way to trains’ (farmland)
- At locations with provisions for staff to cross
In regards to level crossings, what is referred to by “active control”?
Lights/bells/boom arms operate when train approaches crossing. Activated via track circuitry or axle counters
In regards to level crossings, what is referred to by “passive control?”
Fixed warning signs with no bells/lights/boom arms. Relies on use observing signage
What is the purpose of a Flashing Light Repeating Side Light?
To indicate to the driver that the level crossing warning devices are active and functioning
What are the three types of Whistle Board on the Victorian network, and what colour are they?
- Normal type (white cross)
- Healthy State Indicator Type (yellow cross)
- Predictor Board (dunno)
Where are Normal Type Whistle Boards located?
400m on the approach-side of level crossings
What must a driver do on passing a Normal Type Whistle Board? (4)
- Sound long whistle
- Observe level crossing activates
- Observe crossing is clear
- Sound long whistle just prior to entering
Describe a Healthy State Indicator Whistle Board.
Yellow X with a white flashing light – the flashing light will operate to indicate the crossing safety features are activated and working correctly
What does a Predictor Board look like?
A white board with a black diagonal cross inside a black circle
Upon reaching a Predictor Board, what instructions must a driver follow?
When a driver reaches a Predictor Board, they must not increase their speed until the train has entered the level crossing
What is the definition of a Long Whistle?
“The sound of the whistle should be distinct, with intensity, duration or repetition appropriate at which the warning is required to be heard”
How should a driver operate the whistle if two trains are approaching a level crossing at the same time?
Both drivers should sound continuous whistles until both trains have reached the crossing
How should the driver operate the whistle if they are approaching a level crossing where a road user may be in danger?
They must make a series of short, urgent blasts on the whistle
What emergency action should a driver take if they see potential danger at a level crossing? (3)
- Apply emergency brake
- Sound continuous whistle
- Report incident to Train Controller
What must a driver do if approaching a level crossing where the protection equipment has not operated? (4)
- Attempt to stop the train prior to the crossing
- Sound emergency whistle
- Report failure to train control immediately
- Warn any surrounding trains via REC call
If, due to disruption, a train is required to be running “wrong line” through a level crossing, what must a driver do to ensure safety of the crossing? (3)
- Stop short of level crossing
- Cautiously move towards the crossing until protection equipment starts to operate
- Stop the train until protection equipment has fully operated
Under times of Single Line Working, what is the procedure for a driver to pass over a level crossing?
Competent Worker/Pilot will manually operate protection equipment and give driver “all-right” hand signal once it is safe to passA
What keys are used to manually operate level crossing equipment? (2)
- 5p
- Abloy
What is the default state of both Home and Automatic signals?
Home Signals are generally at Stop
Automatic Signals are generally at Proceed
In what scenarios would a driver manually operate a boom gate?
To raise a level crossing if there are unavoidable delays and the crossing is triggered at Stop
What are the common markings on a Boom Gate Key Switch?
- Normal or Proceed (vertical)
- Reverse, Stop, or Boom Disable (2 or 10 o’clock)
How far away is an Advance Warning Sign placed in advance of a Tramway Square?
200m
What does an Advance Warning Sign look like?
Yellow reflective square with “Tram Square Ahead” in black letters with the maximum speed underneath
What is indicated by an Advance Warning Sign?
That a tramway square will be ahead and that speed restrictions will apply
What does a Tramway Square Speed Restriction sign look like?
Yellow reflective square that says “Tram Square” in black letters with the maximum speed underneath
How far after a tramway square can a driver expect to find a Clearance Sign?
160m
When is a driver able to resume normal speed after passing a Clearance Sign?
Once the driver’s cab has passed the sign
What warning sign looks like black and white stripes on an angles?
Limited Clearance Marker
What does a Limited Clearance Marker look like?
Black and white stripes on angles
Describe what Coasting, Series and Series Parallel Indicators look like.
Coasting = white equals sign in black circle
Series = white equals sign on angle – LHS high and RHS low – in black circle
Series Parallel = white equals sign on angle – LHS low and RHS high
What do the Coasting, Series and Series Parallel Indicators communicate to the driver?
Comeng trains only:
Coasting = driver to shut power off on master controller and coast (roll)
Series = driver to select Series on master controller
Series Parallel = driver to select Series Parallel on master controller
Why do we have Coasting boards?
To minimise electricity usage and aid in the maintenance of momentum.
What are the three types of Coasting Board?
- Coasting
- Series
- Series Parallel
Where are Coasting Boards located?
On stanchions
What does a Section Board indicate?
The defined end of a signalled area
Where are Train Protection and Warning System Boards (TPWS) used?
For V/Line trains, to stop trains after a PAE
What does a High PAE Signal Approach Board look like?
A piece of nutragrain
What do Train Stop Here boards indicate?
The ideal stopping point for that platform.
What does a Terminal Stop Sign look like, what does it indicate, and where must you stop in relation to it?
White star with black dot in centre
Indicates overhead will run out in 15m
Must stop at least 3m prior
What do Occupation Stop Boards indicate?
Absolute occupation – no trains to enter this area
Where might a driver see an Altered Stopping Conditions Board?
At the station prior, to advertise altered stopping conditions ahead
What does a TR Point indicate?
Where a ready train is to wait prior to departing a siding. Can only move to this point after contacting Signaller
Is a train allowed to pass a Limit of Shunt board?
No
