Level Crossings

Question 1

How are automatic crossings controlled?

Answer 1

By the passage of trains via treadles or track circuits

Question 2

How are controlled crossings controlled?

Answer 2

By the signaller and are protected by signals that are held at danger until crossing activated and signaller confirms crossing is clear

Question 3

How are manual crossings controlled?

Answer 3

Controlled by the user

Question 4

Where can level crossing locations be found?

Answer 4

In the Sectional Appendix

Question 5

What are Automatic Half Barrier Crossings (AHBCs)?

Answer 5

Automatically controlled by trains passing over activation and reset treadles. Red and white half barriers with lights (escape route), lights and sirens for road users.

Fully activates after 27 seconds- maintain speed.

Have yellow level crossing telephone.

May have wrong direction controls and speed board but no other signage

Question 6

What do wrong direction speed boards look like, what are they and what are your actions when passing them when travelling in the wrong direction?

Answer 6

X with the speed after (eg: X 30)

The number is the speed that the crossing must be passed when travelling in the wrong direction.

You must maintain this speed from the board and only accelerate when your train is on the crossing.

Line speed can be done when passing in the normal direction.

Question 7

What are AOCLs?

Answer 7

Automatic Open Crossings Locally monitored

Question 8

What are ABCLs?

Answer 8

Automatic Barrier Crossings Locally monitored

Question 9

What features do AOCLs and ABCLs have?

Answer 9

Barrier provided if ABCL.

Lights and sirens for road users

Warning board before crossing with AWS magnet 180m before followed by speed restriction board with X above the speed.

Flashing light for driver to determine if crossing is operating normally.

Plunger for driver to manually operate crossing if required.

May be stop board with instructions

Question 10

What are your actions when approaching ABCL/AOCL?

Answer 10

Acknowledge AWS warning at warning board and control train to speed on speed restriction board from the board until on the crossing (can accelerate on the crossing). Ensure there is a white flashing light before crossing. Only pass if safe.

If there is a stop board, stop and follow instructions before proceeding.

Question 11

What does a white flashing light on an ABCL/AOCL mean?

Answer 11

Crossing operating normally but not necessarily safe

Question 12

What does a red flashing or steady light on an ABCL/AOCL mean?

Answer 12

Crossing not operating normally

Question 13

In what circumstances must you stop before crossing an ABCL/AOCL?

Answer 13

1) White light not flashing
2) Crossing obstructed
3) You cannot see if crossing is clear
4) Signaller has told you that crossing has failed
5) You have been told road traffic signals are switched off and barriers are raised

Question 14

What are your actions after stopping if:
1) White light not flashing
2) Crossing obstructed
3) You cannot see if crossing is clear
4) Signaller has told you that crossing has failed
5) You have been told road traffic signals are switched off and barriers are raised

Answer 14

May pass crossing if safe and horn sounded continuously until front of train is on crossing.

Question 15

In what circumstances would you use the plungers on an ABCL/AOCL?

Answer 15

1) Crossing equipment has failed
2) Crossing equipment has failed due to operating for too long

Question 16

What are your actions after operating plunger?

Answer 16

Cross if safe and continuously sound horn.

Question 17

If the white light is not flashing in the dark, what are your actions?

Answer 17

1) Do not pass unless interior lights lit (even if ECS)
2) Arrangements have been made to prevent road traffic from crossing
3) Barriers lowered and lit

Question 18

If necessary to operate the plunger, at what point should you do this?

Answer 18

When ready to restart the train. Ensure white light flashing and sound horn, restart and proceed over.

Question 19

What are miniature red & green crossings?

Answer 19

Automatic foot crossings that are protected by gates and a sign that has a red/green light to confirm if train approaching. User may need to contact signaller for permission to cross. When trains pass a treadle, light turns red and when train passes reset treadle, light turns green. May be whistle board before.

Question 20

What are manned crossings with barriers?

Answer 20

Crossings controlled by the signaller or crossing keeper via treadles and timetable. Full barrier protection given and protected by controlled signals.

Question 21

What are manned crossings with gates?

Answer 21

Crossings controlled by the signaller or crossing keeper who manually open and close the gates. Controlled by use of treadles and timetable. Protected by controlled signals- signaller must confirm gates closed to road traffic before clearing signals.

Question 22

What are CCTV crossings?

Answer 22

Crossings controlled by a signaller via CCTV camera on the crossing. They have a controlled signal before them and when trains pass a treadle/track circuit, the signaller must check the CCTV to confirm crossing is clear and can then clear the protecting signal. Road users have full barrier protection.

Question 23

What must you ensure if passing a signal protecting a CCTV crossing at danger?

Answer 23

That the barriers and lights are working.

Question 24

What are your actions if the signaller has instructed you to pass a signal at danger that protects a CCTV level crossing but cannot confirm that the barriers and lights are working?

Answer 24

Approach at caution, only cross if safe. If barriers and lights not working, not safe to cross.

Question 25

What are remote controlled crossings?

Answer 25

Crossings controlled by the signaller who is within 400m visual range of the crossing- signaller activates crossing when it is clear. The protecting signals only clear when signaller confirms that crossing is clear.

Question 26

What feature might remote control crossings have?

Answer 26

Fog cameras for poor visibility of crossing- signaller may ask you to check if crossing is clear before clearing the signal.

Question 27

What are obstacle detection crossings?

Answer 27

Controlled crossings with lasers that detect obstructions. The protecting signals will not clear if obstruction is detected.

Question 28

What are train crew operated crossings?

Answer 28

Crossings that the driver or guard operate the barrier physically or by a plunger. Usually on slow speed lines.

Question 29

What are barrow crossings?

Answer 29

Foot crossings where white light denotes that crossing is safe to cross. If not lit, unsafe to cross.

Question 30

What are user worked crossings?

Answer 30

Foot crossings with no protecting signals. User may have to contact signaller for permission to cross.

Question 31

What are non-block crossings?

Answer 31

Signal that purely protects the level crossing and doesn’t control the movement of trains. Both the signal and the crossing itself are non-block.

Question 32

If a non-block crossing or signal is defective, what would you expect to see from the crossing keeper?

Answer 32

A green flag to confirm that the crossing is clear- this authorises you to pass the protecting non-block signal at danger. This is only at locations specified in Sectional Appendix.

Question 33

What are your actions if you notice any defects, irregularities or open gates on a level crossing?

Answer 33

Report to the signaller immediately.

Question 34

If you are instructed to approach a level crossing at caution, what are your actions?

Answer 34

Approach at caution and only pass the crossing if safe.

Question 35

What might the signaller ask you to report back on in relation to level crossings?

Answer 35

Whether a crossing is safe for the passage of trains, if barriers fully lowered or if crossing clear.

Question 36

What are your actions when passing a crossing under local control? When might you have to do this?

Answer 36

Approach at caution and only pass if a green hand signal is shown when told:
1) An AHBC is under local control
2) To make a WDM over a CCTV, OD or RC crossing under local control
3) To make a movement in either direction over a CCTV, RC or OD crossing under local control on a line under possession