M Modules

Question 1

In the rule book, which hazardous events are defined as an accident?

Answer 1

A. a derailment
B. a collision involving trains or rail vehicles
C. a collision with an obstruction
D. a collision with a road vehicle
E. a collision with a person
F. a fire on a train which might put other trains passing the location in danger
G. a fire on a train which might mean that passengers are evacuated onto running lines
H. an accidental train division which has caused another line to be obstructed

Question 2

What is meant by the other line?

Answer 2

The adjacent line or other lines

Question 3

In relation to train accidents, what does the acronym SPEED stand for?

Answer 3

S - secure the train/cab
P - protect the line
E - electric current switch off
E - emergency services
D - decide what to do next (make sure the public and other personnel are safe.)

Question 4

Whilst driving you see something on the other line that may endanger other trains, how could you warn other drivers

Answer 4

Contact signaller
Switch on hazard lights
Red light in front of train (facing oncoming trains)
Train in distress (long blasts on horn)

Question 5

Any passenger may be able to assist you in an emergency, but who may be particularly suitable as a ‘competent’ person for this purpose?

Answer 5

Rail company staff
Network rail staff
Emergency service personnel
Medical staff (doctors / nurses)
Anyone with a valid PTS certificate

Question 6

What is the first thing you MUST say to the signaller when reporting an emergency?

Answer 6

This is an emergency call.

Question 7

In what circumstances MUST you lay emergency protection?

Answer 7

When you cannot contact the signaller
When the signaller cannot provide any protection

Question 8

Draw out, emergency protection laid in a double track area with a diverging junction within the full protection distance. Don’t forget to label the drawing in full.

Question 9

When is is necessary to lay emergency protection on your own line?

Answer 9

1. When you have derailed
2. When working in temporary block or emergency special working
3. When you are unable to contact the signaller
4. When the signaller cannot provide signal protection

Question 10

If there is a fire onboard your train where would you avoid stopping?

Answer 10

Tunnels
Viaducts
Stations with a flammable roof
Bridges
Embankments/cuttings
Any other unsuitable location

Question 11

Name two pieces of perishable evidence that must be taken note of in the event of a serious incident?

Answer 11

You must immediately make a note of evidence that might be lost over time, such as
- wheel-tyre and brake-block temperatures, and brake-gauge readings.

Question 12

If you have to enter the driving cab following a serious incident, what are the only circumstances in which you may move any handles/leavers?

Answer 12

To secure the train
When instructed by:
A- a rail incident officer (RIO)
B- a police incident officer
C- a rail accident investigation branch (RAIB) investigator
D- any other senior investigator.

Question 13

Once a fire on a train has been extinguished and the train is authorised to continue, what precautions/rules must be applied?

Answer 13

A competent person should remain within the saloon incase the fire reignites

Passengers moved to another area/carriage
Signaller informed and control

Question 14

What type of fire extinguisher are carried on trains?

Answer 14

AFFF
Fire blankets in galley

Question 15

What emergency equipment is carried in each cab (150s / 165/6)

Answer 15

Fire extinguishers
Track Circuit Operating Clips (TCOC)
Red flags (1 per cab)
10 detonators
Light sticks

Question 16

Detail three safety considerations when tackling a fire?

Answer 16

Safety of passengers
Can you extinguish safely
Location of fire - safe passage away

Question 17

If a train accidentally divides, what is your first passenger related concern?

Answer 17

Has anyone fell out of the train

Question 18

What must occur before any re-coupling of a divided train takes place?

Answer 18

Check couplings to ensure no damage coupler and electrical box.
If any damage could be or has been caused to the railway infrastructure
Obtain signallers permission to start recouple process.
Advise guard

Question 19

If a divided train cannot be recoupled and the front portion is to continue its journey, what must you do? Include in your answer scenarios where you cannot contact the signaller at the site of the train division.

Answer 19

If unable to re-couple
Ensure red lights are left (lit) at each end of the rear portion with 3 dets XXX (each end)

Stop at the next SPT or signal box and report the:
Exact location of the left portion
Protect laid

Only place a red tail light on the rear of your portion when you have reached the signal box

Question 20

I’m what circumstances may you be required to carry out a controlled evacuation?

Answer 20

When you are stopped in a suitable location.
When the signaller is unable to provide signal protection.
When the electric current is switched off.

Question 21

What is assistance?

Answer 21

When another train or traction unite to move a failed unit

Question 22

If your train fails and you require assistance, what agreements/arrangements must you make with the signaller?

Answer 22

the exact location of the failed train

that the failed train will not be moved

the type of assisting train needed, and

the direction from which it is needed.

Question 23

Once assistance has been agreed what must you NOT do?

Answer 23

Move your train.

Question 24

Draw how assistance protection would be placed if assistance is to come from the rear, along with what you would display once it is in place.

Answer 24

You must place three detonators 20 metres (approximately 20 yards) apart on the line on which your failed train is standing 300 metres (approximately 300 yards) from your train in the direction from which the assistance will approach.

Question 25

What would you do if the assistance protection point fell within a tunnel?

Question 26

When do you not need to lay assistance protection?

Answer 26

You do not need to provide assistance protection where permissive working is in operation.

Question 27

If your train has failed and you cannot contact the signaller immediately, when MUST you carryout emergency protection?

Answer 27

If your train has failed and you cannot contact the signaller immediately, you only need to carry out emergency protection when your train has failed within:
an emergency special working section, or a temporary block working section.

Question 28

When laying emergency protection, you come across a signal with SPT prior to the full assistance protection point. Where do you lay protection and on what proviso?

Answer 28

Lay the three Dets next to the signal and contact the signaller.
Ask the signaller if he wants you to continue to the full protect point or whether he can provide assistance protection.

Question 29

In what circumstances MUST you lay both assistance and emergency protection?

Answer 29

When failed within a Temporary Block working or
Emergency special working area.

Question 30

Prior to leaving the train to lay protection, who MUST you inform?

Answer 30

The guard

Question 31

If you are the driver of the assistance train, under what two conditions may you enter a tunnel?

Answer 31

You must only enter a tunnel if:
A. you have already picked up the driver of the failed train, or
B. you know that the driver of the failed train is not in the tunnel and that the tunnel is clear.

Question 32

As the assistance driver, what must you do on exploding the detonators?

Answer 32

You must stop immediately on exploding detonators.

Question 33

If you are making a wrong directional move towards the failed train, what lights must be displayed on your train?

Answer 33

White lights / headlights, both ends

Question 34

Having coupled up to the failed train, if brake continuity is not guaranteed throughout the whole length of the train, what is the maximum speed?

Answer 34

5 mph

Question 35

If you see a build up of snow that may affect the safe running of trains, what must you do?

Answer 35

You must report to the signaller, stopping your train specially to do so if necessary, if you see any build-up of snow that might affect the passage of trains.

You must tell the signaller if you believe the snow is deeper than 200 mm (8 inches) above the top of the rail head.

Question 36

What speed restrictions apply to trains in snow conditions?

Answer 36

Max 100 mph
Reduce speed by 10 mph
No need to reduce below 50 mph

Question 37

What running brake test does the appendix to the rule book generally require in snow conditions?

Answer 37

Running brake test every 5 mins for 5 seconds

Question 38

What is the purpose of these running brake tests in snow conditions?

Answer 38

To heat up the braking mechanism and it’s equipment, melting the snow build up supporting safe stopping

Question 39

According to the rule book, up to what height may floodwater be for trains to continue running normally?

Answer 39

Up to the bottom of the rail head

Question 40

According to your TOC appendix to the rule book, above what height will flood water affect the running speed of some types of traction?

Answer 40

Question 41

What effect can moving water have on railway infrastructure?

Answer 41

Movement of ballast making the passage of trains unsafe
Damage to the railway infrastructure- landslides, felling of trees/bushes etc.

Question 42

What new rules are now in force regarding M1 section 5.4 divided train - unable to couple?

Answer 42

A red light must be left in the rear of the divided portion and a white light in the front portion of the part being left behind.
If needed leave lights in cab windows

Question 43

What new rule is in force regarding M1 section 5.5 - you are assisting to remove the rear portion of a failed train?

Answer 43

You need to know
The exact location
The colour of the light displayed on the portion
If required the authority to pass a signal at danger

You must
Proceed at caution
Not exceed 25mph

Question 44

What is a failed train?

Answer 44

A train unable to move under its own power after reasonable and appropriate efforts have been made to rectify any faults that may be preventing it doing so.

Question 45

Who decides that a train is a failure?

Answer 45

The decision to declare the train a failure is a collaborative one between the driver and GWR control, but it is the driver who declares the train a failure to the signaller.