Overhead Lines Flashcards by Peter Taylor

What are the main parts of the OLE

Catenary
Dropper
Contact wire
Along line conductor
Insulator
Red bond
Headspan wire
Cross span wire
OLE structure
Structure plate

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What does OLE stand for

Overhead Line Equipment

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What does ECO stand for

Electrical control officer

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What is a line light

An indicator on the drivers desk of an electric train showing that current is being drawn from the OLE

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What is a VCB

Vacuum Circuit Breaker,
When operated, cuts the power off from the OLE to the train.
Can be operated by APC, at a neutral section or a fault occurring
Will auto reset when going over the APC or driver pressing reset/pan up button

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What does APC stand for

Automatic Power Control

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What does ADD stand for and do

Automatic Dropping Device,
Will drop the pan if the arm over extends
Protects the pantograph and the OLE from damage

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What must you do if stopped in a neutral section

Contact the signaller
Press the pan reset button, pan might not be on dead section. This will reset the VCB
Will the train roll safely
May need to call for assistance if stopped on dead spot

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How long is a neutral section

46m

Only 1.5m is dead

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Why does the OLE have neutral sections

The neutral section is the change over of power supply.
One supply finishes, neutral section, another starts

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If the line is blocked to electric trains and you are assisted you must…..

Lower all pans and tell driver of assisting train when done

Isolate the APCO on bi-mode or pan may automatically raise

Disregard signage associated with a traction changeover

Not resume AC traction until passed the signallers required location or location indicated by signage

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When making a wrong direction move in a bi-mode train you must

Keep the APCO equipment isolated

If beginning in electric mode you must lower pan before the end of OLE

If in diesel power, not raise pan until fully under the OLE

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If you see anything on the OLE or in contact with it that could cause damage to the pantograph, what must you do

Lower the pantograph immediately

Stop your train as soon as possible and contact the signaller

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What OLE damage of defect must be reported to the signaller

Objects hanging from or are touching the OLE
Any damage
OLE that is smoking, excessively flashing or fusing
Damaged or loose APC inductors
A broken rail
Broken or defected bond
Anything that could affect the safe operation of trains

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What is meant by Drop, Stop, Box

Drop the pantograph

Stop the train

Contact the signal Box (ECO)

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If the line light goes out, when may you coast to a suitable location to report to the signaller

If there is only one pan in use on the first three vehicles
ADD is available but has not been activated
No unusual movement of or noises from the OLE
You have made one unsuccessful attempt to reset

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If the signaller tells you your train is the cause of sequential tripping, what must you do

Follow signallers instructions,
You may be asked to inspect the OLE for damage
You must report if the conditions aren’t suitable (too dark etc)
Before leaving the train check they is no damaged OLE in the vicinity of your door

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During an examination of the OLE or pantograph, if the visibility becomes worse what must you do

Stop the examination
Tell the signaller
Wait for further instructions

If your train cannot proceed due to damage of the pantograph but the damage is not severe you can

Raise the pan to gain power for heating and lighting while waiting for assistance

After raising the pan double check it’s in correct contact with OLE with no arcing

No movement of train is allowed with pan raised

Lower pan prior to assisting train attaching

If you have to isolate the ADD you must

Isolate the ADD
Tell the signaller
Carry out all instructions given

If proceeding you must not exceed 100mph

You may be told to use another pan if available or continue in bi mode

When a pantograph has been damaged and there is no other pantograph available you must

Give the signaller an assurance that the damaged pan is clear of any contact with OLE

If the pantograph has been damaged when can the assisting train move you

Only when
You can confirm the pan will not be in contact with the OLE

The pan isn’t foul of the loading gauge

When the pantograph can’t be repaired or there is evidence that the train has contacted the OLE, you must only move the train if one of the following applies

OLE has been switched off, you have authority from OLE personnel to move the train clear of the OLE

You’ve been told the defect has been repaired or made safe for train to move

The train needs be moved in emergency

If asked to examine the OLE what must you do

You must be accompanied by a competent person, during darkness, poor visibility or through tunnels

Run at caution, 20mph max

Report your funding’s to the signaller

When examining the OLE you are looking for

Any obstructions is not more than 150mm (6 inches) below contact wire No more than two consecutive droppers have come off The object or defect is more than 3 OLE structures from a tunnel or over bridge No other defects are obvious

If a decision has been made to allow trains to coast, with pans down, what will the signaller inform you of

That there is a problem with the OLE The location of the area you are to coast through If coasting boards will be erected to instruct drivers Speed must not exceed 20mph through area

What does a lower pantograph sign look like

Black square with two curved white lines back to back one on top of each other in the middle

What does a raise pantograph sign look like

Black square with two curved white lines back to back side by side in the middle

What is the criteria for network rail control to authorises high speed coasting

The line must be clear throughout the affected area That no stopping points for the train intervene in the area No high winds No poor visibility All boards are correctly positioned

What does a advance lower pantograph warning sign look like

Black upside down triangle with two curved white lines one on top of the other in the middle With two flashing white lights, one above and one below

What does a "do not raise pantograph sign look like

Black square with two white curved lines back to back side by side in the middle (same as raise pantograph sign) with a red cross across the front

Where is the lower pantograph warning board positioned

400 metres before the lower pantograph board No AWS is fitted at this board

When must you lower the pantograph when seeing the lower pantograph sign

Pantograph must be lowered before reaching the lower pantograph sign

What speed can you lower and raise the pantograph

Lower at any speed up to permissible line speed Raise at a maximum of 80mph

On seeing a raise pantograph sign when can you raise the pantograph

Must not be raised until the pan has passed the raise pantograph sign

What does the "do not raise pantograph" sign mean

Marks the end of the safe distance to raise the pantograph After passing this board the pantograph can only be raised at 20mph or less

What does the "do not raise pantograph" sign mean

Marks the end of the safe distance to raise the pantograph After passing this board the pantograph can only be raised at 20mph or less

What are your actions if any of the pantograph raise, lower or warning signs are missing or defective

After passing through the area, report to the signaller as soon as possible, even if you have to stop the train to do this

What is the definition of sequential tripping?

When consecutive electrical sections along a route trip. Normally caused by a fault on a moving train.

What does a neutral section warning board and indication board look like

Warning board = black square with two capital Ts back to back in white Indication board = white square with two capital Ts in black back to back

What does an old style gantry identification plate look like and what does the information mean

White plate with black writing.... Mounted on the gantry structure Top letter = route Middle numbers = mileage Bottom numbers = gantry number

What does the new style gantry plate look like and what does the information mean

White plate with red writing Top line is engineering line reference Top set of numbers = kms Bottom numbers = metres Bottom = nearest running line

Why is the red bond considered particularly dangerous

It carries the fully AC current, should be considered to be live at all times

When might the signaller implement high speed coasting

If the running line is ok for trains to pass but the OLE is affected by Planned engineering work Damage to the OLE Failure of the power supply