Personal Track Safety Flashcards
What is the operational railway?
Everything within the boundary fence
What is the cess?
The area between the boundary fence and ‘on or near the line’/nearest running line
What is ‘on or near the line’?
On or within 3 metres of a running line
If someone is carrying out technical work within 1.25 metres of the platform edge, are they ‘on or near the line’?
Yes
If someone is on a platform, are they ‘on or near the line’?
No, not unless they are carrying out technical work within 1.25 metres of the platform edge.
Are you ‘on or near the line’ if on a level crossing or behind a permanent fence?
No
What is the four foot?
Space between two running rails serving the same line
What is the six foot?
The space between two separate running lines
What is the ten foot?
The space between two pairs of running lines
What is the minimum PPE required when working on the track?
Hi vis jacket, safety shoes and bardic lamp in the dark
What must your clothing never do when working on the track?
Obstruct your vision/hearing
What must you know before going onto the track?
Line speed and direction of trains
How would you find out the line speed and direction of trains?
Sectional Appendix
How regularly must you look up for trains?
Every 3-5 seconds
When must a position of safety be adopted?
10 seconds before a train passes
What is the position of safety where the line speed is 0-100mph?
1.25 metres
What is the position of safety where the line speed is 101-125mph?
2 metres
Where is the safest place to walk?
In the cess
When is it acceptable to walk in the four foot?
If you are facing oncoming trains and can adopt a Position of Safety within 10 seconds
Where must you never walk when on the track?
In the six foot or ten foot
When walking with others, how must you walk?
Single file, 20 metres apart
Can you use a mobile when working on the track?
Yes but only when in a position of safety
What are your actions if a train sounds its horn?
Adopt a position of safety first and then acknowledge with one arm raised
What must you always be looking for?
A position of safety, moving to the opposite side if needed
When crossing the railway, what must you identify first?
Identify a position of safety before crossing the railway
When can you leave your POS?
When the train has passed and you are certain that no other trains are approaching
What are your actions if there are no POS and a train approaches?
Immediately lay in the cess, six or ten foot and tuck in.
Where must you never lay?
In the four foot
How must you cross the railway?
At 90 degrees, taking the shortest route
How must you cross third rail?
Taking one long step over third rail.
How must you walk in general when on the railway?
Ballast to ballast, never stand on running rails, sleepers or points.
What are facing points?
Allow trains to leave the main line (facing a choice)
What are trailing points?
Allow trains to rejoin a main line (not facing a choice)
What are fish plates?
Metal plates connecting two rails
What are trap points?
Set to de-rail you in event of a SPAD
What are Catch points?
Set to de-rail you if you roll backwards (usually on rising gradients)
What is a bi-directional line?
Portion of track that is signalled in both directions
What is a simplified bi-directional line?
Portion of track that is signalled in both directions but more signals in the predominant location
What does a limited clearance sign look like and what does it mean?
Red battenberg- Warning/Limited Clearance
There are no positions of safety past the sign for the length of the structure beyond it. Do not pass when trains are approaching
What does a No Refuges sign look like and what does it mean?
Blue battenberg- Warning/No Refuges
There are no positions of safety/refuges on that side of the railway but there are on the opposite side.
What is a prohibition sign?
Must not pass this sign when trains are running unless to carry out emergency protection or if told that trains have been stopped.
When should an authorised walking route be used?
Whenever one is available
If walking between trains, what must you ensure that you do?
Ensure there is a 10 metre gap between the trains and the emergency brake is applied in both units
Who controls the OLE?
Electrical Control Operator (ECO)
How much voltage does the OLE provide trains with AC & DC?
25,000 volts AC to trains
750 volts DC to trams/metros
What is the minimum distance you must always be from a train’s pantograph/OLE?
2.75 metres
How does third rail work?
Electrifies the running rail- this is received by the train via a mounted collector shoe
How would you identify third rail?
Sits higher than normal railheads and sits on a ceramic plate
What is a cant line?
An orange line marking the maximum height that items can go. Do not touch anything above this.
How should you always treat electrical equipment, even when switched off?
As live and dangerous
If you notice damaged OLE, what must you do?
Emergency call to stop all trains
In what circumstances is emergency switch off of the OLE required?
Damaged OLE
Person or object in contact with the OLE
Lineside fire
Derailment
Train/vehicle fire
Any other OLE emergency
What is the Automatic Power Controller (APC)?
APC magnets located before and after neutral sections. These operate the Vaccuum Circuit Breaker to disable or re-engage the train’s pantograph.
What does the APC do before a neutral section?
APC magnet before neutral section causes VCB to disable the pantograph so that it doesn’t draw electricity via the pantograph
What does the APC do after a neutral section?
APC magnet after neutral section causes VCB to re-energise the pantograph so that it begins to pull electricity via the pantograph
What does a neutral section ahead warning board look like?
Two t’s with black background
What does a commencement of neutral section board look like?
Two t’s with white background
What do TCOCs do?
Simulate the track circuits that are made by the presence of a train
When should TCOCs be placed?
When the train is unable to complete the circuit (eg: derailment) or if the signaller cannot confirm signal protection.
In what order should you attach TCOCs?
Furthest rail from third rail first, then rail closest to third rail
In what order should you remove TCOCs?
Closest rail to third rail first then furthest rail from third rail
Why does the order of attaching and removing TCOCs matter?
To prevent inadvertently clipping to the third rail
Label the OLE equipment in notes
See diagram in notes
Name the four types of OLE structures?
Portal
Semi-portal
Cantilever
Headspan structure
When requesting an emergency switch off of the OLE, what must you say?
This is an electrical emergency
What might diesel trains be able to do when there is an OLE issue?
Diesel trains may still be able to run or examine the OLE
When making an emergency call relating to dangerous goods, what must you state?
This is a dangerous goods emergency and the united nations number
Where can the united nations number be found?
Bottom number on orange sticker
What precautions must you take when dealing with a dangerous goods incident?
Keep clear of dangerous goods
Keep wind behind you if facing affected area
Avoid low lying areas where gas gathers
Keep people away
Keep naked flames away
Do not use mobile phones
What actions must you take to preserve evidence after an accident?
Do not interfere with evidence after a serious accident unless to prevent further injury or damage
Note any time sensitive data (eg: duplex gauge readings)
In what circumstances must you make an emergency call?
Track Defect
Obstruction
Fire
Flood
Earthworks
Elephant (large animal)
Emergency indicator unlit/fallen
In an emergency, how must you warn approaching drivers?
With hazard lights or red lights forward and a distress horn
What are your actions if you see a danger to trains?
Inform the signaller before passing the next stop signal
What are your actions if your train is in danger?
Stop immediately avoiding tunnels, viaducts or unsuitable locations
How do you stop a train in day time?
Raise both arms above head or wave red flag
How do you stop a train at night?
Red light or shake any colour light vigorously.
What are dangers to trains that require an emergency call?
Doors not closed properly
Insecure load on freight trains
Vehicle on fire
Hot axle box
Train’s headlights not working
Train’s tail lights not working/missing
Train’s distress horn
Flashing hazard lights
Driver or guard displaying red hand signal
What does a black cross on a telephone mean?
Lineside telephone
What does black hatching on a telephone mean?
Signal Post Telephone
What is a green telephone?
An emergency telephone
What does a red telephone with Electrification mean?
Phone to ECO
What does a black phone on a white background mean?
General railway telephone
What does a black phone on a yellow background mean?
Level crossing telephone
What do the following signs mean:
White diamond with cross
Yellow Diamond with cross
Black and white hatching with yellow roundel
Black cross with yellow roundel
These phones are not in a position of safety and must only be used in an emergency or if told that the line is blocked
What do the following signs mean:
SPT with warning triangle
SPT with limited clearance sign
A driver may use these SPTs because they are in a position of safety in relation to the adjacent line and protection is provided by their train.
Other personnel can only use in emergency or if told adjacent line is blocked.
When should you use the warning horn?
As much as necessary for safe operation
How would you warn others of your train approaching?
Both tones
How would you give an urgent warning of immediate danger or if your warning was not acknowledged?
Long blast
How would you warn that your train is in distress?
Continuous series of long blasts
How would you sound horn at whistle board?
Low tone 06:00-23:59
How would you warn of a train movement?
Short blast (soft on depot, siding or entering shed)
What does emergency protection involve?
Placing a TCOC on every obstructed line (inc own line), showing hand danger signals to approaching trains and protecting obstructed lines with detonators.
When completed, continuing as far as necessary to contact signaller or return to train if already contacted.
When is emergency protection required?
After a train accident if unable to contact the signaller or if the signaller cannot provide or guarantee signal protection.
Also required if your train fails within TBW/ESW.
How would you protect a double track line?
TCOC on own line and opposite line
3x detonators 1 1/4 miles from train (20m apart) on opposite line only
How would you protect a multi-track line?
TCOC on own line and all other obstructed lines
3x detonators (20m apart) 1 1/4 miles from train- guard to assist if protecting more than one line (if not possible, route knowledge on which to protect first)
What are your actions if you reach a tunnel whilst laying emergency protection?
If tunnel before full distance 3x detonators at tunnel entrance
If 1 1/4 miles falls in tunnel, continue to far end and place 3x detonators outside of it
If 1 1/4 miles not reached after exiting tunnel, continue until until full protection distance reached and lay 3x detonators
What are your actions if you reach a diverging junction whilst laying emergency protection?
If you reach a diverging junction before 1 1/4 miles, 3x detonators before junction at convergence point, then decide order to protect lines (route knowledge)
What are your actions if a train approached whilst carrying out emergency protection?
Immediately lay 3x detonators and display hand danger signal
What are your actions if you reach a telephone or signal box before reaching the full protection distance?
Place 3x detonators 20m apart and 30m from phone/signal box and then contact the signaller
What are your actions once you have contacted the signaller?
Return to your train.
