Section 6: Responding to network signals and Indicators/signs Flashcards
A signal
a trackside piece of infrastructure that provides the train crew a visual indication of the status of the track ahead of the intended movement
Train Crew and Qualified workers directing shunting and propelling movements must obey the indications and instructions displayed by
signals, indicators and signs
Conditions Affecting the Network information may be recorded on a
CAN form.
CAN form
an advice form to drivers warning of conditions affecting the network such as defective level crossings and other associated infrastructure
If a train is standing at a signal, the Network Controller MUST NOT change the indication of the signal to a more restrictive aspect unless
there is a CAN or the route needs to be altered and it is safe to do so
A running signal authorises
a through movement between that signal and the next running signal
A subsidiary signal does not give confirmation that
the line ahead is completely clear from a through train movement
If a shunting/subsidiary signal is used to authorise (RED/RED, Small steady yellow) rail traffic to pass a running signal at STOP train crew must
Proceed at restricted speed
A proceed indication by a shunting signal is an authority to PROCEED up to and not beyond the first of the following limits reached
shunt limit sign, stop sign, indicator showing the points are not set, catch points are open or a derail device is set, set of non interlocked points, signal for the direction of travel
A Network Controller may use a subsidiary shunting signal to authorise rail traffic to pass a home signal, if the running signal
fails to clear or cannot be cleared because rail traffic occupies the line beyond the signal
If the appropriate running or shunting signal cannot be cleared for the intended movement then the rail traffic movement must be made in accordance with
rule NSG 608 passing signals at STOP, whereby a Special Proceed authority may need to be compiled in some circumstances
Special Proceed Authority
a form used to authorise rail traffic movements when the Proceed Authority normally provided by the system of Safeworking in operation is not available
The SPA form is usually
compiled by train crew as dictated by the Network controller, then repeated back to the Network controller and confirmed as correct if read back exactly as dictated
If both a co-acting signal and the associated primary signal display stop,
Rail traffic may pass the co-acting signal, but must STOP at the associated primary signal
Signals may be passed at STOP by rail traffic only in accordance with
the relevant network Rule NSG 608 - Passing Signals at Stop and may require a Special Proceed Authority (SPA) form to be compiled
CLOSE UP signals indicate
that the line to the next signal is not occupied. They authorise rail traffic to PROCEED, but to expect the next signal to be at STOP
What does a CLOSE UP signal look like
RED or RED/RED with a subsidiary that has “CLOSE UP” sign on it
What doe LOW SPEED signals look like?
Small in line green light. RED or RED/RED with little green
Low speed aspects indicate
that the line to the next signal is not occupied. They authorise traffic to PROCEED but to expect: the next signal to be at STOP and the line beyond the next signal to be occupied
A PROCEED indication shows that
interlocked points protected by the signal are set in the correct position for the movement and no conflicting route has been set. The block is unoccupied as far as the next running signal
A PROCEED indication by a shunting signal does not indicate
that the block ahead is unoccupied - a shunting signal will not show a clear indication (green)
A fixed signal indication must be treated as STOP if
it is an illegal signal indication, there is no indication, there is no indication other than the route indicator or it is not understood
A signal indication is illegal if it is not consistent with
the aspects and indications used in the railway network, the indications of adjoining signals and the known condition of the line, what is known about the occupancy of the line
Qualified Workers must report illegal signal indications to
the Network control officer responsible for the portion of line. Affected signals must not be used to provide PROCEED indications before they can been certified back into use
If a light in a colour light running signal is not visible, Drivers or track vehicle operators must
act as if the aspect is the most restrictive combination for the remaining displayed lights
If a colour light signal shows a PROCEED indication without the route indicator being visible, drivers must
obey the PROCEED indication
If, in darkness, no lights are displayed by a semaphore signal, drivers must
obey the indication displayed by the signal arm
A signal that is not in use must
have a large white X hung over the signal or if next to a functioning signal, have its head covered or turned away from the line
Signals for a unidirectional line are prefereably to the left of the line in the direction of travel. If this is not possible, they may be placed
above the line or to the right of the line
Signals for a double-line bidirectional line are usually
for travel in the usual running direction, to the left of the line and for travel opposite to the usual running direction, to the right of the line
If a signal is placed to the right of the line//
a left pointing arrow may be used to indicate the line to which the signal applies
In Token Territory, treat YARD LIMIT signs as
absolute PROCEED only when authorised by the Network Control Officer (only proceed past the sign with Authority from the Network Control)
In Token territory, treat YARD LIMIT P signs as
STOP, treat as permissive. Check that the line ahead is not obstructed then proceed at restricted speed
In Train Order territory, treat YARD LIMIT sign as
STOP unless authorised to PROCEED on a Train Order
In Train Order territory, treat X sign
as departure end yard limit of a location. It required by the Train Order, report departure beyond the location
In signalled territory treat YL and EYL
in accordance with the Proceed Authority
When passing a decreasing speed limit sign, drivers must
make sure that the front of the train passes the sign at or below the speed given by the sign
If speed signs allow an increase in speed
drivers must not increase speed until the rear of the train has passed the speed sign
Network Control Officers must warn drivers entering a portion of track affected by temporary speed restrictions until
the Maintenance Representative says that they can travel at normal speed, temporary speed been installed or affected portions of track are protected by HandNetwork Control Officers
If temporaty speed restrictions are continued the Maintenance Representative must
advertise the restrictions in a Weekly Speed Notice
Describe temporary track speed signs for passenger trains
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