Signals - 3 Position Signals

Question 1

What is the purpose of Track Circuits?

Answer 1

When a train enter the Track Section, the leading wheels move past the relay area and form a shortened circuit. This causes the signal to go in the Stop position

Question 2

What is Axle Counter Technology?

Answer 2

• A sensor located at signals which records the number of axles as they pass that point.
• If the required number of axles are counted that signal will turn to Stop

Question 3

What do 3 Position Signals allow?

Answer 3

Allow more information about the track section ahead to be passed on to the driver

Question 4

What information do 3 Position Signals give to the driver?

Answer 4

Information about the:

• Points
• Track section ahead
• Speed
• Next Signal

Question 5

What is the top light on a 3 Position Signal called?

Answer 5

“A” light

Question 6

What is the bottom light on a 3 Position Signal called?

Answer 6

“B” light

Question 7

What is the smaller additional light below the two lights on a 3 Position Home Signal called?

Answer 7

“C” light

Question 8

When are Medium Speed aspects used?

Answer 8

• Junctions or Diverging Running lines
• Short track sections

Question 9

What Type are all 3 Position Signals on the Metro Network?

Answer 9

Light Type

Question 10

What are the 3 classes of Three Position Signals?

Answer 10

• Home
• Automatic
• Dwarf

Question 11

Who are Home Signals controlled by?

Answer 11

Signaller (unless the Automatic “A” light is aluminated)

Question 12

3 Position Signals are fixed at and protect?

Answer 12

• Stations
• Signal boxes
• Sidings
• Level crossings
• Junctions

Question 13

Who must give authorisation to pass Home Signals at Stop?

Answer 13

Area Controller/Signaller

Question 14

What are Automatic Signals primary purpose?

Answer 14

Speed up the passage of trains by dividing a long section of track into shorter sections

Question 15

How May a driver pass an Automatic Signal at Stop?

Answer 15

Using Rule 1 Section 3

Question 16

Who control Dwarf Signals?

Answer 16

Signaller

Question 17

Dwarf Signals control train movements from:

Answer 17

• Running line to Running line
• Running line to Sidings
• Sidings to Running line
• Sidings to sidings

Question 18

What are the two classifications of Fixed Signals?

Answer 18

• Absolute
• Permissive

Question 19

What signals are considered Absolute?

Answer 19

Home, Dwarf and Disc

(Meaning a signaller needs to give them authorisation to pass Stop signal)

Question 20

What signals are considered Permissive?

Answer 20

Automatic

(Meaning a driver can use Rule 1 Section 3 to give themself authorisation to pass Stop signal)

Question 21

What are the coloured lights displayed on a 3 Position Signal called?

Answer 21

The Aspect

Question 22

How many different combinations can a 3 Position Signal present?

Answer 22

• Home: 6 (7 if a Home signal has a “C” light)
• Automatic: 6
• Dwarf: 3

Question 23

What aspects can be displayed on a Home or Automatic signal that has a Marker light as its lower light?

Answer 23

• Normal Speed
• Stop

Question 24

What aspects can be displayed on a Home or Automatic signal that has a Marker light as its upper light?

Answer 24

• Medium Speed
• Stop

Question 25

When are Low Speed Caution signals used?

Answer 25

• From Running line to a Siding
  Or
• From Running line to Running line (Mostly for attached 3 cars to another 3 car or train rescues)

Question 26

When can a Lower Speed Caution never be used?

Answer 26

For train movements into a bi-directional portion of track

Question 27

What is the 3 Position Signal Sequence?

Answer 27

1. Clear Normal Speed
2. Normal Speed Warning or Medium Speed Warning
3. Stop

(Reduce to Medium will be prior to Medium Speed Warning)

Question 28

What does an Illuminated 65 or 80 indicate on a three position Home or Automatic signal?

Answer 28

There are high speed points instead of normal 40km/h points ahead

Question 29

What does an Illuminated “A” indicate on a three position Home signal?

Answer 29

• The signal is operating in Automatic mode
• The rules for passing a Stop aspect are now the same as an Automatic signal
• The points for that Home signal are set for the mainline

Question 30

An Illuminated “A” can only be displayed on what three position signal?

Answer 30

A Home signal with a Stop aspect

(The illuminated “A” is always the colour Red)

Question 31

What is a Switched In Signal Box?

Answer 31

When the Signaller is operating the Points and Signals

Question 32

What is a Switched Out Signal Box?

Answer 32

When the Signaller is OFF duty meaning the signal box is unattended

(This is known as Fleeting Mode which means the signaller has set the points for normal running lines)

Question 33

What 3 aspects can be displayed by a Three Position Dwarf signal?

Answer 33

• Stop 🔴🔵🟣
• Low Speed Caution 🟡
• Clear Low Speed 🟢

Question 34

What is the primary purpose of a Banner Indicator?

Answer 34

To indicate the aspect of the Signal ahead where a clear view of that Signal can’t be obtained

Question 35

What does a Banner Indicator with a horizontal line indicate?

Answer 35

Stop 🔴

Question 36

What does a Banner Indicator with a diagonal line indicate?

Answer 36

Warning 🟡

Question 37

What does a Banner Indicator with a vertical line indicate?

Answer 37

Proceed 🟢

Question 38

Are Banner Indicators considered a Fixed Signal?

Answer 38

No

Question 39

What do drivers do if a Banner Indicator has a Fault?

Answer 39

• Report fault to Train Control at Metrol (provide them with the number of the Banner Indicator)