So

Question 1

Where is the PICOS (Person In Charge Of Shunting) office located?

Answer 1

Next to the drivers room, adjacent to the lines

Question 2

If you are coupling on a bend, what do you need to ensure on the Unit? (You may need to press something in the cab)

Answer 2

That both of the coupling jaws are open
(May need to press the Uncouple button on a Unit to open it)

Question 3

Getting a taxi to Soho…. you have the Unit number on your diagram. What do you do when you arrive?

Answer 3

Go to the PICOS office
Tell the PICOS what headcode you have got
He will tell you what Unit you are taking and which road it is on….. and hand you a prep slip (one per Unit and an extra one for doors)

Use the authorised walking route
Identify your train
Do a quick visual check for any pipes, doors open etc (this should have been done by the person who completed the prep sheet)

Get in the train, put the prep sheet in the non-drivers side window (if double Unit, put the second slip in the other Unit)
Sound horn when ready to move

Draw up to the PICOS office window (just before the grey building) and stop
PICOS will wave you on, which is the authority to go past the 6 Board past the train wash (SPAD if you do not wait for this authority)

Operate the train wash button so your train doesn’t get washed
You can go at 5mph through the wash if you have pressed the button (otherwise it’s 3mph)

Obey the Ground Position Light which is located past the train wash on a curve

Question 4

What are the speed limits at Soho?

Answer 4

5mph
3mph in/out of the shed (increase to 5mph if leaving….. upon reaching the crossover)
3mph if you are using the train wash

Question 5

Do ALL of the points need to be Facing or Trailing?

Answer 5

Facing

Question 6

What do you have to remember to do upon making any shunting movements?

Answer 6

Sound your horn

Question 7

What are the King Points? (….. located where there are 2 levers, it is the smaller of the 2 and is operated only by the shunter)

Answer 7

It is the main set of points which allows you to do a move on the whole of the depot

Question 8

Where are the 3 Stop Boards?

Answer 8

1 = After you arrive in the LMD Arrival Line @ 15mph max
2. When you have stopped at the 6/8 Car Stop Board past the train wash…. Changed ends to come back towards the Depot
3. On approach into 11 road

Question 9

What must you do when stopped at the Stop Board?

Answer 9

Wait for instruction from the shunter

Question 10

Can you ever leave your train on the LMD Arrival Line?

Answer 10

No…. unless the shunter instructs you differently

Question 11

If you are a 6 car Unit and you have stopped at the 6/8 Car Stop Board past the train wash for a shunting movement back into the Depot….. what do you have to do in order to return the other way?

Answer 11

Get out of the train and use the Authorised Walking Route to get back in the other end

Question 12

When you go past the 6/8 Car Stop Board you are then on Network Rail infrastructure….. will the signaller know you are there?

Answer 12

Yes because you will occupy a Track Circuit

Question 13

If you are returning to the main line and going back to New Street….. where do you stop after the Ground Position Light beyond the train wash? What happens next?

Answer 13

3/4 and 6/8 Car Stop Board (which are before the main line signal)
You would change ends and obey the main aspect signal BW 7202

Question 14

When your train is clear of the train wash, what is the max speed? (I.e. you are proceeding towards to Ground Position Light)

Answer 14

15mph max

Question 15

If the train wash line is not in use, can you be diverted?

Answer 15

Yes because you can use the By-pass line

Question 16

The Stop Board by the train wash…. which lines does this apply to?

Answer 16

(Note the Stop Board has 2 arrows on it….. for:)
The train wash line
The By-pass line

Question 17

What colour is the lever handle to operate the King Points?

Answer 17

White

Question 18

What is the Ferry Driver responsible for doing?

Answer 18

Train prep
(He would fill out the white prep form, rip it off, hand to the PICOS)

Question 19

If you have coupled up a Unit, what lights would you then display in the middle Unit cabs?

Answer 19

No lights (because the Unit is boxed in you don’t need any on)

Question 20

Why is the OLE zig zagged? (you find this everywhere, not just at Soho)

Answer 20

So the Pantograph head is evenly worn down…… If the OLE was completely straight then it would wear down the pan head in the same position and cause a groove which would result in an ADD occuring

Question 21

How many sidings are there?

Answer 21

11

Question 22

What is the maximum number of vehicles allowed in each siding?

Answer 22

8

Question 23

What does the shunter need to do if your train is diagrammed to go past the Ground Position Light past the train wash? (I.e. to head back to New Street)

Answer 23

Obtain permission from the Stour Valley signaller

Question 24

Which Lines go in/out of the shed?

Answer 24

9 and 10

Question 25

What do you see before you leave the shed..... or before you go in the shed?

Answer 25

Ground Position Light.... you must wait for 2 whites at 45 degrees

Question 26

BW 7202 is the signal after the wash plant that you use to return you to the Up Stour Line going back to New Street (.....when you have stopped at the Car Stop Board and changed ends)........ It has a Theatre Box which can display 2 letters, which are.....? Also, what are the position lights for?

Answer 26

U = Up Stour C = Up Soho Curve (I.e. towards Perry Barr) The Position Lights = Soho Depot

Question 27

If you need to travel in the wrong direction up the LMD Arrival Line (shunter needs permission from the signaller)..... what 2 features protect this portion of line?

Answer 27

Ground Position Light, opposite the Stop Board Limit of Shunt

Question 28

Mainline signal BW 4197 has a Junction Indicator Position 4 for the Down Soho Line (heading towards Perry Barr)..... what else does it have for the LMD Arrival Line?

Answer 28

Position Lights

Question 29

What speed can you turn on to the LMD Arrival Line at?

Answer 29

15mph max

Question 30

EXAM..... BW 4197..... What indication do you require at this signal if you are going on to the LMD Arrival Line? Maximum speed through the crossover?

Answer 30

Position Lights 15mph max through the crossover

Question 31

EXAM..... 1. Who gives you permission to pass the Stop Board in the LMD Arrival Line? 2. How can this person be identified? 3. Are you allowed to leave the unit unattended if this person is not present?

Answer 31

1. PICOS (Person In Charge of Sidings) 2. They will be wearing a High Visibility jacket with PICOS on the back 3. No

Question 32

EXAM..... BW 4199 on the Down Stour..... 1. What indication do you require if you are going on to the Down Soho Goods Loop? (2) 2. What is the speed through the crossover?

Answer 32

1. Junction Indicator position 1...... or Position Lights + "SL" in the theatre box route indicator 2. 15mph

Question 33

EXAM..... Apart from signals BW 4197 and BW 4199, what 3 other ways can you be routed on to Soho Depot? (3)

Answer 33

1. On the Down Soho line, go past signals BW 4197, BW 4199 and BW 4205.... continue under Soho Street Bridge and stop behind BW 7206 (which is on the Down Stour but facing in the Up Direction). When clear of the signal, change ends, and proceed to Soho Depot when given Position Lights + 'SL' in the theatre box 2. On the Up Stour Line you pass BW4204 and then stop after Ground Position Light BW1201.... change ends and when the GPL clears you can proceed into the Down Soho Goods Loop.... stop at the correct car stop marker board.... change ends..... obey BW7202 position lights which takes you into Soho Depot 3. SP6631 displays a proceed aspect and "L" in the theatre box (or Position Lights and "SL"), proceed into the Down Soho Goods Loop.... stop at the correct car stop marker board.... change ends..... obey BW7202 position lights which takes you into Soho Depot

Question 34

EXAM..... Max speed in the sidings?

Answer 34

5mph

Question 35

EXAM..... Max speed through the wash plant?

Answer 35

3mph

Question 36

EXAM..... What is the name of the main set of points? What do they signify?

Answer 36

King Points Signifies where Soho Depot commences

Question 37

EXAM..... How many roads are there? Which roads are not electrified?

Answer 37

11 roads + the additional 8a shunt neck 8a shunt neck and 11 road are not electrified

Question 38

EXAM..... Describe the walking route from the shunter's office to the sidings.....

Answer 38

Leave the shunter's office and turn right and proceed along the Authorised Walking Route, to the right of the maintenance shed...... still on the Authorised Walking Route, go round the back of the shed towards the stop blocks, and then walk down the relevant road walkway to your Unit

Question 39

EXAM..... What is the procedure for driving: 1. A 3 car unit on to Soho? 2. A 6 car unit on to Soho?

Answer 39

1. Stop at the Stop Board, where you will be met by the PICOS. They will give you instructions to proceed towards the wash plant, stop at the 3 car stop board, change ends, wait for their handsignal and then proceed towards the agreed road or agreed movement 2. Stop at the Stop Board, where you will be met by the PICOS. They will give you instructions. You will then draw forward and stop where they tell you in order for the ferry driver to get on in the rear cab (watch for their "stop" handsignal). You then receive a 2 on the bell buzzer which you repeat back. As per the PICOS instructions, you will carry on towards the wash plant, press the button before the entrance, and proceed to the 6 car stop board and stop. The ferry driver will then take the train towards the agreed road or agreed movement

Question 40

EXAM..... What hand signal do you require when being dispatched from Soho: 1. During the day 2. At night

Answer 40

1. Hand held steady above the head 2. Green light

Question 41

EXAM..... What is the procedure for entering the shed?

Answer 41

Obtain permission from the Designated Person..... Draw up to the Ground Position Light located on approach to the shed. Wait for the GPL to clear and you can see that the derailers are down. Sound horn and proceed max 3mph into the shed and stop at the correct Car Stop Board

Question 42

EXAM..... What is the procedure for exiting the shed?

Answer 42

Obtain permission from the Designated Person..... Wait for the raised Ground Position Light to clear and you can see the derailers are down. Sound horn and proceed at 3mph until clear of the shed

Question 43

EXAM..... After being dispatched from Soho, what is the first signal you require? Describe the rest of the move on to the Down Soho Goods Loop before being routed on to the Up Stour....

Answer 43

The first signal is Ground Position Light BW 1203, which is located after the wash plant Procedure after passing the wash plant..... Stop at the correct 3/4 or 6/8 Car Stop Board (which are before the main line signal) Change ends and obey the main aspect signal BW 7202 (which is for the Down Soho Goods Loop) which is on your RHS Main aspect with "U" in the theatre box = Up Stour

Question 44

EXAM..... BW 7202 (on the Down Soho Goods Loop facing in the Up direction)..... what indications can be given for proceeding towards: 1. New Street in the Up Direction 2. Up Soho Curve line 3. Soho LMD

Answer 44

1. Main aspect with "U" in the theatre box = Up Stour 2. Main aspect with "C" in the theatre box = Up Soho Curve (I.e. towards Perry Barr) 3. Position Lights = Soho Depot