Track safety test

Question 1

Rule 908 Blocking (1)

Answer 1

Blocking means holding signals at STOP or points set to prevent rail movements to enter a section of line

Question 2

Blocking enquiry process (7)

Answer 2

• Identity
• Type of protection requested
• On tracking location (at location)
• In multi line areas, state lines being occupied or obstructed
• Occupation area including off tracking location
• Time required for work; and
• Nature of work

Question 3

Pre authorization checks for 908 (5)

Answer 3

Ensure the the proposed occupancy will not conflict with rail movements (trains, Hi-rail vehicles, etc)
Confirm the location of conflicting rail movements;
Confirm the last train clear of on tracking location;
Record the details on the graph; and
Apply blocking to the signals and points

Question 4

Authorization process (7)

Answer 4

Adressee
‘At’ location
Commencement time and clearance time
In multi line area state lines being occupied or obstructed
Proceed / Work at / Work between locations
Last train clear
Section of track verified block

Question 5

Work at (1)

Answer 5

The authority is provided for work happening at one location only at a specific meterage (or less than 2km work between)

Question 6

Work between (1)

Answer 6

The movement may work in either direction between the locations specified

Question 7

Proceed (1)

Answer 7

The movement must only proceed in one direction specified. Hi-rail vehicles and trolleys may set back back short distances up to to 100m within the limits of the proceed authority provided the movement is able to stop within half the clear visible distance and clear of any obstruction.

Question 8

R905 (1)

Answer 8

Compulsory stop protection is a system for protecting trains/rail vehicles from entering planned work areas using a series of boards

Question 9

Advance warning board meaning and distance (1)

Answer 9

Caution, prepare to stop ahead. Erected 2000m from work area

Question 10

Inner warning board (1)

Answer 10

Also known as whistle board, sound your whistle and prepare to stop at compulsory stop board. Erected 1000M from the work area

Question 11

Compulsory stop board (1)

Answer 11

Stop and obtain authority from the RPO shown on the call sign, sound horn before proceeding. CSP boards erected 500M from the work site

Question 12

Work area begins and ends boards (1)

Answer 12

Indicates the boundary between work area and safety buffer zone.

Question 13

Compulsory Stop Boards at Controlled Signals (3)

Answer 13

The Rail Protection Officer establishing the protection must:
Communicate with Train Control.
Arrange for the signals to be held at “Stop” to prevent confusion.

The Train Controller must:
Apply Blocking to the signals being held at “Stop” until advised by the Rail Protection Officer that the line is clear and safe for traffic to proceed.
After each movement, the blocking procedure for the signal must be reinstated.

Question 14

Canceling a mis60 (5)

Answer 14

The adressee must report to train control when the limits of the mis60 have been cleared.
Train control will then correctly acknowledge the mis60 being cancelled with both the addressee and train control completing the appropriate portions of the mis60
The addressee will confirm by the words “that is correct” and then destroy the Mis60.
Other addressees will be advised by train control that the mis60 has been cancelled and the appropriate portion of the Mis60 is to be complete
Used Mis60s are archived in train control. The train control manager, or their delegate, will also carry out regular checks on Mis60 issues as part of the safety observation procedures.

Question 15

Sequence for issuing a Mis60 (7)

Answer 15

1 - Establish the exact purpose and limits of Mis60
2 - Carry out safety checks
3 - Draw the area on the train control diagram in blue pen
4 - Prepare the Mis60
5 - Ensure the appropriate protection has been applied
6 - Transmit the Mis60 to the signaler (if applicable) and obtain a correct readback
7 - Transmit the Mis60 to the addressee and obtain a correct readback

Question 16

Pre-issue safety checks for Mis60 (6)

Answer 16

Verify the addressee’s identity & location ensuring the Mis60 is received by the correct person
Establish a Mis60 is not still in force within any part of the area the permit is about to be issued
Plot the Mis60 on the Train Control diagram & establish that there is no conflict before preparing the Mis60
Draw the limits of the Mis60 in blue pen as a block for all activities
Draw the number of the Mis60 in a blue pen circle adjacent to the permit line

Question 17

Reissuing a Mis60 (5)

Answer 17

First obtain confirmation that the line concerned is safe & clear if the area is to be changed.
Reissue the Mis60 covering the changed area/hours with the previous permit cancelled on the reissued permit in the special conditions portion.
Cancel the previous Mis60 by entering the cancellation time as the time the reissued permit was issued.
Advise all addressees accordingly.
Remember to cancel previous on in the special conditions

Question 18

ITD can be used for:

Answer 18

Moving on foot (inspections, investigations, site familiarisations);

Making minor corrections which will not interfere with the safe running of trains; and

When crossing the line at a maintenance crossing.

Question 19

MTMV definition

Answer 19

MTMVs can be several kinds of heavy machinery fitted to work on the track.
Some of the vehicles are fitted with devices for being set off track.
MTMV’s may be operated singly or as a group.
When travelling on rail beyond the PWA,
MTMV’s running as a group must be coupled
together and be scheduled as a train.

Question 20

Every MTMV that is travelling will have a

three-digit ID, similar to a train number, i.e. BV2

Answer 20

The first letter relates to the line it is travelling on.
The second letter relates to whether the MTMV will activate track circuits or not.
The third number relates to direction up or down.

Question 21

MTMV’s Travelling as “V”

Answer 21

MTMV with axle loads 10t and over with 4 or more axles may be relied upon to activate track circuits so will:

Be protected by track circuits/axle counters and detected on signal panels; and

Operate level crossing alarms

Question 22

MTMV’s Travelling as “R”

Answer 22

MTMV with axle loads under 10t and or less than 4 axles:

Will not be protected by track circuits in Automatic Signalling areas;

May not activate level crossing alarms; and

May not be detected on signal panels.

Question 23

Foul Time can be used for:

Answer 23

Occupancy of track on foot

Maintenance with light tools/ladders

HRV and Trolley movements on the
Midland Line

Question 24

Grease Truck track occupation:

Answer 24

When a track occupancy request is received for a Grease Truck, the authorisation must only to apply to sections of track that are completely clear of rail movements.

Grease Trucks cannot be authorised to follow trains or HRV’s as they are required to travel at 50km/h around curves.

Question 25

What follows a Grease Truck?

Answer 25

HRV’s can be authorised immediately after a grease run if:

Train Control is advised that the grease truck has deliberately not greased a planned work area (this will normally be communicated between the grease truck operator and section Ganger); or

The HRV movement is necessary for an inspection for safety purposes (such as heat or weather inspections), or urgent faults (such as broken rails).