Week 3 - Permissive Working, Tail Lamp, Stop And Examine, Level Crossing Local Control, Weather

Question 1

What are the 3 levels of rail adhesion?

What are their definitions? (TW1 Reg 28.1)

Answer 1

(TIGER) Traction Is:

• Good - rail adhesion conditions are good
• Expected - rail adhesion is no worse than would be expected for the location and environmental conditions
• Reportable - rail adhesion is worse than would be expected for the location and environmental conditions

Question 2

When must a controlled test stop be carried out? (TW1 Reg 28.3)

Answer 2

• Control (or the person on site) tell you that the rail head has been inspected and nothing unusual has been found
• Control (or the person on site) tell you that the rail head has been treated
• At least 30 minutes have passed since the reportable rail head conditions were reported

Question 3

What must a signaller do when arranging a controlled test stop? (TW1 Reg 28)

Answer 3

• if possible, arrange for the test to be performed by a similar type of train to that which reported the conditions
• arrange for the signal, where provided, to be cleared
• where permissive working is authorised, make sure that the platform line is clear

NB in the case if a dead-end platform, you must not arrange for a test stop to be made unless you have been told that the rail head has been treated

Question 4

When you have been advised of ‘reportable’ rail adhesion, when can you resume normal working? (TW1 Reg 28.4)

Answer 4

• When a controlled test stop has been carried out

and

• Rail adhesion is deemed no longer reportable

Question 5

What are the 5 reportable levels of flood water? (M3 Reg 4.1)

Answer 5

• up to the bottom of the rail head
• up to the top of the rail head
• above the top of the rail head
• is moving and likely to dislodge the ballast
• has dislodged the ballast

Question 6

If the water is still, has not dislodged any ballast and is unlikely to dislodge any ballast, what can we allow trains to do? (M3 Reg 4.2)

Answer 6

Up to the bottom of the rail head —> trains can continue normally

Up to the top of the rail head —> trains can run at a maximum of 5mph (10km/h)

Water is above the rail head —> Suspend the normal running of trains, inform Control and await instructions

Question 7

If we have a report of moving water that is likely to dislodge ballast or that has dislodged ballast what must we do? (M3 Reg 4.1 {comment by diagram})

Answer 7

Stop trains, inform Control and await instructions

Question 8

How can we run trains when there is snow? (M3 Reg 5.2)

Answer 8

• we can run trains normally unless you are told that snow is deeper than 200mm (8 inches) above the top of the rail head
• if the snow is deeper than 200mm (8 inches) above the top of the rail head, you must suspend the normal running of trains and tell operations control (and await instructions)

Question 9

What are the 3 possibilities to be considered if a door is open on a train and what are we required to do? (TS1 Reg 19.5)

Answer 9

1) A person has fallen from the train
- you must arrange to examine the line

2) It is not known whether a person has fallen from the train
- stop the first train on each line and tell the driver what has happened
- instruct the driver to proceed at caution over the affected portion of the line

3) It is confirmed no-one has fallen from the train
- resume normal working (once it is confirmed that the door has been closed)

Question 10

When must the Stop and Examine regulation (TS1 Reg 19) be used?

Answer 10

If you become aware of anything unusual or wrong such as:

• Fire (vehicle on fire)
• Insecure load
• Signals of alarm
• Hot axle box
• Person has fallen from train
• Other mishaps
• Noise (unusual noise coming from a train)
• Door open or on the catch

Question 11

When using the Stop and Examine regulation (TS1 Reg 19) what else must you look out for?

Answer 11

Damage to the infrastructure which might have been caused by the train including:

• Multiple or sequential track circuit failures
• Multiple or sequential loss of detection of points

Question 12

What must you do if you become aware that a tail lamp is out or missing? (TS2 Reg 6)

Answer 12

• you must find out whether the train is complete

- you must tell the driver of that train that the tail lamp is out or missing

Question 13

Why are tail lamps important?

Answer 13

• they tell you if a train is complete and no vehicles have been left in section
• informs a driver of a train ahead

Question 14

What must you do if a tail lamp that is out or missing enters an area controlled by another signaller before you can find out if it is complete or before you are told the tail lamp has been replaced? (TS2 Reg 6)

Answer 14

Tell the signaller

Question 15

During darkness or poor visibility, where permissive working is authorised and you are aware that the tail lamp is out or missing what must we do? (TS2 Reg 6)

Answer 15

You must not signal another train into the same section until you have been told a red light has been placed on the rear of the train

Question 16

When will TPWS stop a train by automatically initiating a brake demand? (RS522 Reg 2.1.2)

Answer 16

• Passed a signal at danger WITHOUT AUTHORITY
• Approaching a signal at danger too fast
• Approaching a reduction in permissible speed too fast
• Approaching buffer stops too fast

Question 17

Is TPWS designed to prevent SPADs? (RS522 Reg 2.1.2)

Answer 17

No, it is designed to mitigate against the consequences of a SPAD

Question 18

How long should a driver detained at a a signal at danger wait before contacting the signaller? (S4 Reg 1.1)

Answer 18

• They must contact the signaller as soon as possible unless there is an obvious reason for the signal being at danger, in which case they should wait for 2 minutes
• If the signaller has told you to wait for the signal to clear, they must contact the signaller again every 5 minutes unless the signaller has given them other instructions

Question 19

How can you stop trains in an emergency? (G1 Reg 3 {sort of})

Answer 19

• Signals to danger
• Radio messages
• Emergency alarm
• Red flags or lights

Question 20

If the signal at a diverging junction does not have approach release (approach control) arrangements, you must not clear the signal for a route where the speed must be reduced until when? When does this not apply? (TS1 Reg 4.11.1)

Answer 20

• Until the train is close to the signal
• You must also be sure that the speed of the train has been suitably reduced
• This does not apply if the train that is to pass is shown to take that route in the working timetable or supplement to the working timetable

Question 21

What is Permissive Working?

Answer 21

A method of signalling a train movement into a section of line that is occupied by another train(s) or rail vehicle(s)

{violates the principle of track circuit block}

Question 22

When can we carry out permissive working? (TS2 Reg 3.3.1 and 3.4)

Answer 22

• When published in the SBSI’s

- In an emergency if authorised by the SSM or Control

Question 23

What types of lines can we do permissive working on and which classes of trains can do it? (TS2 Reg 3.3.2)

Answer 23

Goods Lines
- 3 to 8 and 0

Passenger (other than Platform) Lines
- 3 to 8 and 0

Platform Lines

• 1, 2, 3 ECS, 5, 9 and 0
• any class of train formed only of MPV vehicles when operating as a railhead treatment or inspection train

Question 24

Can we allow permissive working in poor visibility? (TS2 Reg 3.3.3)

Answer 24

You must no allow permissive working to take place during poor visibility, except on platform lines

{typically platform lines are lit, so we should be able to see more on a platform line than on a passenger or goods line in given environmental conditions, and their locations are well known}

Question 25

What is the definition of poor visibility? (TS1 Reg 7.1)

Answer 25

Less than 183m / 200 yards

Question 26

What are the additional regulations for permissive working on platform lines? (TS2 Reg 3.3.3)

Answer 26

• You must not signal a second train into an occupied platform if you have already cleared the first train to leave that platform
• If you are not sure that there is enough room for the second train, you must get confirmation that there is room before clearing the signal for the second train
• If a movement has already been authorised on that platform line, you must get confirmation, from the person in charge of the movement, that it has been completed before you clear the signal for the second train
• Once you have signalled a second train into an occupied platform, you must wait until the second train has stopped in the platform before you can allow the first train to leave
• If a train is not booked to call at a station, you must tell the driver what is happening before you signal the train into an occupied line

Question 27

What are the regulations for emergency permissive working? (TS2 Reg 3.4)

Answer 27

• Authority must be given by SSM or Control
• You must make sure there is ‘enough’ room to safely deal with the train at the platform
• Before you allow a train to proceed, you must tell the driver what has happened, and instruct the driver to pass the signal at danger
• You must also tell the driver that when the train has arrived at the station platform, no further movement is to be made without the authority of the signaller

Question 28

Before allowing routine road maintenance lasting only a short time near an AHBC crossing that might interfere with the flow of road traffic, what must you do? (TS9 Reg 3.3)

Answer 28

• Find out from the person concerned how long the work will take
• Make sure that there is enough time between trains to prevent delay
• Make sure that the protecting signals are placed at danger or the route is closed and that any approaching train has pass clear of the crossing
• Tell the person concerned to report back when the work is finished and the crossing is clear

Question 29

What should you do if the person concerned (with routine road maintenance near an AHBC) does not report back by the agreed time that the work is finished? (TS9 Reg 3.3)

Answer 29

You must make sure that the driver of each train is told to:

• Approach the crossing at caution
• Not pass over it until it is safe for the passage of trains
• Tell you whether the crossing is safe for the passage of trains

You must do this until you have been told that the crossing is safe for the passage of trains

Question 30

What must you do before allowing a signalling technician to carry out routine maintenance of equipment that will interfere with the normal operation of the (AHBC) crossing? (TS9 Reg 3.4)

Answer 30

You must make sure:

• The protecting signals are at danger or the route is closed
• Any approaching train has passed clear of the crossing

Question 31

Once you have given a signalling technician permission to carry out routine maintenance of crossing equipment at an AHBC, how long must you keep the protecting signals at danger or keep the route closed? (TS9 Reg 3.4)

Answer 31

You must keep the protecting signals at danger or the route closed until the technician tells you that:

• The work is finished, and
• The crossing is working automatically

Question 32

What may a signalling technician ask you to do once they have finished doing routine maintenance of crossing equipment at an AHBC? (TS9 Reg 3.4)

Answer 32

If the signalling technician asks you to do so, you must make sure that the driver of the first train in each direction is told to:

• Approach the crossing at caution
• Not pass over it until the driver has made sure it is safe to do so

Question 33

What failures or problems might there be with an AHBC which would require it to be under local control? (TS9 Reg 3.6 and 3.8)

Answer 33

• Failure of crossing equipment affecting the normal operation of the crossing
• Train fails within the crossing controls
• The normal flow of road traffic over the crossing is affected by emergency roadworks or a road traffic incident close to the crossing
• Planned roadworks (other than those that can be dealt with in Reg 3.3) which may affect the normal flow of traffic
• A movement needs to be made over the crossing in a direction for which there are no controls
• A train required to stop in the section will stop within the crossing controls
• A train is to pass over the crossing while maintenance work is taking place that affects its normal operation
• Single line working is to be introduced where there are no wrong-direction moves

Question 34

An AHBC crossing is operated locally during the whole time of the line blockage or T3 possession, except when? (TS9 Reg 3.7)

Answer 34

Unless any of the following apply:

• The crossing controls will not be affected by the work
• During a possession, the only movements over the crossing will be made by engineering trains passing normally in a direction for which there are controls
• If it is published or control agree that the crossing needs to be under local control only while it is affected by the work

Question 35

Until a LXA has taken local control at an AHBC how do we signal trains over the crossing? (TS9 Reg 3.6)

Answer 35

You must instruct the driver of each train which is required to pass over the crossing to:

• Approach the crossing at caution
• Not pass over it until the driver has made sure it is safe to do so

Question 36

Before a LXA takes local control at an AHBC when must we not caution a train over the crossing? (TS9 Reg 3.6)

Answer 36

If the barriers have failed in the raised position AND the road-traffic signals are not working, you must not authorise a train to pass over the crossing until there is an attendant at the crossing

Question 37

What must you ensure before allowing a LXA to take local control at an AHBC? (TS9 Reg 3.9.1)

Answer 37

You must make sure that:

• That the protecting signals are at danger, with reminder appliances
• That any train (other than the failed train) has passed clear of the crossing unless you have already instructed the driver of the train to:
  1) Approach the crossing at caution
  2) Not pass over the crossing until the driver has made sure that it is safe to do so

Question 38

After an LXA has taken local control at an AHBC how do we run trains over the crossing? (TS9 Reg 3.9.3)

Answer 38

Before clearing the signal or issue a movement authority, you must tell the driver of each train to:

• Approach the crossing at caution
• Not pass over it until authorised by a green handsignal shown at the crossing

You must tell the attendant about the approach of each train in time to allow the attendant to lower the barriers before the train arrives

Question 39

What do we do when local control is no longer necessary at an AHBC? (TS9 Reg 3.9.4)

Answer 39

You must tell the attendant to reset the equipment for automatic working when you are sure:

• No train is approaching the crossing, and
• Any train which has passed over the crossing has also passed clear of the crossing controls for each direction. If necessary, you must also wait until the train is clear of the section.

Question 40

What must we do before authorising the LXA to leave an AHBC crossing and resuming normal working? (TS9 Reg 3.9.4)

Answer 40

You must make sure that you have the normal indications from the crossing after it has been reset to automatic working

Question 41

What must we do if we become aware that the road sign for large and slow vehicles is missing at an AHBC? (TS9 Reg 3.10)

Answer 41

You must make sure that the driver of each train is told:

• Approach the crossing at caution
• Not to pass over the crossing until the driver has made sure that it is safe to do so
• You must continue to do this until the sign has been replaced

Question 42

What are the 2 scenarios for wrong direction movements at an AHBC? (TS9 Reg 3.2)

Answer 42

1) You must not authorise a wrong direction movement over an AHBC without wrong direction controls unless the crossing is being locally controlled by an attendant
2) If an AHBC has wrong direction controls, you must make sure that local control has been taken before a wrong direction movement starts between the wrong direction speed restriction board and the crossing

Question 43

What problems and failures would require a CCTV crossing to be taken under local control? (TS9 Reg 6.9)

Answer 43

• The barriers fail to respond to the controls
• Track circuit between the protecting signals or block markers and the crossing fails, is disconnected or is occupied by a failed train
• The mains power supply fails and the failure is likely to last for an extended period
• Single line working is to be introduced over the crossing. The attendant must have taken duty before you allow the first train in the wrong direction to pass over the crossing (unless the SBSI allows SLW to be introduced without appointing an attendant)
• Before you grant possession of one or more lines if any of the following applies
  1) The work might cause track circuits to be activated within the protecting signal
  2) An engineering train or OTP (on track plant) is to work within the protecting signal or within 200m of the crossing

Question 44

Is local control required for an unsatisfactory picture at a CCTV crossing? (TS9 Reg 6.9)

Answer 44

No. An attendant is required to attend, but will not be required to take local control.

Question 45

How do we signal a train over a CCTV crossing before an attendant arrives?

Answer 45

Lower the barriers

Advise the driver to:

• Pass the signal at danger
• Approach the crossing at caution
• Only cross if it is safe to do so

Question 46

What must we do before allowing local control to be taken at a CCTV crossing (TS9 Reg 6.10)

Answer 46

• Any approaching train has passed clear of the crossing
• The protecting signals are at danger or the route is closed
• No route has been set beyond the protecting signals or block markers

Question 47

What must we do when an attendant arrives at a CCTV crossing? (TS9 Reg 6.10)

Answer 47

You must tell them whether they are required to place the crossing on local control or to tell you whether the crossing is clear (i.e. establish a method of working)

Question 48

Are we able to allow local control to be taken at a CCTV crossing with a train occupying the track circuit? (TS9 Reg 6.10)

Answer 48

Yes, if a train has failed between the protecting signal at danger or block marker and the crossing and the driver has told you that the train will not be moved without your permission

Question 49

How do we signal a train over a CCTV crossing under local control? (TS9 Reg 6.10.3)

Answer 49

• Advise the attendant that a train needs to cross
• Tell the attendant to lower the barriers
• Get attendant to confirm that the barriers are down and that the crossing is clear
• Authorise the driver to pass the protecting signal at danger and then obey all further aspects
• If the movement is in a direction for which there is no signalled route, or for any movement in a possession, you must tell the attendant to display a green handsignal {you must do this even if the attendant hasn’t taken local control}

Question 50

What do we do when local control is no longer necessary at a CCTV crossing? (TS9 Reg 6.10.4)

Answer 50

• Tell the attendant to lower the barriers and then reset the crossing for normal working
• Before allowing the attendant to leave, you must make sure that the barriers respond correctly when you operate them

Question 51

How do we pass a train over a CCTV crossing in a wrong direction movement with an attendant present? (TS9 Reg 6.8.1)

Answer 51

Regardless of whether it is under local control:

• Authorise driver to approach the crossing without stopping opposite the protecting signal or block marker on the other line
• Only pass over the crossing when authorised by a green handsignal shown at the crossing
• If the crossing is NOT under local control, you must make sure the barriers are lowered, make sure the crossing is clear, and then tell the attendant to show a green handsignal

Question 52

How do we pass a train over a CCTV crossing in a wrong direction movement without an attendant present? (TS9 Reg 6.8.2)

Answer 52

• Tell the driver to stop opposite the signal or black marker protecting the crossing on the other line
• Before authorising the driver, you must make sure the barriers are fully lowered and the crossing is clear
• If you are not sure that the barriers are fully lowered or if the crossing is clear, as long as the red road-lights indicator is lit, you must tell each driver to:

= Approach the level crossing at caution

= not pass over it until the driver has made sure it is safe to do so