Week 5 - Failures of Signalling Equipment

Question 1

When is it necessary to use regulation TS2 Reg 3.5 (aka “3.5 working)? (TS2 Reg 3.5.1)

Answer 1

When one of the following applies:

• Signalling equipment is being worked on or has failed
• SLW is in operation
• An out-of-gauge train is to travel between two signal boxes

Question 2

What must be done before normal working is to resume after 3.5 working? (TS2 Reg 3.5.5)

Answer 2

Before returning to normal working, you must both agree how this is to be done

Question 3

If the train describers equipment fails or is disconnected what must you do? (TS2 Reg 8.1)

Answer 3

You must keep a record of the trains within your area of control

Question 4

If the train describers equipment fails or is disconnected and a train enters and area controlled by another signaller what must you do? (TS2 Reg 8.1)

Answer 4

• You must tell the signaller the identity of the train

- If that signaller is at another signal box, you must send the train description by either bell or telephone

Question 5

If the train describer equipment fails or is disconnected and it is not possible to pass on a train description how do we signal trains? (TS2 Reg 8.1)

Answer 5

You may allow trains to proceed and operate the signals in the normal way

Question 6

If you become aware of a train in your area of control for which you have not received a train description what must you do? (TS2 Reg 8.1)

Answer 6

• You must find out its identity

- If necessary you must stop the train

Question 7

What are the immediate actions when signalling equipment fails? (TS11 Reg 5.1)

Answer 7

You must:

• Make the operational railway safe
• Tell any other signallers affected
• Tell Control
• Make sure trains pass safely
• Enter the details in the Train Register Book

Question 8

If there has been an apparent failure of A SIGNAL OR SET OF POINTS, what must we confirm in order to determine whether it is a failure of the indications only? (TS11 Reg 5.2)

Answer 8

All of the following must apply:

• When cleared the protecting signal shows the correct aspect
• In the case of an automatic signal, the signal ahead including the overlap of the next STOP signal is clear, and the correct signal aspect is displayed
• After a train has passed the signal returns to danger
• The signal that protects the points can be cleared
• There is no indication that the electronic link has failed

Or S&T have confirmed that the failure concerns indications only

Question 9

How do we run trains when we have confirmed that the signal or set of points is working correctly and the failure is only of the indications? (TS11 Reg 5.2)

Answer 9

We run trains normally

Question 10

If a TRACK CIRCUIT fails to clear after the passage of a train or shows occupied for some other reason but the signal is able to show a proceed aspect or indication, what must you make sure of in order to determine whether it is only an indications failure only? (TS11 Reg 5.2)

Answer 10

All of the following apply:

• The last train has passed through the section
• The next train has been stopped and you have instructed the driver to proceed at caution when the signal is cleared and to report the correct signal aspect is shown at each signal concerned
• The driver has confirmed that each signal is showing the correct aspect (including any indication of route)
• After a train has passed, the signal returns to danger
• There is no indication that an electronic link has failed

You must apply this to each route if there is more than one route

S&T can also confirm that the failure concerns indications only

Question 11

How do we run trains when we have confirmed that the track circuit failure is a failure of the indications only? (TS11 Reg 5.2)

Answer 11

We run trains normally

Question 12

What is the definition of a defective signal? (TS11 Reg 1.1)

Answer 12

• A signal which is not operating or displaying correctly

OR

• Where the light is out when it should be illuminated

Question 13

What should we do if a controlled signal returns to danger for no apparent reason? How long should we do this for? (TS11 Reg 7.3)

Answer 13

• Tell Control and arrange for a signalling technician to attend
• Only allow a train to approach the signal when it is at danger
• Clear the signal only when the approaching train is stopped or nearly stopped at it

We do this until the signalling technician tells us that normal working can be resumed

Question 14

When can we allow a driver to approach a main aspect that is defective without telling them about it? (TS11 Reg 7.1)

Answer 14

• When we are sure that the signal is showing a danger aspect and the signal is kept at danger

or

• When we are sure the main aspect is showing the correct aspect and will not cause the driver to see an incorrect sequence

Question 15

If a main aspect is defective and a driver will see an incorrect sequence when approaching it, when can we allow a driver to approach it? (TS11 Reg 7.1)

Answer 15

• Once the driver has been told about the defect

AND one of the following applies

• The line is clear up to and including the overlap of the next STOP signal that is DISPLAYING THE CORRECT ASPECT, beyond the defective stop signal
• The line is clear up to and including the overlap of the second STOP signal beyond a defective DISTANT signal
• The line is clear to the buffer stops of a dead-end line

Question 16

A distant signal is blacked out and cannot display any aspect. The signal is on an open line with no buffer stops. When may the signaller allow a train to approach the defective signal? (TS11 Reg 7.1)

Answer 16

• The driver has been told about the defect

- The line is clear up to and including the overlap of the second stop signal beyond the defective distance signal

Question 17

If you are unable to clear a signal and the track circuit is showing clear when can you authorise the driver to pass the signal at danger? What are the additional requirements when the signal is on a single line? (TS11 Reg 9.3)

Answer 17

When all of the following are met:

• The last train has passed clear of the section
• No conflicting movement has been authorised
• You have told the driver that all track circuits are working and are showing clear
• If other signallers are involved, you have come to a clear understanding as to what is to be done

Additionally in the case of a single line:

• Operate any acceptance switch
• If the signal is controlled by another signal box, keep a record of when they are passing signals at danger
• If the single line is controlled from two signal boxes then trains must be signalled as in TS2 Reg 3.5

Question 18

If a defective signal is a signal forming one of a group of signals and there is no aspect or indication being displayed at that signal when there should be one, when must we tell the driver of each train approaching that group of signals? When do we not need to tell the driver? (TS11 Reg 13)

Answer 18

We tell the driver for every driver on:

• The line affected
• Any other line in the same direction

There is no requirement to advise the drivers of trains approaching that group of signals if the signal is on a line under possession

Question 19

A signal forming one of a group of signals is showing no aspect or indication when there should be one. Who needs to be informed about the defective signal?

Answer 19

• Drivers on the affected line
• Drivers on any other line in the same direction
• Any other signaller involved
• Control

Question 20

1) When must you not allow a train to approach a position-light signal, shunting signal, stop board or limit of shunt indicator at which the normal indication is defective?
2) When can we allow a train to approach a defective position-light signal, shunting signal, stop board or limit of shunt indicator? (TS11 Reg 11.1)

Answer 20

1) If a conflicting movement needs to be protected by that signal
2) The signal is not needed to protect a conflicting movement and the driver has been told about the defective signal

Question 21

When do we not need to stop a train and advise the driver about a defective banner repeating signal? (TS11 Reg 12)

Answer 21

When the signaller is able to set the signals to allow the defective banner repeater to display correct information to the driver for the associated signal

{Signal tells the truth or, You tell the driver}

Question 22

What is the definition of a right side track circuit failure? What must we do when we have one?

Answer 22

• If a track circuit fails to clear after the passage of a train or shows occupied for some other reason
• We must arrange for the line to be examined

Question 23

What is the definition of a wrong side track failure?

Answer 23

A track circuit that doesn’t show occupied when it should

Question 24

If a track circuit on a single line fails to clear after the passage of a train what type of working must we introduce? When does this not apply? (TS11 Reg 16)

Answer 24

• We must introduce working by pilotman

- This does not apply if an exception is authorised by the SBSI’s

Question 25

If a track circuit fails to clear after the passage of a train on a double line, when may we authorise the driver of each train to pass over the affected track circuit?

What do we need to do if two signal boxes are involved? (TS11 Reg 16.2)

Answer 25

As long as one of the following applies:

• You have made sure that the portion of line concerned is clear after the passage of a train
• A competent person has been appointed to report the train has passed complete with tail lamp
• You have seen the previous train occupy and clear the track circuit ahead of the signal beyond the affected portion of line

Where two signal boxes are involved we must introduce working as shown in TS2 Reg 3.5

Question 26

If a track circuit fails to clear after the passage of a train on a single line, when may we authorise the driver of each train to pass over the affected track circuit?

What do we need to do if two signal boxes are involved? (TS11 Reg 16.3)

Answer 26

As long as one of the following applies:

• You have made sure that the single line is clear after the passage of each train
• A competent person has been appointed to report the train has passed complete with tail lamp
• If you cannot make sure that each train leaving the train is complete with tail lamp, the pilotman accompanies each train

Where two signal boxes are involved we must introduce working as shown in TS2 Reg 3.5

Question 27

If a track circuit fails to clear after the passage of a train on a bi-directional line, when may we authorise the driver of each train to pass over the affected track circuit? (TS11 Reg 16.4)

Answer 27

When one of the following applies:

• You allow trains to work in one direction only and you carry out instructions relating to a double line (TS11 Reg 16.2)
• If trains are to pass in both directions you carry out instructions relating to a single line (TS11 Reg 16.3)

Question 28

When do the regulations in TS11 Reg 15 (When a train or vehicle fails to operate track circuits) not apply?

Answer 28

• Vehicles that cannot be relied upon to operate track circuits, or
• When you are not relying on the track circuit because of railhead conditions

Question 29

If a train fails to operate a track circuit what are the immediate actions? What must you also do? (TS11 Reg 15.1)

Answer 29

• Place or keep signals at danger or close the route to protect the train or vehicle
• Place or keep signals at danger or close the route to protect the track circuit concerned
• Tell Control (including the details of when the previous train passed over the track circuit concerned)

You must also arrange for the train to be stopped at the first available location so that the train can be examined

Question 30

Until the signalling technician tells you that the track circuit that failed to be operated by the passing of train can be relied upon to indicate the presence of a train correctly, what must you do before allowing a train to pass over the track circuit concerned? (TS11 Reg 15.2)

Answer 30

• Make sure that the previous train has passed beyond the overlap of the next stop signal beyond the track circuit concerned
• Keep points in the correct position for the train movement using individual points controls
• Place at danger any other signal or close any route which would conflict with this movement

Question 31

When a train is passing through a track circuit that is failing to show occupied when it should, where should approaching trains not be allowed beyond? (TS11 Reg 15.2)

Answer 31

Approaching trains must no be allowed to pass beyond the controlled signal or block marker on the approach to the signal or block marker protecting the track circuit concerned until the train has passed beyond the track circuit concerned

Question 32

If a track circuit on a single line fails to be operated by passing trains do we need to use a pilotman?

What method of working would we introduce? (TS11 Reg 15.2)

Answer 32

• No

- Signal trains as shown in TS2 Reg 3.5

Question 33

If a train or vehicle fails to operate a track circuit but has operated track circuits elsewhere, when do we not need to carry out the regulations shown in TS11 Reg 15 and TS11 Reg 16? (TS11 Reg 15.3)

Answer 33

• When the line has not been used for a considerable time

Or

• When the train was the first train to pass over a portion of line that was affected by a possession or line blockage

Question 34

If a track circuit that failed to operate with the passing of a train or vehicle is on a line or portion of line that has not been used for a considerable amount of time what must you do? (TS11 Reg 15.3)

Answer 34

• Report the failure to Control
• Before allowing a train to pass, make sure that the previous train has passed beyond the overlap of the next stop signal
• Carefully watch the track circuit indications concerned as each train passes over it
• Keep signals to danger or close the route to protect the trains as they pass over it
• Keep points in the correct position for each train passing over it using individual points controls
• Not rely on the track circuit until a train has correctly operated it