Week 7 - Bridge Strikes

Question 1

What does BSE stand for?

Answer 1

Bridge Strike Examiner

Question 2

How do you handle a late reported bridge strike? (TS1 Reg 17.2.3)

Answer 2

Until you have received instructions from Control you must treat the bridge strike as if it had just happened (and follow the appropriate regulations and/or SBSI’s)

Question 3

What must you tell the driver of the examining train after an overline bridge strike? (TS1 Reg 17.2.2)

Answer 3

• What has happened
• Exact location of the bridge
• Stop short of the bridge before passing under
• Check for any obvious damage including debris on the line
• If there is no obvious damage / debris, then examine the line under the bridge, passing under the bridge at a speed not exceeding 5mph (10km/h)
• To report back to you at an agreed location

Question 4

If the examining train reports that the line appears safe for the passage of trains after an overline bridge strike, how do you signal subsequent trains? How long would you do this for? (TS1 Reg 17.2.2)

Answer 4

Stop each subsequent train and tell the driver:

• What has happened
• Exact location of the bridge
• To pass under the bridge at a speed not exceeding 20mph

Continue to do this until the bridge has been examined by a BSN or BSE

Question 5

If an underline bridge is classified as ‘Red’ or has no specific instructions in the SBSI, how do we deal with trains after a report of a bridge strike? (TS1 Reg 17.2.1)

Answer 5

• Immediately stop trains passing over the bridge concerned

- No train may pass over it until it has been examined by a BSN or BSE

Question 6

If an underline bridge is classified as ‘Amber’ how do we deal with the first train and subsequent trains after a report of a bridge strike? (TS1 Reg 17.2.1)

Answer 6

First train on each line must examine the line. Tell the driver:

• What has happened
• Exact location of the bridge
• Examine the line over the bridge, at a speed not exceeding 5mph (10km/h)
• Check for debris and track alignment
• To report back at an agreed location

Subsequent trains must be advised of what has happened and instructed to pass over the bridge at a speed at a speed not exceeding 20mph. This must continue until the bridge has been examined by a BSN or BSE.

Question 7

If an underline bridge is classified as ‘Double Amber’ how do we deal with the first train and subsequent trains after a report of a bridge strike? (TS1 Reg 17.2.1)

Answer 7

First train on each line must examine the line. Tell the driver:

• What has happened
• Exact location of the bridge
• Examine the line over the bridge, at a speed not exceeding 5mph (10km/h)
• Check for debris and track alignment
• To report back at an agreed location

Subsequent trains can be signalled at the normal permissible speed unless the adjacent line is being examined, in which case the driver must be advised of what has happened and instructed to pass over the bridge at a speed at a speed not exceeding 20mph. This must continue until the bridge has been examined by a BSN or BSE.

Question 8

If an underline bridge is classified as ‘Green’ how do we deal with the first train and subsequent trains after a report of a bridge strike? (TS1 Reg 17.2.1)

Answer 8

• Signal trains normally

- Still need to advise Control and arrange for a BSE or BSN to attend