Week 7 - Examination of the Line and TCSOWC

Question 1

A line needs to be examined, who can examine the line? (TS1 Reg 20.1)

Answer 1

• You, the signaller, can see the line is safe for trains to pass
• A competent person
• The driver of a train passing over the affected line

Question 2

When can you not use a train to examine the line? (TS1 Reg 20.1) (M3 Reg 7.2)

Answer 2

• Broken, distorted or damaged rails
• Broken fishplates
• Underline bridge has been struck by a vehicle (unless shown otherwise in the SBSI’s)
• Damage to a bridge not caused by a vehicle
• Subsidence
• Suspected damage to any other structure above or below the railway
• Line reported to be affected by damage to earthworks or structures

Question 3

When can you not allow a train with a failed headlamp to examine the line? (TS1 Reg 20.2)

Answer 3

• During darkness
• During poor visibility
• If there is a tunnel in the affected section

> > > unless a portable headlight is fitted to the front of the train

Question 4

When a train is examining the line, when can you not run trains on adjacent lines? (TS1 Reg 20.2)

Answer 4

When the affected portion of line being examined is in a tunnel

Question 5

When a train is examining the line what must you do with trains running on unaffected adjacent lines? (TS1 Reg 20.2)

Answer 5

Stop each train and:

• Tell the driver what is happening
• Tell the driver the locations between which the adjacent line is affected
• Instruct the driver to pass the affected portion of line at caution
• Tell the driver to report back as soon as possible if anything is seen to be wrong

Question 6

Before a train is used to examine the line what must you ensure? (TS1 Reg 20.2)

Answer 6

• Make sure that the last train to enter the affected section has passed beyond the stop signal at the end of the affected portion of line, complete with tail lamp

Question 7

Before allowing a train to examine the line, what must you do with the driver? (TS1 Reg 20.3)

Answer 7

• Tell the driver what is happening
• Reach a clear understanding of where the line must be examined
• Instruct the driver, when the signal is cleared or permission is given to pass the signal at danger, to proceed at caution over the affected portion of line
• Instruct the driver to report the state of the line at an agreed location beyond the affected portion of the line

Question 8

When do you give a driver examining the line specific speed limits and what are these speed limits? (TS1 Reg 20.3) (TS1 Reg 17.2.2)

Answer 8

• Line is to be examined due to a reported track defect (20mph)
• Affected portion of line is in a tunnel (10mph)
• Line is to be examined following an overline or underline bridge strike (5mph)

Question 9

You can resume normal working after a train examining the line has reported the line to be clear and safe for the passage of trains, except when? (TS1 Reg 20.5) (TS1 Reg 17.2.2)

Answer 9

When the line has been examined following a report of:

• A track defect
• An overline bridge strike

Question 10

How would you signal subsequent trains when a driver reports the line to be safe and clear for the passage of trains after a report of a track defect or an overline bridge strike? How long would you continue to do this? (TS1 Reg 20.5) (TS1 Reg 17.2.2)

Answer 10

• Proceed at caution over the affected portion of line at a speed not exceeding 20mph
• You must continue to do this until a competent engineer has confirmed that the affected portion of the line is safe for normal operation

Question 11

What question must you ask the driver before they examine the line where a track circuit is showing occupied when clear? (TS1 Reg 20.6)

Answer 11

Is the line clear as far as can be seen?

Question 12

When a track circuit is showing occupied when clear, what do we do with trains on adjacent lines? (TS1 Reg 20.6)

Answer 12

• Stop trains on adjacent lines, with an urgent call if necessary (treat it as an obstruction of the line until you are sure it is not obstructed)
• First train over adjacent line must be instructed to proceed at caution when passing the affected portion of line and to report as soon as possible if anything is wrong

Question 13

A track circuit fails to clear after the passage of a train or shows occupied for some other reason. What are your actions when the first train is to pass over the affected line? (TS1 Reg 20)

Answer 13

• Ask the driver “is the line clear as far as can be seen?”
• Tell the driver what has happened
• Tell the driver which portion of the line is to be examined
• Tell the driver to pass the signal at danger and to proceed at caution over the affected portion of line
• Tell the driver to report back at the agreed point