But as a regular TOC, being able to keep a train in service for the sake of a lick of paint seems like a heck of a bargain.
Nail
Head
It's a no-brainer really
But as a regular TOC, being able to keep a train in service for the sake of a lick of paint seems like a heck of a bargain.
Looks rather fetching.
Are we looking at the same photo?
The Framework within which GB standards apply is largely as a result of European law. RSSB has published a Strategy for Standards to define the role of Railway Group Standards in the future. The aim is to shrink the pool of Group Standards and to migrate to the use of TSIs and Euronorms (European standards).
In the new framework there is still a role for a selected number of Railway Group Standards to fulfil the following functions:
- To close an ‘open point’ in the TSI. This is where the various member states couldn’t agree on a solution for a particular issue, so the states default to their national rules.
- To address a country ‘specific case’ in the TSI. The GB loading gauge is a good example of a specific case – it’s smaller than in mainland Europe so we have to use national rules to manage it.
- Finally, for compatibility with ‘legacy’ infrastructure. You may be introducing a new train, but it still may need to operate on some 150-year old infrastructure, so some additional national rules may be needed to manage this.
Unfortunately, GMRT2131 didn’t tick any of the above boxes. The only way GB can mandate yellow front ends would be for us to lobby our European colleagues to mandate them also, by changing the TSI or its associated Euronorms.
It would be interesting to see what the stats are for railway workers who have been killed by trains in continental Europe, and see whether or not there is a correlation with yellow panels. This makes you wonder how people manage in France, Germany, Poland and elsewhere where yellow panels aren't used.
It also makes one wonder how LUL seem to manage on the surface without yellow ends. [/I]
It also makes one wonder how LUL seem to manage on the surface without yellow ends. Yellow ends are like Guards. They were fine in their time but modern methods have overtaken their original purpose.
Please don't start banging on about Absolute Block. I've stated modern methods not dinosaur methods.
Non-automatic Lines certainly do, today i've had vegetation control - in 3 separate places; signal engineers - repairing Piccadilly Line problems; track team taking possession in Barking sidings; routine track patrol guys, both east and west.I think a significant difference is that, at least on their own routes, LU do not normally have people working on the tracks during running hours. That isn't to say it never happens at all, but it isn't done in quite the same way as NR infrastructure.
Why ?
Staff are still protected and it comes with a caveat that headlights meet a higher standard.
TOWS
Lookouts
Possessions
Blue fencing <--
restricted speeds
Late notice case
Not not forgetting the high vis clothing or the Driver's requirement to blow up when sighting people within the boundary fence.
What is the rule regarding blue fencing?
most work sites now have temporary fencing erected to keep track workers the right side of a running line. Speaking with a NR supervisor last week as had him in cab to check the line and he said they (NR) do not do any work on running lines now. seems it's only contractors like QTS etc that still work lineside when the lines are open.
it doesnt matter even if lines are closed - men and women are working close to open running lines...regardless of how much barrier is between them..there will always someone who strays...if a yellow end saves one person a year from death then its worth keeping...you may not hear a train coming but a good lookout will see it before he/she hears it - thats why the yellow end is important!!
it doesnt matter even if lines are closed - men and women are working close to open running lines...regardless of how much barrier is between them..there will always someone who strays...if a yellow end saves one person a year from death then its worth keeping...you may not hear a train coming but a good lookout will see it before he/she hears it - thats why the yellow end is important!!
Surely the yellow isn't necessary because of the high intensity headlights that modern trains have?
most work sites now have temporary fencing erected to keep track workers the right side of a running line. Speaking with a NR supervisor last week as had him in cab to check the line and he said they (NR) do not do any work on running lines now. seems it's only contractors like QTS etc that still work lineside when the lines are open.
Surely the yellow isn't necessary because of the high intensity headlights that modern trains have?
Surely the yellow isn't necessary because of the high intensity headlights that modern trains have?
Quite right you can always employ replacement P-Way staff, it is not as if we are particularly clever or skilled. :roll:
Have you seen a post from anyone who works on the line who is saying, yes, get rid of them?
Thanks, that says it all.
You've been told headlights aren't the answer already though.
And yes, I've seen enough of the newer stock with higher intensity headlights to form my opinion from working trackside.
What's your first hand experience?
It's worth seeing what happens without yellow panels before judgment is passed.