What are EO and **** on Open Train Times?

TransportHub · 25 Nov 2016

I have been using Open Train Times and have noticed the line blocks/possessions at night.
There are
*LB*
*T3*
*EO*
****
The LB and T3 are straight forward but what are the EO and ****?

RailUK Forums

Dhassell · 25 Nov 2016

*LB* : Line Block
-T3-: Engineering Possession

I believe **** is a train but its lost its headcode somewhere along the route

Nippy · 25 Nov 2016

In simplistic terms, **** is where a track circuit has become occupied and the Train Describer doesn't know what's there. You won't always get **** in the TD though. It can also be because a train has lost its head code as Dhassel says above.

I have never seen *EO* but would hazard a guess that it is Engineers Occupation.

Bald Rick · 25 Nov 2016

EO is sometimes used to denote Emergency Outage, which means that while the line is open, the power is off.

**** is most often when a track circuit or axle counter section thinks it is occupied, but with no train described in section. Often during a failure.

alxndr · 25 Nov 2016

On a related note, can anyone offer any insight into "*WFT"? My best guess is Wheels Free Track, but seemed a bit of an odd time of day and location for someone to need wheels free so I might be way off the mark.

Sunset route · 25 Nov 2016

Nippy said:
In simplistic terms, **** is where a track circuit has become occupied and the Train Describer doesn't know what's there. You won't always get **** in the TD though. It can also be because a train has lost its head code as Dhassel says above.

I have never seen *EO* but would hazard a guess that it is Engineers Occupation.

Correct but in our area our train describers will display a "non discript alarm" NDA as *X** instead of ****

We will often use an -EO- or *EO* for T3 when we have multiple T3s back to back and -T3- and or *T3* have already been used. Some of my colleagues that came from London Bridge ASC still use TIII for T3. Basically as there are no set rules and there will as many variations to what's put into the TD berths as there are ROCs, SSCs, IECCs, ASCs, PSBs and Signalboxes. Even though it's not a rulebook or local requirement our shift managers like us putting the limits of the various possessions in our TD berths so they get better over view of what work is taking place within our area of control.

TheEdge · 25 Nov 2016

H2O- was spotted as a block at Cowley Bridge a few days ago. :lol:

GB · 25 Nov 2016

BRGE BUMP was used the other day for a bridge strike at Needham Market.

You will often see for example IT23 which refers to item 23 in the weekly operating notice. Obviously other numbers will apply.

oversteer · 25 Nov 2016

I'm surprised there isn't a standardised list of 'reasons'.

It would seem sensible to have an approved list rather than describing it in a random way which may be misunderstood..?

GB · 25 Nov 2016

oversteer said:
I'm surprised there isn't a standardised list of 'reasons'.

It would seem sensible to have an approved list rather than describing it in a random way which may be misunderstood..?

Seen VERB OTEN used a few times. Took a while to figure out as I dont speakk german

Verboten - forbidden, especially by an authority.

trainmania100 · 25 Nov 2016

Does anyone know why some signals show as *X** ?
Even when a train is running through them sometimes they shown that then suddenly its back to normal again

AndyPJG · 25 Nov 2016

trainmania100 said:
Does anyone know why some signals show as *X** ?
Even when a train is running through them sometimes they shown that then suddenly its back to normal again

I believe it was a Southern (Railway) thing, "*x**"rather than "****" for an invalid TD (Train Description) stepping.

trainmania100 · 25 Nov 2016

AndyPJG said:
I believe it was a Southern (Railway) thing, "*x**"rather than "****" for an invalid TD (Train Description) stepping.

ok thanks

09065 · 25 Nov 2016

oversteer said:
I'm surprised there isn't a standardised list of 'reasons'.

It would seem sensible to have an approved list rather than describing it in a random way which may be misunderstood..?

Thing is that before Opentraintimes only rail staff with access used it.

Also, some signallers use the berths as personal reminders. If a train is due to recess in a loop a time might appear in the berth in rear...

Nippy · 25 Nov 2016

alxndr said:
On a related note, can anyone offer any insight into "*WFT"? My best guess is Wheels Free Track, but seemed a bit of an odd time of day and location for someone to need wheels free so I might be way off the mark.

On our area, we use it to denote a line is Waiting First Train after a T3.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

oversteer said:
I'm surprised there isn't a standardised list of 'reasons'.

It would seem sensible to have an approved list rather than describing it in a random way which may be misunderstood..?

It's only there as a signallers aid. No other reason for it, so, so long as they know what it's for then that's fine.

Freightmaster · 25 Nov 2016

TheEdge said:
H2O- was spotted as a block at Cowley Bridge a few days ago.

I've also seen [STUK] when a train has failed!

Nippy said:
On our area, we use (WFT) to denote a line is Waiting First Train after a T3.

That reminds me - in the Preston PSB area, I have often seen [1TRN] indications,
which looks like they may also be referring to "1st TRaiN" like WFT?

MARK

alxndr · 25 Nov 2016

Nippy said:
On our area, we use it to denote a line is Waiting First Train after a T3.

Ah, that makes much more sense, I was way off the mark! Suspect that's probably it, as it was a TVSC controlled area I was looking at, albeit Didcot desk.

wensley · 25 Nov 2016

I had a chuckle last night at work, Tyneside had one Bay Platform showing 'NAKA' for a failed unit and the Thunderbird in Provincial Sdgs was shown as 'FAB*'.

Crossover · 25 Nov 2016

09065 said:
Thing is that before Opentraintimes only rail staff with access used it.

Also, some signallers use the berths as personal reminders. If a train is due to recess in a loop a time might appear in the berth in rear...

I was watching part of the Glasgow area a few weeks ago and Wemyss Bay Pl 2 had the berth labelled as "USE1"

Nippy · 25 Nov 2016

alxndr said:
Ah, that makes much more sense, I was way off the mark! Suspect that's probably it, as it was a TVSC controlled area I was looking at, albeit Didcot desk.

Yes then, they do that on the Didcot desk.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Freightmaster said:
I've also seen [STUK] when a train has failed!

That reminds me - in the Preston PSB area, I have often seen [1TRN] indications,
which looks like they may also be referring to "1st TRaiN" like WFT?

MARK

Could be or it depends where it is. I often put '1-IN' or '2-IN' at Acton when I've put an engine or two in the headshunt at the East end of the yard.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

09065 said:
Thing is that before Opentraintimes only rail staff with access used it.

Also, some signallers use the berths as personal reminders. If a train is due to recess in a loop a time might appear in the berth in rear...

Indeed, I also do that as well!

CyrusWuff · 26 Nov 2016

It's been known for "NFG." to appear on my patch on occasion, and it depends who's on as to whether units that sit around for a few hours have the headcode or time of departure for their next working put in, while spare units tend to appear as "SPAR", "SPRE" or "xCAR" as a reminder.

gimmea50anyday · 26 Nov 2016

wensley said:
I had a chuckle last night at work, Tyneside had one Bay Platform showing 'NAKA' for a failed unit and the Thunderbird in Provincial Sdgs was shown as 'FAB*'.

Like this? Wondered what it was on P9!

LAX54 · 26 Nov 2016

oversteer said:
I'm surprised there isn't a standardised list of 'reasons'.

It would seem sensible to have an approved list rather than describing it in a random way which may be misunderstood..?

Rail Staff would know what the entry would means on the TD's, there is no reason that any MOP would need to know, it is purely for internal use.

we also use 'STOP' / 'POTS' / S--T / SANT / -LB- / OOPS / ........

83G/84D · 26 Nov 2016

Lots of these and other codes are used in TOPS as well, SHNT, AXAM, VSOE, RHTT, IPAX, 4SCO, KYBX, BROK, TBRD are some used recently

IanXC · 26 Nov 2016

I'll raise you *DMIC*

Interesting how much regional variation there is!

83G/84D · 26 Nov 2016

IanXC said:
I'll raise you *DMIC*

Interesting how much regional variation there is!

I give you CMAX, FLIM, THDR, CMNR, MDDR!

Sunset route · 26 Nov 2016

oversteer said:
I'm surprised there isn't a standardised list of 'reasons'.

It would seem sensible to have an approved list rather than describing it in a random way which may be misunderstood..?

There is no reason to, as i put a label to remind myself of something thats different is happening to the norm so as well as using magnetic labels on the control desk I will use the train describer berths. If i need to do a panel handover with such labels in the berths that my colleague doesn't understand then that will also be included in the panel handover, if i see something written when i takeover then i would ask at handover.

83G/84D · 26 Nov 2016

Slightly off topic but the two letter TRUST delay code for ill passengers makes me laugh. No I am not saying what it is!

Nippy · 26 Nov 2016

I will. It's VD.

D1009 · 26 Nov 2016

Sunset route said:
There is no reason to, as i put a label to remind myself of something thats different is happening to the norm so as well as using magnetic labels on the control desk I will use the train describer berths. If i need to do a panel handover with such labels in the berths that my colleague doesn't understand then that will also be included in the panel handover, if i see something written when i takeover then i would ask at handover.

I think it's brilliant that a bit of the hitherto secret world of the signallers is available to anyone going on line who is interested.

What are *EO* and **** on Open Train Times?

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What are EO and **** on Open Train Times?