Is this TPWS grid broken?

Photo taken from P1 at Kings Norton.

Is the grid broken? Probably not. Is a supporting leg broken? Looks like it! I suspect that it still works fine (not that you necessarily queried that).

Do they have rules to deal with broken grids? Cautioning trains or something until it can be repaired?

hexagon789 said:

Do they have rules to deal with broken grids? Cautioning trains or something until it can be repaired?

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If the grid itself has failed and the signal it protects is at danger, then the previous signal will be held at danger by the interlocking in most cases.

As said above; I’d expect the grid here to be fine, it’s just minor damage to the supporting leg. It’ll do its job quite happily.

It looks like its slid back a little so technically it's been compromised, surely?

37057 said:

It looks like its slid back a little so technically it's been compromised, surely?

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It might have moved, but only a few inches, which will alter the trapping speed a tiny bit. Incidentally the grid itself only protects the cable loop inside it, and the bits in the middle may be to reduce the tripping hazard (although people are probably told not to step on it). The grid can be damaged but it will still work as long as the cable is OK.

JN114 said:

If the grid itself has failed and the signal it protects is at danger, then the previous signal will be held at danger by the interlocking in most cases.

As said above; I’d expect the grid here to be fine, it’s just minor damage to the supporting leg. It’ll do its job quite happily.

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No I appreciate the one in the photo is fine, it was just in general if one is faulty/broken.

The crate itself looks to be undamaged, its just the mounting brackets/bar that have been damaged. If the crate took damage and was not working it would revert the signal and show out on the panel. Unless it gets reported beforehand, S&T will be along for maintanence within three months unless it's been ROSEd.

Did you send this to Network Rail?

whhistle said:

Did you send this to Network Rail?

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I didn't know that there was the facility for members of the public to report such things, or that it'd be read if there was.

As already said, it looks like just the bracket is damaged, and as long as loop within the grid hasn’t been damaged or the plug coupler come loose it should be operating fine. The proving circuitry should identify any issues if that is the case.

Mordac said:

I didn't know that there was the facility for members of the public to report such things, or that it'd be read if there was.

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If you’re on Twitter send a tweet with the photo and a description of the location (as you’ve given here should be sufficient) to @networkrail and it should make its way to the right people. I believe there’s also helpline phone numbers you could call, but that’s not got the benefit of being able to include a photo. Failing anything else bring it to the attention of station staff, they should have the number for control and can report it if they haven’t already.

It may well be something that’s already been reported, and probably isn’t affecting the functionality of the TPWS, but is definitely something I’d raise to be repaired if I came across it, so certainly doesn’t hurt to be reported. It’ll be a nice little job for someone to get to replace the bracket.

Messages from the public do get to us and are looked into, so don’t worry about reporting things. Occasionally they turn out to be utter twaddle or frustratingly vague, but they’re still looked into and an extra pair of eyes can help.