Ship(Cab) to Shore Radio

GrimShady · 9 Dec 2019

How long has there been Cab to Shore radio in British trains?

I assume GSM-R installations are the modern equivalent?

What were the first trains to have it?

Was it regional dependant or class?

RailUK Forums

GusB · 9 Dec 2019

According to Wikipedia (make up your own mind as to the accuracy), Cab Secure Radio was introduced in the Glasgow area in 1986, then rolled out to other areas.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cab_Secure_Radio

There was also the National Radio Network. I'm not an expert on these matters by any means, but there was an interesting Rail Engineer article a while back.

https://www.railengineer.co.uk/2016/02/29/farewell-to-the-nrn/

The National Radio Network, originated by British Rail, has finally been switched off. It served the railway well for over 40 years and provided a significant contribution to improving communication between people in many forms during its lifetime. It is therefore appropriate to record the NRN history and to set down some of the achievements that resulted during its lifetime.

From a personal perspective, I had the task of creating the network (then called the National Radio Plan – NRP) in 1973 and built up the radio team at BR Headquarters that was to design and implement the technology. There were many political, administrative and technical hurdles along the way and it took a persistent and concerted effort for these to be overcome. The NRN had a number of engineering changes during its life and also a significant change of use.

GrimShady · 13 Dec 2019

Thanks Gus.

yorkie · 13 Dec 2019

GusB said:
According to Wikipedia ...

Just to be clear, Wikipedia isn't a primary source. Wikipedia requires it's authors to state their sources and these should be referenced here.

Any article that isn't properly referenced is non-compliant; Wikipedia aren't endorsing or saying anything in such articles. I would be finding an alternative source.

edwin_m · 13 Dec 2019

The Midland Main Line electrification, which started running in around 1983, was the first Driver Only Operation route. DOO for passenger trains requires a cab-secure radio system, which was different from NRN with extra features such as locating the train in the signaling and allowing the signaler to operate the on-board PA in the event the driver was incapacitated. I'd say this was the first significant application for cab radio in the UK.

O L Leigh · 13 Dec 2019

I seem to recall that there was still at least one Cl317 floating around with the remains of what I presume was the “as built” radio system still in the cab when I was a newbie back in 2005. It was very different from the CSR sets that we were using at that time with, I think, individual buttons to call each of the boxes along the former BedPan route.

jumble · 13 Dec 2019

edwin_m said:
The Midland Main Line electrification, which started running in around 1983, was the first Driver Only Operation route. DOO for passenger trains requires a cab-secure radio system, which was different from NRN with extra features such as locating the train in the signaling and allowing the signaler to operate the on-board PA in the event the driver was incapacitated. I'd say this was the first significant application for cab radio in the UK.

The other reason it was required for DOO was that the regulations at the time forbade the driver to leave the train with passengers on board if there was no guard
therefore he could not go to a signal post telephone to call the signaller if stuck a a red
This was followed closely by the bottom end of the EastCoast route and coincided with electrification
I was working on this project for the company that installed/maintained the radio kit.
The kit was resold from Siemens as I recall but it was certainly German

Ship(Cab) to Shore Radio

GrimShady

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