Hi been a trainee driver for two weeks, bit confused about junction indicators i get that the feathers light up the indicated route to take. But in my signal book it states (Where the straight route is not the highest-speed route the junction indicator will apply to the lower-speed route) can someone explain this in layman terms i might be having a duh moment but not quite getting it
Thanks Guys
This example might help explain it. The signal on the end of the platform at Peckham Rye on the down South London can show a main aspect only, or a main aspect plus route indicator position 4.
The line through the platform is on a right hand curve which continues beyond the station over Peckham Rye Jct onto the up Atlantic towards Denmark Hill. You would expect this to be signalled with main aspect only as (even though it's on a curve) this is the route that logically appears to continue straight ahead, but to continue onto the up Atlantic you actually need route indicator position 4.
However, there is also another route (down Portsmouth) that diverges to the left at Peckham Rye Jct towards East Dulwich which, even though it logically appears to be a diverging route, is signalled with main aspect only.
Why is there a route indicator for the 'straight ahead' route? Because the line speed over the junction 'straight ahead' towards Denmark Hill is 20mph, whereas linespeed for the diverging route to East Dulwich is 35mph.
So you have:
1. 'straight ahead' towards Denmark Hill - main aspect + route indicator position 4 - 20mph
2. 'diverging left' towards East Dulwich - main aspect only - 35mph
The 'straight ahead' route has a lower speed and is therefore signalled with a route indicator, which is what your quote from the Rule Book is telling you.
I hope that makes sense. Good luck with the rest of your Rules. It won't necessarily become any less confusing. We've all been there: trying to understand what on earth the Rule Book is trying to say. But never be afraid to ask a question either of your instructor, or on here if you prefer the anonymity. There's no such thing as a stupid question when you're learning Rules.