Level crossing sounders along stretch of track

[K.o.R]

On the way home from Newcastle yesterday, we passed through a section of track where there were loads of the little red siren boxes you see on level crossings, just mounted on poles beside the track (and making the same sound). What would that be in aid of? There must have been at least a dozen, spaced every 5-10 seconds or so.

 

[ainsworth74]

It's a system called Train Operated Warning System (TOWS). It's used to alert trackside maintenance workers that a train is approaching particularly on twisty track where it might not be easy to have safe levels of warning on line of sight, it's powered by track circuits as the train enters the relevant section to trigger the alarms. It's supposed to be switched off when no-one is trackside but obviously can be forgotten about. It's not a universal fit but that section is part of the railway where it's used.

 

[edwin_m]

It also makes an intermittent sound when switched on but no train is approaching, so the workers know it is still operational. I haven't been to Grantham station for some time, but when I did there was quite frequently one left running on the platforms.