Miniature Warning Light Level Crossings

[MOONY]

Hi,

I understand that a new type of level crossing has been introduced - "Overlay Miniature Stop Light" crossings. Could someone explain the operational/technical difference between these and the existing Miniature Warning Light crossings [designated "R/G in the Sectional Appendix as far as I remember] and the significance of the term "Overlay" please?
Many thanks in advance,

Moony

 

[pdeaves]

'Overlay' is not connected at all to the signalling system. The way it detects trains is independent of the track circuits and other gubbins, thus it is cheaper to install and hopefully easier to maintain. From the users' point of view, it looks exactly like any other miniature stop light crossing.

 

[MOONY]

'Overlay' is not connected at all to the signalling system. The way it detects trains is independent of the track circuits and other gubbins, thus it is cheaper to install and hopefully easier to maintain. From the users' point of view, it looks exactly like any other miniature stop light crossing.

Many thanks for that.
Moony

 

[jopsuk]

I'd love to see a comprehensive reference guide to the crossing types, with both what those crossing the railway see and what drivers see. I know Railsigns has a section covering the latter, but all together would be useful!

 

[Bald Rick]

I'd love to see a comprehensive reference guide to the crossing types, with both what those crossing the railway see and what drivers see. I know Railsigns has a section covering the latter, but all together would be useful!

I’ve been toying with the idea of writing one, but it’s a big old task!

 

[jopsuk]

I've no doubt that it would be a big bit of work to do well!

 

[TheEdge]

I'd love to see a comprehensive reference guide to the crossing types, with both what those crossing the railway see and what drivers see. I know Railsigns has a section covering the latter, but all together would be useful!

The only types we see anything different for is AOCLs (Automatic Open Crossing Locally Monitored) where we have a driver's white light indicator to look for. And I suppose the few and far between driver operated manual crossings. Other than that a crossing is a crossing from the cab.

 

[Bald Rick]

The only types we see anything different for is AOCLs (Automatic Open Crossing Locally Monitored) where we have a driver's white light indicator to look for. And I suppose the few and far between driver operated manual crossings. Other than that a crossing is a crossing from the cab.

Are there any AOCLs left? I thought they had all been converted to AOCL+B. (As opposed to ABCL. Gold star for anyone who can tell the difference, and not be @MarkyT )

 

[MarkyT]

Are there any AOCLs left? I thought they had all been converted to AOCL+B. (As opposed to ABCL. Gold star for anyone who can tell the difference, and not be @MarkyT )

I'm pretty sure all AOCLs have been converted by now. Operationally there's minimal difference between the two types of locally monitored half barrier crossings. The +Bs were cost-effective technical upgrades of previous AOCLs where they were in tolerable condition, whereas ABCLs were complete new installations. They are almost identical from a rail and road user perspective, although have very minor differences in the warning sequence on re-opening to road traffic. ABCLs additionally have user telephones which were not practical to provide in the initial AOCL+B conversion programme. Unless they're closed or upgraded to a completely different type, AOCL+Bs will likely all become ABCLs eventually, when they reach a periodic full renewal date, usually at between 25 and 40 years underlying asset life, depending on condition factors.

 

[TheEdge]

Are there any AOCLs left? I thought they had all been converted to AOCL+B. (As opposed to ABCL. Gold star for anyone who can tell the difference, and not be @MarkyT )

I was trying to avoid going too in depth. Really its only the L that matters, that introduces the white light.

 

[CC 72100]

What has always interested me is that Miniature Stop Light crossings do not appear in the rule book as a definition in their own right. There is reference to crossings with red and green lights, which then appear under R/G and appear on our route maps as such (R/G-X when fitted with wrong direction controls). (Reference - TW8, Section 1 "Types of Level Crossings)

Which brings me on to my question - what should one do if asked to perform a wrong direction movement over an (O)MSL crossing? Unless it is taken that the rules for R/G crossings apply? (Reference - TW7, Section 4.2 "Level Crossings)

Given that the rules for R/G crossings in such situations are already very much err on the side of caution, if faced with the situation at an MSL, I would apply the R/G rules.

Maybe I am just overthinking this...

Views from other drivers much appreciated!

 

[TheEdge]

Maybe I am just overthinking this...

Views from other drivers much appreciated!

I'd say you are very much overthinking it. I'd definitely just apply R/G rules to a MSL crossing.

 

[LOM]

What has always interested me is that Miniature Stop Light crossings do not appear in the rule book as a definition in their own right. There is reference to crossings with red and green lights, which then appear under R/G and appear on our route maps as such (R/G-X when fitted with wrong direction controls). (Reference - TW8, Section 1 "Types of Level Crossings)

Which brings me on to my question - what should one do if asked to perform a wrong direction movement over an (O)MSL crossing? Unless it is taken that the rules for R/G crossings apply? (Reference - TW7, Section 4.2 "Level Crossings)

Given that the rules for R/G crossings in such situations are already very much err on the side of caution, if faced with the situation at an MSL, I would apply the R/G rules.

Maybe I am just overthinking this...

Views from other drivers much appreciated!

I am not a driver but do have Schedule 1 Rules competence.

MSL/MWL (the difference being which side of the line the light units are on relative to the user, as far as I am aware...?) are bunched together and referred to as R/G crossings in the Rule Book. As are the overlay crossing types - VAMOS, EBI gate 2000. They are all treated the same unless there are signalbox special instructions or sectional appendix local instructions for a particular location. It is just a terminology thing - the rule book calls the R/G crossings.

As an aside the rules relating to level crossings in Rule Book modules TS9 and TW8 have been messed up since they were split up into seperate drivers and signallers instructions and rewritten. A lot of information was mangled or lost.

 

[MarkyT]

I’ve been toying with the idea of writing one, but it’s a big old task!

This is good source material:

Level Crossing Protection

Level Crossing Protection
Compared to many other countries, the United Kingdom was slow to embrace modern methods of level crossing protection. Because the requirements for level crossings are mandated by law, new legislation was needed before alternative methods of protection could be introduced. Furthermore, level crossing development was influenced by some notable accidents that brought about revised requirements and practically halted crossing modernisation programmes while previously modernised crossings were modified. Note: The diagrams on these pages show typical examples of each type of crossing and illustrate the equipment that might be provided. Other crossings of the same type may differ in terms of their layout and signage. The diagrams do not necessarily reflect current requirements.

This is also excellent, but becoming a little dated now, and doesn't cover some of the latest types:

https://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/2158/level_crossings_guidance.pdf

What is the purpose of this guide?
1. The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has issued this guidance after extensive consultation. It provides general guidance on the safe management, operation, modification and use of Britain’s level crossings. It also provides detailed information on the level crossing order making process which is managed by ORR.

 

[Llama]

As an aside the rules relating to level crossings in Rule Book modules TS9 and TW8 have been messed up since they were split up into seperate drivers and signallers instructions and rewritten. A lot of information was mangled or lost.

Absolutely. This is a bit of a travesty considering its one of the biggest areas of risk on the railway. It's shocking how much information was lost from TW8 and I'd say the majority of new drivers are a lot less knowledgeable on all types of level crossings and the instructions for degraded working as a result.

I have a feeling it will take a tragic incident before this is redressed.

 

[CC 72100]

I am not a driver but do have Schedule 1 Rules competence.

MSL/MWL (the difference being which side of the line the light units are on relative to the user, as far as I am aware...?) are bunched together and referred to as R/G crossings in the Rule Book. As are the overlay crossing types - VAMOS, EBI gate 2000. They are all treated the same unless there are signalbox special instructions or sectional appendix local instructions for a particular location. It is just a terminology thing - the rule book calls the R/G crossings.

Thanks - we were due a VAMOS conversion on a crossing near us, but everytime I look at the WON it is postponed.

 

[CC 72100]

I'd say you are very much overthinking it. I'd definitely just apply R/G rules to a MSL crossing.

Well I did say I suspected as much