No rear tail lamps

[GB]

I am aware what the SPT is used for, merely stating that there (appears) no rule against a member of public using one (if in a public accesable area) to report possible emergencies, and lets remember that drivers are not the sole use of such SPTs.

Unless things have changed, if a track circuit drops after the passage of a train there is no requirement (at least on TCB lines) for the offending train to be stopped and examined unless more than one circuit has dropped.

 

[Old Timer]

I am aware what the SPT is used for, merely stating that there (appears) no rule against a member of public using one (if in a public accesable area) to report possible emergencies, and lets remember that drivers are not the sole use of such SPTs..

MY comment wasn't directed at you. I know you know.

My purpose was to educate those who did not know.

The primary intent of the SPT is as I stated, everything else is a benefit that flows from that.

Unless things have changed, if a track circuit drops after the passage of a train there is no requirement (at least on TCB lines) for the offending train to be stopped and examined unless more than one circuit has dropped.

General Signalling Regulations Clause 20.6

20.6.1
You must carry out this general signalling regulation if a track
circuit:
• fails to clear after the passage of a train, or
• shows occupied for some other reason.
20.6.2
You must never assume that a track circuit has failed until you
have carried out an examination of the affected line and you are
sure it is a failure.

 

[daza7789]

20.6.1
You must carry out this general signalling regulation if a track
circuit:
• fails to clear after the passage of a train, or
• shows occupied for some other reason.
20.6.2
You must never assume that a track circuit has failed until you
have carried out an examination of the affected line and you are
sure it is a failure.

Correct, however under normal circumstances on a TCB line the way that a you are assured it is a failure is by asking the 1st train on the affected line to carry out the examination, or if the 1st train is on an adjacent line by advising the driver to proceed at caution and report as soon as possible if anything appears to be wrong. I have never known in my area a train to be stopped and asked to ensure he is compleate for a track circiut showing occupied after the passage of the train, this is established by examining the line.

Daz

 

[TDK]

I wouldn't have gone trackside, even an idiot (including me) can see why the area is red zone prohibited, and I am not (quite) stupid enough to trespass on the track anyway. You can see the number from outside. One of the numbers is a normal phone number that would work from any mobile or landline.

I suppose the call would have gone something like:
This is XXX YYY at Place Road West. A gate giving access to the track at this location is open and had been for an indeterminate time.

How well would I have done? Place Road West is on the board and I think uniquely identifies the location.

If not calling the signaller what? 999 because life is in danger? Would you ask for the police? How well set up are home office forces for railway incidents.

I know they took the report fairly seriosuly because whne I went home a few hours later it was firmly padlocked shut.

Dolive I can see your point and your intensions are the correct ones, however, railworkers are trrained in communications, the signaller would most likely as you to spell your location out using the phonetic alphabet. In this instance I feel that if you had called the signaller it would have been an assistance more than a hinder but under other cercumstances like a train with nolights would you be abale toname the line? Up or Down direction and the mileage? Most generalpublic would not be able to. The best thing in any circumstance like this is to find someone to assist. If I reported every train without headlights on it would cause delays so I will by what ever means signal to the driver and I have not yet had one that has not switched them on.

 

[AlexS]

You get far too much paranoia off people regarding using what is essentially a telephone.

You can say that 'it might cause delays' if someone 'inexperienced' reports something, but equally does not safety come first? It might cause an inconvenience if it is wrong, but equally it could stop a serious incident. Railworkers may be trained in safety critical communications beween themselves but it doesn't mean they become dribbling idiots when confronted by a non railway worker reporting an emergency :P

Just one example that comes to mind is from another forum, where someone mentioned a particular railtour had passed them with the wheelsets on the rearmost bogie not turning round. Someone suggested to them that maybe they could use an SPT to report it to the signaller, but they were shot down in flames by someone erstwhile who insisted they were for trained staff only, which is obviously rubbish.

If I had a train pass me with the handbrake on a wagon or something then I would take every action necessary to stop it, up to and including walking a short distance off the end of the platform to use an SPT.

 

[Hydro]

If it's in a safe place to do so, fill your boots using an SPT if necessary to do so. Just watch for any that are notified as Restricted Clearance as these are close to a running line and you stand a good chance of being clipped by a passing train if using one. These SPTs are really for use by drivers using their line as a safe place to call from as their train is blocking said line

 

[Old Timer]

The easiest solution would be to phone the BT Police control room on 0800 40 50 40, which is what I would do if I did not know the signalling control area and there was no immediately accessible SPT.

They will speak to Network Rail Control who in turn can make an area broadcast.

 

[Dolive22]

As it happens at that bridge I would be able to identify the line and track, as the great big orange board helpfully has a diagram as well as ELR, distance and unique identifier of the location, not to mention the station 100 meters down the line. Even without the board, I would have a pretty good idea as I could check my recollection against which trains call at which through platforms at my local station. But I take your point TDK. I would be quite uncertain as to whether to call the signaller, even if I had an exact location.

Incidentally I noticed the lights on a train this morning but decided they were probably right. The train was on the Down Fast. But I don't think I would report if I thought a train had defective headlights. I asked a few weeks ago about whether a particular arrangement of lights meant a fault and it turned out I was wrong, so I would assume it was meant to be like that unless there were definately no lights on.

The number for BTP OT gives is the one I used at the time, and I didn't get the impression they would get right on to Network Rail, but I suppose they would act quite a bit faster with a defective train, especially as by the time I rang BTP there were probably not many people about who might go lineside. Nevertheless I have programmed it in to my phone in case I need it.

 

[fsmr]

The easiest solution would be to phone the BT Police control room on 0800 40 50 40, which is what I would do if I did not know the signalling control area and there was no immediately accessible SPT.

They will speak to Network Rail Control who in turn can make an area broadcast.

or NWR on 01332 331422

have both numbers in my mobile

 

[Dolive22]

Is that NWR Operations control?

 

[Trog]

If you see a train running with a red light at the front, looking hard at the front of the train while making pointing gestures at my head and tail has got the message across to drivers for me in the past. If you see the light change job done, if not you can still phone in and report it.

 

[driver9000]

Incidentally I noticed the lights on a train this morning but decided they were probably right. The train was on the Down Fast. But I don't think I would report if I thought a train had defective headlights. I asked a few weeks ago about whether a particular arrangement of lights meant a fault and it turned out I was wrong, so I would assume it was meant to be like that unless there were definately no lights on.

If a train is on a running line it must have a headlight on, if the light is out then it needs reporting immediately even if the train still has marker lights illuminated.