Use of Green Flags

[bleeder4]

Guards on railtours use them quite often. Just go to your local station next time one stops there and you might see one in use.

 

[winks]

As a regular traveller through Haywards Heath (and seated on the platform side of carriage one), I haven't seen a green flag used by platform staff (though they usually chat to the driver)

You haven’t been paying attention then. The front dispatcher will use the flag outside the drivers window.

This is why I asked the question I found it intriguing given that he was stood right next to the driver.

 

[TurboMan]

This is why I asked the question I found it intriguing given that he was stood right next to the driver.

That's a Southern thing: the dispatcher has to show the bat and flag to the driver through the cab window, whereas (as posted upthread) GWR dispatchers at Slough can do so by making sure they're visible in the DOO monitors in the cab.

 

[GWVillager]

Thinking back to the 1980's at Settle station. The train (loco hauled) was too short for the platform, so drew up slowly under hand signals from the station man/woman. Hand outstretched and revolving to move up, both hands above heads to stop. Guard remained in his van. Once all station work was done, the guard blew his whistle, then showed a green flag or green bardic to give 'right away'
Is that still a current procedure?

Not on the mainline - at least that I know of - stop markers appear to have solved that problem. It’s still regularly used on heritage railways, of course, though.

 

[CloudyManday]

We use green flags (or a green torch) at GLC for 318 and 320 trains. Absolutely my favourite dispatch type. (other trains are bat and whistle or whistle and hand signal to the conductor)

 

[Efini92]

Green flags are only ever used to enable drivers to pass over a level crossing in handsignalling. Yellow flags are used in all other circumstances.

To quote from the RSSB's "Signals, Handsignals, Indicators and Signs":

• A red flag during daylight or a red light during darkness or poor visibility means ‘STOP’.
• A yellow flag during daylight or a yellow light during darkness or poor visibility is used when giving authority to pass a signal at danger.
• A green flag during daylight or a green light during darkness or poor visibility is used to give authority to pass over a level crossing.

But then you read the sectional appendix and it can become confusing.
A green hand signal at a level crossing with a non block signal gives the driver authority to pass the signal at danger and proceed over the level crossing.

 

[Leyland155]

Guards on railtours use them quite often. Just go to your local station next time one stops there and you might see one in use.

They do, and also used with permission from Control during a complete bell buzzer failure on other stock. I had such an event on a 156 all the way from Stockport to Chester, it was quite fun to dispatch I have to admit, obviously got to be extra alert though!

 

[Signal Head]

Green flags were used by a signalman to indicate to a driver that he could proceed after having been stopped by a red flag at a signal box for some reason..

From memory: Regulation 5 - Warning Acceptance (line clear to Home Signal of next box but overlap obstructed). Only where authorised and where a fixed subsidiary signal is not provided for the purpose.

I have a feeling it has been used in lieu of a Calling-on subsidiary as well somewhere.

 

[Gloster]

From memory: Regulation 5 - Warning Acceptance (line clear to Home Signal of next box but overlap obstructed). Only where authorised and where a fixed subsidiary signal is not provided for the purpose.

I have a feeling it has been used in lieu of a Calling-on subsidiary as well somewhere.

Well, according to the regulations a green flag held steadily out of the box indicated that the train had been accepted under the Warning Arrangement. The flag was taken in once the driver had acknowledged it by sounding the horn.

However, I was referring to occasions when the signalman wanted to stop the train outside the box in order to speak to the driver. Slow the train by signals and then hold a red flag steadily to indicate that the driver should stop by the signalman. Once you have finished, you show the green flag to the driver to indicate that he can proceed. Effectively, the red flag remains in force until cancelled by the green.

Whether this was exactly by the rules, I cannot remember. However, I did it in front of a notoriously strict District Inspector and heard not a word.