Recent content by Trothy

4 of those boxes are double manned, plus the associated relief. So had it been resignalled in 2003 as planned, the costs savings over the last 23 years wouldn't exactly be insignificant.

It wasn't really meant to be extended, the original plan for the scheme was for it to replace all 5 stockport boxes, but at the last minute it was discovered the Ansaldo equipment wasn't up to the job. It was quite the embarrassment at the time and I feel it's the reason replacing those boxes...

The train in question had points in front and behind that were showing out of correspondence, so they'd have to be secured before any move could be made. Fortunately the train had stopped close to a staff access, so controlled evacuation was considered the best option.

Not to mention the staff in York would need a competency to work the panel in question, and regular refreshing on said panels. When it was proposed as an advantage of the ROC scheme, it was quickly highlighted as completely unworkable.

I can categorically confirm there are no backup panels for Manchester ROC in York ROC!

Both 2F23 and 1D79 ran after this incident happened. I'm assuming the decision was made after that not to run trains to destinations they wouldn't be able to return from.

At the point I signed off duty, the Up Chat Moss was blocked by the rear of the train on approach to Salford Crescent, but the Down Chat Moss was unaffected. There is the ability to run bi-di on the Down Chat Moss between Eccles and Ordsall Lane Junction, but it's not that simple to arrange.

Yup, that was the Manchester - Leicester one, except weekend diversion via New Mills so no Stockport stop to jump off at.

Manchester to Leicester was the furthest I ever heard of. Also Manchester to Cardiff, but not really an over carry that one, more someone misunderstanding the job of customer care assistant (first day), and thinking you travelled with the person to their destination before helping them off...

Depends on your definition of modern but Trafford Park re-signalling in 2021, which was a total re-signalling not a relock or recontrol, has multiple automatic signals with no TPWS provided.

Its worth noting that even in locations with SPAD alarms, that if the automatic signal sections consisted if only a single Track Circuit/Axle Counter section (and for auto sections they often do), they wouldn't trigger for the second train, as the section ahead is occupied already (by the first...

An early morning ECS from Manchester Piccadilly to Hadfield was converted to a passenger service when Manchester ROC opened to provide an early morning service from Manchester Picc to Ashburys.

At my location, resident jobs are usually "offered" to relief staff via email and if there are no takers then they are advertised. If a relief does accept the job then their relief position is advertised instead. I think it's usually based on seniority if more than one relief express an interest.

Of course that changed very recently as I found out when looking to visit one the US national parks in January. The most popular parks now charge a $100 fee for non us residents on top of the standard admission price meaning a car of four non US residents visiting Yosemite say, have to pay $400...

I've had at least 18 months back pay from a regrade at one point so it is possible and does happen.