We were informed that it is part of the self testing. We get loads that 'blink' (including banners) and it got reported and that was the information that was sent out. You certainly stick the brakes in the first time you see it happen.
That's my understanding too. I can't think that it's anything to do with the signalman's actions - you couldn't pull the route and reset it quickly enough to avoid it visibly returning to danger (and I've seen it happen on auto signals too).
Is this from the bay platforms? We have at least one dead-end platform with additional trainstop loops about 80m back from the signal, but that's to ensure that a short train (so having more room to get a run up!) is stopped before the conflict point which isn't far beyond the signal, rather than about preventing a SPAD in the first place.
I was really referring to LU mechanical trainstops but Tomnick answers the question.
True, although I’m aware of a location where the trainstop is located a big enough distance before the associated signal that it is possible for the train to be tripped before the signal is passed. I know of one such incident at this location that was “downgraded” to a staff error from what was initially reported as a SPAD!
For completeness, repeaters that are co-located with ordinary stop signals are blank if the stop signal is displaying a danger aspect; this is to avoid displaying conflicting meanings. Repeaters can also apply to multiple signals, and don’t always apply to the following signal, the so might be showing a yellow but the next running signal after the repeater is green.
Correct, I know that, which is why I asked "are these things red railway signals that can actually be passed at danger without a calling on aspect?" A banner repeater horizontal says the next signal (that you can't yet see) is not showing clear, avoiding the conflict of it not being an actual signal yet needing to show that a red might be coming up (which cannot be passed.)
If this is on a video then it may be due to the LEDs (some types of which actually flash on and off too fast to see) interacting with the frame rate of the camera.
No, they display yellow or green aspects (or are blank when co-located with a stop signal displaying a danger aspect).
All right. Would you accept this? When first introduced they were mechanical and black and white, and showed clear (diagonal) or caution (horizontal) to avoid the conflict of it not being an actual signal, yet needing to show that a red might be coming up. The principle is still that you can't have a simple red signal that is not a mandatory stop!
My thoughts are really that not only will they mitigate against the consequences but prevent too. I think it's an hourly self test. At least that is what I was told. Most annoying.
Thank you for the benefit of your knowledge once again, MarkyT!
No I don't think so
You'll only get flashing yellows at Chelsfield if the route is set into platform 4 (up slow) at Orpington. A green means the route is set onto the up fast to platform 2. Two steady yellows tells you the signal before Orpington is at danger.
