27th May in Greater Manchester area

[ffcphone]

Returning northbound from Manchester Oxford Road last night on the 22:19 (or something similar) fTPE to Barrow, somewhere beyond Salford Crescent the train came to a halt. I was sitting on one of those two seats adjacent to the driver's cab and where the ramp store is located. I heard the driver's door open and thus must assume the driver left the train temporarily.

Any idea why?

We were at rest for only a few minutes, not long enough for passengers to get restless, and no announcement was made over the PA system.

As it was dark, raining and I was somewhat in complete shock at our abysmal performance in Rome, I didn't make as much effort as I might otherwise have done to see where we were when we came to rest. I was on the wrong side of the train to look for a signal or light from a bulb in the distance.

F

 

[Chester025]

You'd probably been stopped at a red signal and the driver got out to ring the signalman, a standard procedure.

 

[ffcphone]

You'd probably been stopped at a red signal and the driver got out to ring the signalman, a standard procedure.

Fair enough. Out of curiousity, under what circumstances would a driver contact the signalman when at a red?

F

 

[Mojo]

Fair enough. Out of curiousity, under what circumstances would a driver contact the signalman when at a red?

I believe (but stand to be corrected), after two minutes.

I have heard about signs though that require immediate contact with the signaller (http://www.railsigns.co.uk/pics/pic_zmin/pic_zmin.jpg), or at a longer period (the zero on that sign replaced with an alternative number).

 

[1D53]

Zero plates are fairly common, can think of at least five locations where they appear from the top of my head!