A question about AWS.

[Scott]

That's because it's an emergency... Yes, it's meant to go G, YY, Y, R. But it could go straight to R at any time for any reason.

I guess that it doesn't go straight to red often then? :-P

 

[Aureol]

I guess that it doesn't go straight to red often then? :-P

In a perfect world it should never happen

However, Aureol's referring to (I suspect) the possibility of passing a green, and expecting at least a YY in the next signal. It's entirely possible that the next signal could have been replaced to danger, either in an emergency or in error. That's what you need to stay awake for!

Correct. Sorry if I didn't make myself clear enough

 

[Tomnick]

Correct. Sorry if I didn't make myself clear enough

Made sense to me at least!

 

[Aureol]

Made sense to me at least!

Ahh, she's not killed your mind yet then after what, 3/4 months?

 

[O L Leigh]

These are called signal reversions and happen from time to time. Sometimes it's because the signaller has needed to put the road back because of an emergency situation but it's mostly as a result of signal equipment failure. If you happen to pass a signal at danger because it's broken (as I have) it won't come back to you as a driver.

O L Leigh

 

[Tomnick]

Ahh, she's not killed your mind yet then after what, 3/4 months?

Ah, there's no secrets around here

Hopefully everyone's clear on the circumstances in which one can be thrown back in front of
a train? I've heard of plenty of occasions (and been indirectly involved in a couple myself, albeit only at the 25mph pace of the GC) in which the signal has been replaced in front of the driver in error. That's got the potential for the strongest words from the driver! (Quite justifiably, I must add...!)

 

[TDK]

In a perfect world it should never happen

Correct. Sorry if I didn't make myself clear enough

In absolute block you can go from a green (semaphore) to a red. You cannot learn how to drive a train with a simulator either unless it is a professional one and even then there is a controlled environment. It takes a good 3 years of driving to confidently say you are good at your job and even them drivers make mistakes as you do when driving a car, it't the consequences of the mistake whether the driver is put into SMD (specially monitored drivers). If a driver has a SPAD they do not get sacked unless they are found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, are found to be grossly neglegent or blatantly break the rules. In **** post SPAD drivers with most companies and their unions are treated with respect and care and it is in the companies interest to get them back driving ASAP.

 

[Aureol]

Ah, there's no secrets around here

Well no, seeing as I was on the 37 at the GC when everyone was strutting around in suits and glasses of champagne...if I remember correctly I think I laughed at Spittle

 

[ungreat]

That couldn't happen, because the train wouldn't have enough time to slow down before passing the danger signal. D:

Oh yes it can,and does..A few years back I had a green signal change back to red in front of me whilst doing 100mph.Turned out it was a power spike that flicked it back to red.So the signalman reckoned anyway!