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In the situation you describe, the buffer stop light is treated as a signal displaying danger, and so should be present and lit, S&T maintain the buffer stop lights.
In certain situations buffer stops can have white lights instead of red
I've never maintained one, although I can't say that there won't be somewhere in the country where they fall under S&T. I know for certain that the white light above the buffer stops at the end of the turnback sidings at Bedwyn are 240V and therefore fall under the remit of the Distribution and Plant department.
As far as I am aware, buffer stop lights are E&P assets, not signalling assets. There are in a strange 'no mans land' in that they are, as stated above, signals (of a sort) but are not on signalling circuits.
Out and about they are maintained by NR, but on stations at my end they are maintained by the TOC maintance. Possibly because a lot of the ones on stations are wired into the station lighting circuits. If I found an unlit one I'd let the signaller know then control would send either NR out or our FM provider.
I thought that the yellow now shown approaching terminal stations and into bay platforms was because the next signal was the red light at the buffer stop.
It may be an EdF Submeter as you shouldn’t have 2 separate supplies in 1 curtiledge unless they’ve used the same cutout /supply cable for fire/electrical safety reasons
In the situation you describe, the buffer stop light is treated as a signal displaying danger, and so should be present and lit, S&T maintain the buffer stop lights.
In certain situations buffer stops can have white lights instead of red
Nothing to do with S&T in most cases. There was an S&T instruction (possibly LMR specific) back in the 80s that they were the responsibility of the M&EE dept, and were not to be proved alight in the signals reading up to them.
I've come across examples on Southern region where they were supplied from signalling location cases but not, I think, proved. I was told this was common practice for the SR.
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I thought that the yellow now shown approaching terminal stations and into bay platforms was because the next signal was the red light at the buffer stop.
Changed to Yellow following the Moorgate (LUL) tunnel end collision, although BR took a while to implement the change everywhere. Prior to that, it was common practice to give a Green to the stops, the red light not being treated as a signal.
Manchester Piccadilly and Euston, both 1950/60s installations, had Green to the stops when new. Piccadilly wasn't changed to Yellow until sometime in the early 80s from memory.
The only place I can think of with a "proper" signal at the buffer stop is Metrolink at Altrincham (signalled by NR). This is ironic, as the better brakes and headlights on trams make it less likely that they would need extra visibility of the buffer stop compared to trains.
It may be an EdF Submeter as you shouldn’t have 2 separate supplies in 1 curtiledge unless they’ve used the same cutout /supply cable for fire/electrical safety reasons
As far as I am aware, buffer stop lights are E&P assets, not signalling assets. There are in a strange 'no mans land' in that they are, as stated above, signals (of a sort) but are not on signalling circuits.
I've been stopped and cautioned once for a buffer stop which had its red light out. To be honest I think it's a bit stupid and unnecessary. Drivers know where the stops are.
The only place I can think of with a "proper" signal at the buffer stop is Metrolink at Altrincham (signalled by NR). This is ironic, as the better brakes and headlights on trams make it less likely that they would need extra visibility of the buffer stop compared to trains.
Bury does (or did Last time I was there, a couple of years ago) aswell despite being Metrolink controlled, I presume they are both legacies from heavy rail days.
I've been stopped and cautioned once for a buffer stop which had its red light out. To be honest I think it's a bit stupid and unnecessary. Drivers know where the stops are.
I agree, and after an incident at Edinburgh Waverley where a buffer stop light out caused chaos as trains were cautioned into the platform (despite the station still being lit, and as you say Drivers of course knowing exactly where the line ends!) I suggested that such lights should be replaced by reflectorised boards. Glad to see this is finally being trialled, as per post #5.
It is, but if they are treated as signals at danger then the rules say that you have to be stopped and cautioned. I'm fairly confident the signallers see it as a waste of productive time as well.
I agree, and after an incident at Edinburgh Waverley where a buffer stop light out caused chaos as trains were cautioned into the platform (despite the station still being lit, and as you say Drivers of course knowing exactly where the line ends!) I suggested that such lights should be replaced by reflectorised boards. Glad to see this is finally being trialled, as per post #5.
A reflectorised board may be sufficient at a station during good visibility and as you say drivers know where the stops are, not sure how effective it would be in very thick fog where a red light would certainly be more visible. It would certainly be more of an issue in sidings that may be unlit, away from station lights etc although that's slightly off-topic for this thread which specifically mentioned bay platforms.
It is, but if they are treated as signals at danger then the rules say that you have to be stopped and cautioned. I'm fairly confident the signallers see it as a waste of productive time as well.
They're not really treated as signals at danger, we certainly aren't trained that that is the case. I've always regarded them as lights which simply make the buffer stops more visible. There are plenty of buffer stops which don't have them fitted.
They're not really treated as signals at danger, we certainly aren't trained that that is the case. I've always regarded them as lights which simply make the buffer stops more visible. There are plenty of buffer stops which don't have them fitted.
I've been stopped and cautioned once for a buffer stop which had its red light out. To be honest I think it's a bit stupid and unnecessary. Drivers know where the stops are.
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