Derailment at Dingwall

[Tomnick]

Surely a lamp that is lit to indicate that it is not safe to proceed would be more meaningful. (a red, perhaps?)

...but not failsafe (especially important when such systems were potentially - in the beginning - designed to operate where no mains power supply was provided). As illustrated on the 'Railsigns' website though, the latest design of points indicator does include a flashing red light to replace the current black 'indication'.

 

[68000]

Did I read correctly that the speed limit over the points (and up to the next set) was 15mph and the driver was doing nearly 30mph?

 

[scotsman]

Did I read correctly that the speed limit over the points (and up to the next set) was 15mph and the driver was doing nearly 30mph?

That's what I was told anyway

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Did I read correctly that the speed limit over the points (and up to the next set) was 15mph and the driver was doing nearly 30mph?

You did read that correctly.

However, it was also suggested that he had not completed the necessary braking before the entrance to loop because the (normally lit) yellow which confirms that the points were set correctly (and which in darkess, indicates clearly where the points over which reduced speed applies actually begin, and would be visible from some distance away), was unlit.
That was the concern underlying my post this morning.
An unlit lamp in darkess doesn't convey as much information as a lit lamp. Not only does it not appear, but its position becomes barely visible, and the RAIB inspectors felt that this unlit lamp may have led to the driver having only partially reduced the train's speed, in anticipation of an indicator which was not visible from afar in times of darkness.

(before anyone snaps back a reply about route knowledge, please bear in mind that these services travel over very great distances with very little visible terrain during darkness.)

 

[scotsman]

(before anyone snaps back a reply about route knowledge, please bear in mind that these services travel over very great distances with very little visible terrain during darkness.)

With respect, this section of the route has plenty of visible terrain. You've got the A9 overpass at Maryburgh, a whistle board for a UWC, a UWC, then a "distant on" board, then around 300m you enter a cutting with trees, then you're into the town of Dingwall. The driver would have known where he was.

 

[37 418]

With respect, this section of the route has plenty of visible terrain. You've got the A9 overpass at Maryburgh, a whistle board for a UWC, a UWC, then a "distant on" board, then around 300m you enter a cutting with trees, then you're into the town of Dingwall. The driver would have known where he was.

Make that the A835 overpass, the A9 doesn't go anywhere near Dingwall

 

[scotsman]

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