"Do Not Step"

[D Foster]

Going through pics taken around Didcot in 2010 I have a weird object in the 4foot way... A flat "metal" cover extending over three sleepers with the words "Do Not Step" in raised (whatever the opposite of embossed is) letters on the top. It looks about the same width as an AWS magnet and has wires to it from an orange (protecting) pipe. It also has a metal protecting ramp on the approach end of it.
It's probably completely obvious to anyone who knows what this gubbins is... But - it's another weird bit of equipment that I've not yet identified...
Help please!
Thanks

 

[gsnedders]

Could it be a balise for ATP? Struggling to find photos on Google, but given the location it's plausible!

 

[Nippy]

It is an ATP beacon. Most appear to miss the Do Not Step bit though.

 

[Trog]

As opposed to the transponders BR designed for the APT that you could run a JCB over without doing any damage.

 

[tsr]

If it has "Do Not Step" on it, it is most probably a legacy device called a "railway mine". Unfortunately, during development of rolling stock capable of regular running at speeds greater than 100mph, it was realised that railway detonators did not meet the stringent criteria for reliably causing a significant notification at high speeds. Rather than merely causing a brown trouser moment for the driver through a sudden "bang" and plume of smoke, a slightly more powerful device was developed which had a backup secondary trouser browning system. This would cause a precisely-developed jolt through the leading bogie which would upset a moderate amount of tea from the driver's mug. "MINE" was never initially meant to be an explosives-related term but instead stood for "Mug Inversion Notification in Emergencies". However, the name was even more well-suited when it was realised that track workers really should not step on these devices because they had a nasty tendency to catapult them into trackside hedgerows, and one engineer was even thrown clean through a platelayer's hut window. This explains the diligence in not permitting these devices to be used as a step. The system was eventually replaced with SHELLS, or Synchronised High-Explosive Liquid Launching Systems, an in-cab system revolving around various pieces of cab trim falling off into the mug.

 

[Mordac]

If it has "Do Not Step" on it, it is most probably a legacy device called a "railway mine". Unfortunately, during development of rolling stock capable of regular running at speeds greater than 100mph, it was realised that railway detonators did not meet the stringent criteria for reliably causing a significant notification at high speeds. Rather than merely causing a brown trouser moment for the driver through a sudden "bang" and plume of smoke, a slightly more powerful device was developed which had a backup secondary trouser browning system. This would cause a precisely-developed jolt through the leading bogie which would upset a moderate amount of tea from the driver's mug. "MINE" was never initially meant to be an explosives-related term but instead stood for "Mug Inversion Notification in Emergencies". However, the name was even more well-suited when it was realised that track workers really should not step on these devices because they had a nasty tendency to catapult them into trackside hedgerows, and one engineer was even thrown clean through a platelayer's hut window. This explains the diligence in not permitting these devices to be used as a step. The system was eventually replaced with SHELLS, or Synchronised High-Explosive Liquid Launching Systems, an in-cab system revolving around various pieces of cab trim falling off the mug.

Where's the like button?

 

[DaleCooper]

raised (whatever the opposite of embossed is) letters

Embossed is the same as raised

 

[Joseph_Locke]

As opposed to the transponders BR designed for the APT that you could run a JCB over without doing any damage.

... though us PWay types always relish a challenge where S&T equipment is concerned. We even have a special machine for removing orange pipes.

 

[Domh245]

... though us PWay types always relish a challenge where S&T equipment is concerned. We even have a special machine for removing orange pipes.

It's not this one is it?

 

[Philip Phlopp]

It's not this one is it?

No, that's the black pipe fitting machine.

Or that's what the brochure says, anyway.

 

[tsr]

Where's the like button?

I'm afraid it's one of the unlabelled ones by the emergency shower next to the carriage wash.

 

[Trog]

I think I used a good proportion of the APT transponders up myself covering holes in the floors of spoil wagons. If any one ever uses a machine that depends on transponders of the right frequency on the site of Liddlington spoil tip it is going to go absolutely ape ****.

The real art with cables of course is knowing just how much to stretch them so the metal cores break but not the insulation.

 

[D Foster]

Thanks guys

So - if it's an APT balise and not a MINE or a SHELLS (I'm certain that modern H&S management would freak at such things) would the APT thingy still be connected up and working - or is it just redundant junk that hasn't been removed yet?
I don't think that I mentioned - the "thing" is just on the approach side of a signal - with the TPWS displaced to just beyond the signal due to the things location.
Thanks

 

[Trog]

Remember APT transponders on the WCML long out of use and by now very few remain, they are self contained with no external cables. So if you could find an APT to use them some might still work. The Pendolinos etc using a light weight yellow plastic transponder instead.
On the GWR ATP transponders still in use and commonly found.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

It's not this one is it?

No.

I think I've worked with this one:

They have Rolls Royce engines ... lovely noise to drown out the screams of rage from the Sick & Tired as it twangs another track tail ...

 

[D Foster]

No.

I think I've worked with this one:

They have Rolls Royce engines ... lovely noise to drown out the screams of rage from the Sick & Tired as it twangs another track tail ...

Working fully tangoed I was working as LXA around 02.00 with a machine like that when Merseyside Police stopped on the crossing (a road traffic offence I think?) and demanded to know what the MC and I were doing at that time of night... With the machine crunching toward us... My Scouse colleague replied "Catching some rays. What you think?" (A tad less politely).
Turned out they were armed response - and didn't like his "attitude"... Didn't like it even more when I started to lower the barriers... Suddenly decided that they had to be some place else when we told them that the machine was running on auto and programmed not to stop...

Nights out with the PWay could be so much fun!

 

[SodTheDrummer]

Working fully tangoed I was working as LXA around 02.00 with a machine like that when Merseyside Police stopped on the crossing (a road traffic offence I think?) and demanded to know what the MC and I were doing at that time of night... With the machine crunching toward us... My Scouse colleague replied "Catching some rays. What you think?" (A tad less politely).
Turned out they were armed response - and didn't like his "attitude"... Didn't like it even more when I started to lower the barriers... Suddenly decided that they had to be some place else when we told them that the machine was running on auto and programmed not to stop...

Nights out with the PWay could be so much fun!

The need for a 'Like' button just increased tenfold!

 

[kentuckytony]

the need for a 'like' button just increased tenfold! :d

like