Headlights at rear

[samuelmorris]

The <service removed> (a pair of 315s) departed Brentwood with the headlights on at the rear this evening. Does this mean the tail lights would be on at the front? What would be the potential outcome of this happening? First time I think I've seen it in practice.

 

[ComUtoR]

Driver error by the sounds.

As the unit leaves the platform, it should be watched by staff (if they are dispatching) This would be reported to the Signaller/Control and the Driver would be contacted and asked to change them.

Depending on the traction, the front light would be headlights as the Driver would/should have changed them during their cab setup.

 

[30907]

Yes.

It can happen on some stock. In daylight - at night the mistake is more obvious.

A signaller, or more likely these days a driver coming the other way, or another staff member, will signal to the forgetful driver. Can't remember what the signal is, though.

 

[samuelmorris]

Fair enough, so it is possible to have headlights at both ends. I wasn't sure whether there was a system in place to prevent that.

 

[Darandio]

Can't remember what the signal is, though.

I believe it's this.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Fair enough, so it is possible to have headlights at both ends. I wasn't sure whether there was a system in place to prevent that.

On more recent stock it's a standard feature. Older stock relies on traincrew being meticulous; mistakes will occasionally be made.

 

[Bungle158]

In the west it was bog standard for guards to check tails as part of the change ends procedure. As the same prehistoric traction remains in service on secondary services, l guess it still is.

Showing incorrect lights would result in a quick phone call from dispatch or a minor blocking at worse.

 

[ComUtoR]

I wasn't sure whether there was a system in place to prevent that.

In a 376 you would get a notification on the Mitrac to say that the lights are configured incorrectly
In a 700, if you take the key off the lights will automatically go red but you can switch the rear over from the front cab anyway.

The rule book allows for whites both ends so it needs to be possible.

 

[WannabeTrainDriver]

Has there ever been a rule whereby passing a train with reds on the front would mean danger and a brake application by the passing train? I thought I had heard this somewhere.

 

[BMIFlyer]

On the desiro fleet, the TMS alerts you if your lights are set up wrong. It’s very good.

 

[simple simon]

I've seen this before - albeit on a different train on a different route - but still here in the UK.

As an aside, there is one network where red lights are shown at the front, but its overseas (MBTA, Boston, Mass)

 

[driver9000]

Has there ever been a rule whereby passing a train with reds on the front would mean danger and a brake application by the passing train? I thought I had heard this somewhere.

Yes. Reds to the front is meant to indicate obstruction/danger. Modern stock have flashing headlights to indicate this now.

 

[driver9000]

Fair enough, so it is possible to have headlights at both ends. I wasn't sure whether there was a system in place to prevent that.

Whites on both ends should be displayed when going to assist in the wrong direction.

 

[380101]

Has there ever been a rule whereby passing a train with reds on the front would mean danger and a brake application by the passing train? I thought I had heard this somewhere.

Yes that is in the rule book, however the train warning of the "emergency" using their tail lights at the front would be stationary and not moving. Now that we have GSM-R, the first action of any driver will be to press the emergency button, which will alert all other trains in the immediate vicinity. Then they should put their hazard lights or tail lights on at the front and come to a stand.

 

[pompeyfan]

I once called the signaller as I was certain that a 377/4 had white markers and red markers, causing a pink on the rear. Is that even possible?

I’ve also seen far more 377s with drivers that have forgotten to set the front up properly, case of wrong place/wrong time or something less user friendly about Electrostars?

 

[samuelmorris]

As it's proven so contentious I've removed the service from the post. This post isn't about 'getting drivers into trouble', the information was included with a view to preventing recurrences of this issue given it seemed like it could be a potential safety hazard. Seemingly that sort of thing is frowned upon.

What if I had reported it to TfL via the Twitter feed instead? (I have not)

 

[richa2002]

What if I had reported it to TfL via the Twitter feed instead? (I have not)

You would have elevated yourself to next level busy-body status .

In all seriousness, other railwaymen have eyes and would soon see a minor mishap such as this and have it reported. No need for the public to get involved, or especially not to report the specifics on a forum/social media.

 

[ainsworth74]

For the avoidance of doubt if you see a post which you think breaks the Forum Rules or otherwise causes concern then you must report this post to the Forum Staff. Responding to the problem post simply creates more work for the Forum Staff when we then look at the report and consider what action to be taken. After all if you've replied to a problem post we then need to potentially delete or edit the problem post and the reply which mentions the problem content along with potentially replies to the replies!!! It rapidly turns what should be a quick five second job into one which can take a considerable period of time.

Regarding the identification of specific services there is generally no prohibition against such on the Forum but we would suggest that common courtesy would be to not identify the specific service. It isn't nice having a mistake at work identified to hoard of strangers on the internet to comment on! I've made mistakes at work before (as I'm sure we all have) and was embarrassed enough that it was just my immediate manager and colleagues that were aware. Let alone potentially thousands of strangers!

As we've very recently had a thread on topic (wrong lights showing on the the end of a train) I've also decided to lock this thread. The previous thread can be found here and if anyone has any further questions or anything substantive to add I'd ask that they use the existing thread.

Thanks,
ainsworth74