level crossing concern

[richw]

I stopped at the lights for the level crossing here http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&rlz=&q=pengegon+camborne&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl (the crossing is on "lower pengegon" just south of dolcoath road
this evening, the barrier started coming down, but before it was all the way down the train shot through, the lights had been flashing for less than 30 seconds. this was a penzance bound train,
about 5 mins later, a truro bound train set the crossing off in plenty of time, a good 3 or 4 minutes,

i was actually waiting for a friend who lives near the crossing, and was a tad concerned that the crossing never came down in sufficient time, is this normal timings for level crossings?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

That cannot be right that the train came through before the barrier was fully down; I would urge you to report this to NR immediately, middle of the night or not.

 

[Old Timer]

If you are concerned about the safety of operation of the level crossing, which appears to be the case, then you should report the matter via the level crossing telephone.

Alternatively you should make a telephone report to the BT Police on 0845 405040

 

[scotsman]

NR's national helpline is 08457 41 11 41

However, I've found them to be ill-informed (they tried to tell me a userworked crossing's lights only lit when a train was approaching - despite it having 'stop' and 'go' lights)

 

[Tomnick]

30 seconds from the first amber light to the passage of the train is about right for an AHB crossing of this sort (minimum 27 seconds?). Obviously if the barrier failed to lower correctly, that's a cause for concern (would that be indicated to the Signalman as a failure?). Not sure why the Up train took so long to reach the crossing - perhaps it was stopped within the strike-in point (at Roskear 'box?).

 

[Zoe]

Not sure why the Up train took so long to reach the crossing - perhaps it was stopped within the strike-in point (at Roskear 'box?).

The only signal on the up line is R4. Camborne and Roskear LCs would have to be lowered in order for the train to depart Camborne. I'm not sure where the strike in point for Dolcoath AHB is but if it's triggered before the train leaves Camborne that would explain the delay.

 

[Tomnick]

I'd be surprised if it was the case that the AHB normally struck in before the train left Camborne station (unless the purpose of the TRS is to ensure that R4 signal is maintained at Danger as long as possible for an Up train, inhibiting the sequence for Dolcoath?). An Up train stopping out-of-course at Roskear SB itself would most likely already have already struck in for Dolcoath though.

 

[Zoe]

I'd be surprised if it was the case that the AHB normally struck in before the train left Camborne station (unless the purpose of the TRS is to ensure that R4 signal is maintained at Danger as long as possible for an Up train, inhibiting the sequence for Dolcoath?).

In my experience the TRS is rarely used. The last time I was down there in late 2009 the barriers for Camborne LC were down and the signal cleared before the train had arrived at Camborne station. The barriers for Roskear LC would also need to be down for this signal to clear. The Dolcoath barriers wouldn't need to be down for much longer than Roskear LC.

 

[Tomnick]

I suspect then that an Up train doesn't strike in until it has left Camborne station - if the strike-in treadle is in rear of the platform, and no signal is maintained at Danger until the train is ready to start, the sequence at Dolcoath barriers would otherwise start before the train arrived at Camborne (which would surely be unacceptable).

 

[Zoe]

I suspect then that an Up train doesn't strike in until it has left Camborne station - if the strike-in treadle is in rear of the platform, and no signal is maintained at Danger until the train is ready to start, the sequence at Dolcoath barriers would otherwise start before the train arrived at Camborne (which would surely be unacceptable).

Fair point but the Roskear barriers would also be down before the train arrived at Camborne or R4 couldn't be cleared.

 

[Tomnick]

Yes, there's not much doubt over the operation of Roskear barriers - as an MCB crossing, there's not such a pressing need to ensure that the closure time is minimised (in the case of an AHB, presumably to avoid the risk of impatient motorists giving up and weaving the barriers).