Llanelli level crossings X 2

[truckman060473]

I have seen two different situations. (1) train comes in from Swansea with the east crossing down and arrives at station and then the west side crossing goes down. (2) east goes down, then a minute before arrival, the west side goes down. there was not a train arriving from the west on these two occasions and wonder if the crossing is meant to be down before a train arrives, if it crosses that level crossing when departing? and with today's strict heath & safety rules didn't they start this procedure in case a train with faulty brakes over runs the station?

 

[ChrisCooper]

If the crossing is within the overlap of the signal (200yds, 186m) then it will have to be clear before the previous signal can be cleared. The overlap must also be clear of a train and points in it must be set correctly and locked, with no conflicting moves. The 200yd overlap is there for safety in case a train overruns, either due to faulty brakes or driver error. It's not new, the rules have been the same for a long time, right back to the days of semaphore signalling, although having multiple stop signals means rules are more complicated there, and often vary from one location to another.

 

[GB]

Level crossings are not considered an obstruction where the railway is concerened so the usual overlap rules are not always applicable when it comes to crossings.

 

[Kingston Flyer]

Talking of crossings

Does anyone know what has happened to Llantrisant west crossing just west of what is now Pontyclun station?

It doesn't appear to have been working today, with all trains (in both directions) stopping at the signal just sort of it, with the driver then getting trackside (and i would assume requesting to pass the red)

All westbound trains I have seen today (3 in total) have gone past the signal slowing at red.

 

[142094]

Usually happens either when there is a fault with the barriers or they are doing maintenance. Were there any staff near to the level crossing? You sometimes see them stopping traffic and flagging trains.

 

[Kingston Flyer]

no staff (apart from the drivers) at the time

The crossing was fine yesterday though, so can't have been much.

 

[peradon]

Having seen the state of the foodbridges over that line in Llanelli, I am hardly suprised that the level crossing is broken aswell.

 

[GB]

Though I do not know there area concerned, there could be any number of reasons why the signal can't or won't clear, not just a level crossing problem.

 

[truckman060473]

but what i mean is, the chap in the signal box presses a button to activate the crossing (doesn't he?) so on one occasion he puts both down before the train comes in (platform stop is in between the two crossings) and on the second occasion he puts one down and lets the train cross it, come to a stop, and then puts the other crossing down. as i said there is no train approaching from the other direction in both instances.