Maintaining the clearing point

[Zoe]

TS3/3.4.2:

After you have accepted a train from Signal Box A, you must not allow the line to be obstructed within the clearing point for that train unless one of the following applies:

I understand the first five points but this one confuses me:

*General signalling regulation 4.13.2 applies

TS1/4.13.2:

If you cannot set a route for a train until the train is close to the junction signal, you must take account of the speed and position of the train, and only set the route if it is safe to do so.

Why does the fact that you cannot set a route for a train until the train is close to the junction allow you to obstruct the clearing point? You wouldn't have been able to accept the train in the first place if the clearing point was fouled.

 

[John Webb]

There may be a conflicting movement in progress which prevents you setting the route at a junction? That movement, because it's on another line, doesn't actually foul the clearing point on the line you are accepting the train on but stops you setting the route the train needs to take onto another line.

This is, I think, a modern version of part of the 1960 Regulation 4 regarding acceptance of trains, and of Part C, para 4.6 of the 1972 Rule book about clearing stop signals, but I speak as an interested enthusiast rather than a qualified signaller!

 

[daza7789]

The rule book does not word this brilliantly i know.

A----------p----*------B
\
*
\
C

For example, you have a facing junction as above. your clearing point extends over the points (* marks clearing point).
Now say you are offered a train that needs to go from A - C. But you are unable so set the points towards C at that moment, due to a conflicting move etc.
So long as the clearing point towards B is clear, and the points are set and locked towards B, you can still accept the train.

GSR 4.13.2 then comes in, when you are in a possition that you can set the points towards C.
Bear in mind that moving the points within the clearing point is technically obstructing the clearing point.

Hope this makes sence
Daz
(Signaller)


PS P marks where points are and the line to C leads off, forum formatted my diagram!

 

[Tomnick]

That makes sense to me - basically it's saying that it's acceptable to move facing points within the clearing point (as long as it's "safe" to do so and the line is clear to the clearing point on the other route too). Badly worded, I agree, and it has had me confused, I'll admit.

 

[The Barlow Boy]

'course if the warning acceptance - wasn't it block regulation 5? - hadn't been abolished it would have made life less complicated.

 

[Tomnick]

Even then there'd be many, many locations where it wasn't authorised, at least for passenger trains, so you'd still have the same problem.