Morecambe station TRTS?

[Chrius56000]

Hi!

I have another question about the Morecambe Branch signalling!

I noticed when supervision of the branch was transferred to Preston Power Box, TRTS (Train Ready To Start) plungers were added to the platform ends near the buffer–stops – given that the 1994 replacement Morecambe Railtrack station was not provided with platform–end starters either when opened or subsequently, how do drivers know, in the absence of starters, that the route is clear and set?

An article I read in "RAIL" magazine mentioned that a R/G starter with no yellow aspect was provided at Blackpool South after electrification to North was completed!

Chris Williams

 

[4-SUB 4732]

Hi!

I have another question about the Morecambe Branch signalling!

I noticed when supervision of the branch was transferred to Preston Power Box, T.R.T.S. plungers were added to the platform ends near the buffer–stops – given that Morecambe was not provided with platform–end starters either when opened or subsequently, how do drivers know, in the absence of starters, that the route is clear and set?

An article I read in "RAIL" magazine mentioned that a R/G starter with no yellow aspect was provided at Blackpool South after electrification to North was completed!

Chris Williams

Well, this seems to me somewhat obvious.

Both lines, west of Bare Lane, are treated as single lines with Preston knowing if they are occupied or not. Think, erm, Ambergate?

The fact there is a Ground Frame for Heysham adds to that idea, with a remote release being put up for it and the line believing its occupied for however long it takes to do Bare Lane - Morecambe - Heysham - Morecambe - Bare Lane.

I assume Preston PSB's controls also won't allow something to enter the platform at Bare Lane on the side where a train is already at the Morecambe end, i.e. a failsafe.

As for a TRTS, it probably indicates that they are leaving and they want the road set towards Bare Lane, to avoid a restrictive aspect?

 

[LowLevel]

Hi!

I have another question about the Morecambe Branch signalling!

I noticed when supervision of the branch was transferred to Preston Power Box, T.R.T.S. plungers were added to the platform ends near the buffer–stops – given that the 1994 replacement Morecambe Railtrack station was not provided with platform–end starters either when opened or subsequently, how do drivers know, in the absence of starters, that the route is clear and set?

An article I read in "RAIL" magazine mentioned that a R/G starter with no yellow aspect was provided at Blackpool South after electrification to North was completed!

Chris Williams

The drivers don't need to know the route is clear and set. The TRTS will be to let the signaller know the train is ready to start and to make arrangements in good time to start the barrier sequence and get the signals cleared at Bare Lane crossing. They will drive until they encounter the signals which I imagine will have a distant signal in advance to let them know if they need to get ready to stop at a red. Once they've entered the signal line they have authority to go to the station and back to the first signal. On the Heysham side the drivers operate the groundframe themselves and authorise their own movement in doing so whilst they have the train staff on to the Heysham branch.

 

[Railsigns]

An article I read in "RAIL" magazine mentioned that a R/G starter with no yellow aspect was provided at Blackpool South after electrification to North was completed!

A signal (BL5834) was installed because the method of working was changed from One Train Working to Track Circuit Block. Under TCB, a train isn't normally allowed to change its direction unless a signal is cleared at the original rear end of the train.

 

[endofthetunnel]

how do drivers know, in the absence of starters, that the route is clear and set?

TRTS is a button to tell signallers that a train is ready to start, not the other way around to communicate with a train, so if there’s no starter signal at a platform the train will just leave when it’s ready.

Many platforms around the network don’t use TRTS, it is really only needed when there’s an action required by the signaller which can’t be done too far in advance - for example a level crossing or to set a route over a complex junction

 

[driver9000]

The TRTS plunger at Morecambe is there simply to indicate to the level crossing desk at Preston PSB that the train will be leaving in 2 minutes and that they should lower the barriers at Bare Lane. A signal protects the crossing and the line is worked as One Train Working (each line is an independent single line) so there will only be one train on the line at a time.

Bare Lane crossing is a bit of a bone of contention for local motorists since the signal box was abolished as the barriers are down longer since the move to Preston control.

 

[childwallblues]

These days are there any passenger trains that run around the northern curve between Bare Lane and Hest Bank?

 

[Freightmaster]

These days are there any passenger trains that run around the northern curve between Bare Lane and Hest Bank?

Yes:

Realtime Trains | 2C99 0519 Lancaster to Morecambe | 30/01/2023

Real-time train running information for 2C99 0519 departure from Lancaster to Morecambe on 30/01/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

MARK

 

[Ken H]

These days are there any passenger trains that run around the northern curve between Bare Lane and Hest Bank?

Looking at the Northern timetable seems none are scheduled. Bit naughty as i dont believe a closure procedure has been followed.

 

[Ken H]

Yes:

Realtime Trains | 2C99 0519 Lancaster to Morecambe | 30/01/2023

Real-time train running information for 2C99 0519 departure from Lancaster to Morecambe on 30/01/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

MARK

Where is that in Northern timetables? It shoukd be in the Leeds -Lancaster - Morecambe one.

 

[pdeaves]

These days are there any passenger trains that run around the northern curve between Bare Lane and Hest Bank?

In the general case, have a look at http://www.psul4all.free-online.co.uk/2023.pdf for this and similar services elsewhere.

 

[Ken H]

In the general case, have a look at http://www.psul4all.free-online.co.uk/2023.pdf for this and similar services elsewhere.

Thanks for that.

 

[Zooty]

The drivers don't need to know the route is clear and set. The TRTS will be to let the signaller know the train is ready to start and to make arrangements in good time to start the barrier sequence and get the signals cleared at Bare Lane crossing. They will drive until they encounter the signals which I imagine will have a distant signal in advance to let them know if they need to get ready to stop at a red. Once they've entered the signal line they have authority to go to the station and back to the first signal. On the Heysham side the drivers operate the groundframe themselves and authorise their own movement in doing so whilst they have the train staff on to the Heysham branch.

Fixed distant boards at Morecambe if I recall correctly.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Jan 2023 ==

The TRTS plunger at Morecambe is there simply to indicate to the level crossing desk at Preston PSB that the train will be leaving in 2 minutes and that they should lower the barriers at Bare Lane. A signal protects the crossing and the line is worked as One Train Working (each line is an independent single line) so there will only be one train on the line at a time.

Bare Lane crossing is a bit of a bone of contention for local motorists since the signal box was abolished as the barriers are down longer since the move to Preston control.

Indeed it is a bone. Barriers are now down for at least 6 minutes for trains coming from Morecambe. 10 is not uncommon, and longer is not unheard of. Used to be 2-3 minutes when the box was there.

 

[30907]

Where is that in Northern timetables? It shoukd be in the Leeds -Lancaster - Morecambe one.

It is correctly shown in the NRT (100 and 106) but incorrectly in the Northern one.