Driving around South-East London on DC, I've noticed some new devices appearing. They're a thin yellow bar between each rail, with a metal section in the middle. They're also connected to solar panels providing power. They're mostly placed in close proximity to impedance bonds and AWS magnets. Does anybody know what they're for?
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
New Devices Popping Up in Four-Foot
- Thread starter Skoodle
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
AlexNL
Established Member
- Joined
- 19 Dec 2014
- Messages
- 1,721
Do they look anything like this, perhaps?
Pictured: a Dual Inventive "ZKL 3000 RC"
If so, they're track circuit operating devices. They're used to safely give or take line blocks. They can be powered by a battery, but Dual Inventive also sell solar panels which can provide them with power.
Pictured: a Dual Inventive "ZKL 3000 RC"
If so, they're track circuit operating devices. They're used to safely give or take line blocks. They can be powered by a battery, but Dual Inventive also sell solar panels which can provide them with power.
My guess would be indicating which line is closed for any PW staff walking around the site.
Tom Quinne
On Moderation
- Joined
- 8 Jul 2017
- Messages
- 2,225
Fantastic idea, especially on multi track sections where the team is inside live open lines.
Class 170101
On Moderation
- Joined
- 1 Mar 2014
- Messages
- 8,664
Surprised they used green though. Might it give a driver on an adjacent open line a false impression of the signals ahead especially ground mounted ones?
One by itself, maybe. But a whole sequence of them? Besides, LEDs usually have a pretty tight beam so they would barely be visible from the cab looking down.
Tom Quinne
On Moderation
- Joined
- 8 Jul 2017
- Messages
- 2,225
I know track a mobile circuit device has been trialed, but I’m not sure the LEDs have I’d assume each use would have to be risk assessed prior to use.
Ideally there would be a quicker, and safer way of setting up T3s and LBs instead of protection controllers going out into the night to place PLB and dets.
Most routine T3s and all routine maintenance/inspection line blocks are taken to agreed limits, so a device which can be left in situ and activated remotely would save a lot of time.
Ideally there would be a quicker, and safer way of setting up T3s and LBs instead of protection controllers going out into the night to place PLB and dets.
Most routine T3s and all routine maintenance/inspection line blocks are taken to agreed limits, so a device which can be left in situ and activated remotely would save a lot of time.
AlexNL
Established Member
- Joined
- 19 Dec 2014
- Messages
- 1,721
The photo was taken in the Netherlands (specifically, at a siding near 's-Hertogenbosch station), I don't know what the green LEDs are for.
On Dual Inventive's website there's a story from 2018 about how a Network Rail project team used this device to gain massive time savings - surely the product must be appreciated by NR if it's now popping up in other places.
On Dual Inventive's website there's a story from 2018 about how a Network Rail project team used this device to gain massive time savings - surely the product must be appreciated by NR if it's now popping up in other places.
mr_moo
Member
It is indeed now becoming more commonplace within NR teams, although care is of course needed with where they are used as axle counters are now being used in preference to track circuits in many areas.
- Status