Questions about UK rail operation

[hexagon789]

156’s don’t have vigilance. Or the ones I drove didn’t.

I know GWR fitted their 150/2s with vigilance and I think ScotRail's 156s have a DVD.

 

[matchmaker]

This is right
But AWS also used the electro-magnetic system developed by LNER. They took the best bits of both to make AWS.
It was felt the WR electrical system was not good as it involved a physical connection at speed. AWS there is not physical contact between train and track based equipment.

The OP may also not know that AWS can be placed by speed restriction signs, and also portable gear can be put by temporary speed restriction signs.

No AWS on the London Underground. They traditionally used trainstops. When a signal was at danger, a lever was raised. It would then hit a valve on the train emptying the air brake pipe and stopping the train.

The Hudd electro-magnetic system was a joint LMS & LNER collaboration. This is mentioned in the MOT accident report into the serious collision at Castlecary in 1937 and indeed, the Edinburgh - Glasgow line was to be one of the first applications of the system. WW2 put an end to this.

 

[matchmaker]

Not that I know of. Was Apperley Jn the last?

Think Larbert Junction had the last ones.