Signal Problem at Liverpool Lime Street

[nw-sparks]

Some weeks ago I noticed that trains running in to Liverpool Lime Street, mainly to platform 1, were being talked past Signal LL9073 at danger.

This seems to have been happening continuously since then, and is still going on as I write.

Do any insiders know what the problem is? Surely a "new" installation like this isn't struggling to find spares?

 

[Trothy]

It's been ongoing for multiple months and is indeed down to a shortage of spare parts, due to the company making the signal heads going bust.

 

[Annetts key]

It's been ongoing for multiple months and is indeed down to a shortage of spare parts, due to the company making the signal heads going bust.

Do know which company that is or should I say, was?

 

[childwallblues]

Why can't they just replace the signal head?

 

[Belperpete]

Why can't they just replace the signal head?

"just"? Depending on what kind of structure the head is on, what access is available for lifting equipment, what possession and OLE isolations might be needed to carry out the lifting operation, then the electrical work to safely disconnect the old head and connect the new head, independently test the work, re-sight the signal to ensure that the new head is correctly aligned..... "just"?!!!!

And that assumes that you can get a new signal head that is physically and electrically compatible with the old one. If you need to modify the structure that the head is mounted on (or even provide a complete new post), and/or modify the circuits that control and prove the aspects, then it could become a major exercise.

Back in the good old days, BR specified standard mountings and circuits that all manufacturers had to meet, so that you could replace one head with another, regardless of manufacturer. Nowadays the manufacturers of LED signals seem to be each going their own way, with in some cases structures being integral or designed for a particular type of head. Obviously if that manufacturer goes out of business, this is going to cause issues.

 

[Annetts key]

Back in the good old days, BR specified standard mountings and circuits that all manufacturers had to meet, so that you could replace one head with another, regardless of manufacturer. Nowadays the manufacturers of LED signals seem to be each going their own way, with in some cases structures being integral or designed for a particular type of head. Obviously if that manufacturer goes out of business, this is going to cause issues.

Ahh yes, that's the beauty of how the railway has developed since BR was sliced and diced, why have a single sensible standard (with interchangeable parts) when each manufacturer can develop it's own. Gives you so many to choose between. And makes it hell for the maintenance side with regards to spares, even before any manufacturer ends production or stops trading....

Cranks for backdrives for power operated points was the worst. With lots of different, incompatible types from many companies.

 

[nw-sparks]

Thanks all for the responses.

Still broken yesterday evening, by the way.

 

[skyhigh]

Do know which company that is or should I say, was?

I would also be interested to know. A life extension project near me has stalled with half the work done - I wonder if this might explain the reason why.