Signalling Quiz 10

[strange6]

1: What is the function of a 'Signal Post Replacement Switch?

2: Under what circumstances would a 'delayed yellow' be used?

3: What is a 'doll'?

4: Explain what you know about the 'clearing point'.

Answers on Wednesday night! (16/3/2010)

 

[Hydro]

1. To key a signal to danger for emergency or protection purposes.

 

[LE Greys]

3. Another word for a ground signal, one of these.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
4. The clearing point is the point beyond a signal where a train is considered to have passed it to clear the line. A train cannot be allowed to approach a signal unless an "overlap" beyond it is clear, in case it overruns the signal. This is normally 1/4 of a mile with semaphores and 200 yds with coloured lights. The clearing point is at the far end of this, and the last vehicle of a train must pass the clearing point before the signal in rear can be cleared.

 

[Bedpan]

2) Where for operational reasons a train needs to pass a signal when the train in front has not cleared the clearing point - for instance if my memory is correct from 30 years ago, the last signal before Waterloo displayed a green aspect if the platform being entererd was unoccupied but a delayed yellow (train brought to stand before signal cleared) for a train entering a platform that was already occupied.

 

[Zoe]

This is normally 1/4 of a mile with semaphores and 200 yds with coloured lights.

The clearing point is the distance beyond the home signal that must be clear for a signalled running movement to approach the home signal. This distant depends on if the distant is a semaphore or colour light. If the distant is a semaphore then the clearing point is 440 yards. If the distant is a seamphore then the clearing point is 200 yards, this applies even if you have a sempahore home signal.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

2: Under what circumstances would a 'delayed yellow' be used?

Where the next stop signal cannot be cleared, so the train is brought at or nearly to a stand before clearing the signal to indicate to the driver that the next signal is at danger.

 

[Zoe]

Where the next stop signal cannot be cleared, so the train is brought at or nearly to a stand before clearing the signal to indicate to the driver that the next signal is at danger.

However this does not apply if the signal on the approach is a colour light that can display a yellow aspect and requires the line to be clear up to and including the overlap beyond the signal at danger. It also doesn't apply if the signal on the approach is controlled by the occupation of a berth track circuit.

 

[strange6]

ANSWERS!

1: A key-operated switch on the post of an automatic colour light signal which allows the signal to be set at red in an emergency or for engineering work

2:A colour light signal in which the change of red to yellow is delayed to slow the spped of a train because ther is not the normal clear overlap beyond the next signal ahead. In effect a delayed yellow serves almost the same purpose as a warning signal in semaphore areas but is used more widley

3: A small post carrying a signal arm or arms on a bracket or gantry signal, with more than one denoting a junction ahead!

4: The distance beyond the outermost home signal which must be kept at clear in addition to the block section when a train is accepted from the signalbox in rear. The distance is usually 1/4 mile. Today, in clour light practice it is called the overlap and the distance is usually less.

 

[Zoe]

The distance beyond the outermost home signal which must be kept at clear in addition to the block section when a train is accepted from the signalbox in rear. The distance is usually 1/4 mile. Today, in clour light practice it is called the overlap and the distance is usually less.

It is still called the clearing point in absolute block even if the home is a colour light. The distance of the clearing point in this case depends on if the distant is a sempahore or colour light.

 

[strange6]

It is still called the clearing point in absolute block even if the home is a colour light. The distance of the clearing point in this case depends on if the distant is a sempahore or colour light.

Yup. well said, zoe

 

[The Barlow Boy]

1: What is the function of a 'Signal Post Replacement Switch?

2: Under what circumstances would a 'delayed yellow' be used?

3: What is a 'doll'?

4: Explain what you know about the 'clearing point'.

Answers on Wednesday night! (16/3/2010)

If you're going to set a rules quiz you must use official terms. "Doll" is railways slang/jargon and should not be used.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

2) Where for operational reasons a train needs to pass a signal when the train in front has not cleared the clearing point - for instance if my memory is correct from 30 years ago, the last signal before Waterloo displayed a green aspect if the platform being entererd was unoccupied but a delayed yellow (train brought to stand before signal cleared) for a train entering a platform that was already occupied.

Things have changed.......
A train entering a terminus will enter the platform on a single yellow. (the red light on the buffer stops is, effectively, the next signal). If the platform is occupied then the signal will be passed at danger by the clearance of a subsidiary signal. (Section S pages 15 last paragraph, "This applies even......." and page 22 "When the signal is cleared, it authorises the Driver to: pass the main aspect at danger.....".

 

[Railsigns]

If you're going to set a rules quiz you must use official terms. "Doll" is railways slang/jargon and should not be used.

"Doll" isn't slang; it's official railway terminology, used in many old railway textbooks and signalling notices and its meaning is defined in Railway Group Guidance Note GK/GN0802 "Glossary of Signalling Terms". Contrast this with, say, "feather" which is widely understood as a slang term for a junction indicator but isn't used officially or mentioned in GK/GN0802.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

"Doll" isn't slang; it's official railway terminology, used in many old railway textbooks and signalling notices and its meaning is defined in Railway Group Guidance Note GK/GN0802 "Glossary of Signalling Terms". Contrast this with, say, "feather" which is widely understood as a slang term for a junction indicator but isn't used officially or mentioned in GK/GN0802.

Is dolly in there? I've heard it referred to as a dolly - but never a doll. I'm also quite surprised that feather isn't in there.

 

[Railsigns]

Is dolly in there? I've heard it referred to as a dolly - but never a doll.

Dolly isn't there, no. "Doll" and "dolly" refer to two different things though, and I've never seen these words used interchangeably. "Doll" is an official term for a short post carrying a semaphore arm; "dolly" is one of the many slang terms for a ground shunting signal.

I'm also quite surprised that feather isn't in there.

It's not included because it's slang.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Dolly isn't there, no. "Doll" and "dolly" refer to two different things though, and I've never seen these words used interchangeably. "Doll" is an official term for a short post carrying a semaphore arm; "dolly" is one of the many slang terms for a ground shunting signal.

It's not included because it's slang.

Ah right - I assumed that as they were so similar that they were just variations.

Feather is used so much that I would argue it isn't slang any more - it's fast becoming a term.

 

[strange6]

If you're going to set a rules quiz you must use official terms. "Doll" is railways slang/jargon and should not be used.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Things have changed.......
A train entering a terminus will enter the platform on a single yellow. (the red light on the buffer stops is, effectively, the next signal). If the platform is occupied then the signal will be passed at danger by the clearance of a subsidiary signal. (Section S pages 15 last paragraph, "This applies even......." and page 22 "When the signal is cleared, it authorises the Driver to: pass the main aspect at danger.....".

Nup, sorry. 'Doll' is not slang!

 

[Zoe]

Feather is used so much that I would argue it isn't slang any more - it's fast becoming a term.

Unless you are on the Southern.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Unless you are on the Southern.

I am and it is still a common term amongst all drivers and other Railway staff I know.

 

[The Barlow Boy]

Nup, sorry. 'Doll' is not slang!

Where does the term "doll" appear in any publication with the prefix RT?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Feathers,lunar lights, cats eyes etc are all slang terms. None of these appear in any official publications. It's an undeniable fact that they are in common usage but they're still slang terms for route indicators and colour light area subsidiary signals.

 

[seagull]

Actually, 'dolly' is slang for a ground disc signal, but the word 'doll' is legitimate usage:

http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Railway_Group_Standards/Control%20Command%20and%20Signalling/Guidance%20Notes/GKGN0802%20Iss%201.pdf

Do a search for 'doll' in that PDF which is a Glossary of Signalling Terms produced by RSSB.

Meaning: A short post on a Cantilever or Gantry, on which is mounted one or more Semaphore Signals.

It's not something I'd ever heard of until reading this thread though!

 

[strange6]

Actually, 'dolly' is slang for a ground disc signal, but the word 'doll' is legitimate usage:

http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Railway_Group_Standards/Control%20Command%20and%20Signalling/Guidance%20Notes/GKGN0802%20Iss%201.pdf

Do a search for 'doll' in that PDF which is a Glossary of Signalling Terms produced by RSSB.

Meaning: A short post on a Cantilever or Gantry, on which is mounted one or more Semaphore Signals.

It's not something I'd ever heard of until reading this thread though!

Glad I could be of some educational value