Signalling Quiz 3

[strange6]

Will make more difficult starting with this!

1.How far does an overlap extend beyond its associated signal?

2.If a position light shunt signal was displaying a yellow and white light what
would this mean to the driver?

3: Write down the three items of standard AWS track equipment in the order in which a train passes over them.

4: If the points were set in their "normal" position for the straight route with a
diverging junction to the left, which one of the following would be the correct method of reporting back the position of the points?

a) Points standing normal
b) Points not standing reverse.
c) Left hand switch rail closed.
d) Right hand switch rail not closed

5: Rail point clamp locks are operated by which one of the following methods?

a) Mechanical
b) Electro mechanical
c) Electro-pneumatic
d) Electro Hydraulic
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Would be great if a qualified signaller could have a go at this!
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Answers posted on Sunday evening!

 

[Hydro]

Will make more difficult starting with this!

1.How far does an overlap extend beyond its associated signal?


5: Rail point clamp locks are operated by which one of the following methods?

a) Mechanical
b) Electro mechanical
c) Electro-pneumatic
d) Electro Hydraulic

1. 200 yards normally I think. That's just from remembering the COSS course, no work may take place within 200 yards in rear of a protecting signal, as this is within the overlap and NOT under the signals protection. You have to use the preceding signal as protection. Overlaps can be shorter (to the extent of not having any overlap at all), and am I correct in thinking some signals on the Southern can have even longer overlaps? I seem to remember 440 yards from somewhere. Could be bollocks, just something heard in passing.

5. D. Electro-Hydraulic. The yellow boxes contain the micro switches, the points are moved and locked hydraulically.

 

[Tomnick]

1. Varies, depending upon (not sure how many of) approach speed, gradient (??), whether it's an overlap from a main route, shunt route or warner route and whether it's a goods line.

(440yds is the standard "overlap" (clearing point) on an Absolute Block line with a semaphore distant)

2. Position light signal may be passed when displaying the 'normal' indication, for the route(s) to which it does not apply - typically into a headshunt or similar.

3. Ramp, permanent magnet, electromagnet.

4. Not sure, to be honest. (b) and (d) both include the word 'not' that is liable to be lost in an inopportune moment of crackle on the telephone, so I'd rule those out. Presumably (c) removes the opportunity that (a) provides for normal/reverse positions to be confused, so my money's on (c) (with (a) a close second!)

5. No reason to doubt Hydro's answer!

 

[strange6]

Mmmm, interesting. I'll try to knock up some more questions for tomorrow.

 

[Tomnick]

I'll see if I can come up with some questions of my own too.

 

[strange6]

I'll see if I can come up with some questions of my own too.

Ok - will look forward to that. You're not too far wrong in what you've said so far!

 

[ralphchadkirk]

regarding 4, a would be my answer as the person by the points can tell normal or reverse position by the position of to point number of the sleeper.

 

[strange6]

regarding 4, a would be my answer as the person by the points can tell normal or reverse position by the position of to point number of the sleeper.

Fair do's but remember that you are reporting back to somebody ( probably an engineer) and that you must follow railway convention!
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1. Varies, depending upon (not sure how many of) approach speed, gradient (??), whether it's an overlap from a main route, shunt route or warner route and whether it's a goods line.

(440yds is the standard "overlap" (clearing point) on an Absolute Block line with a semaphore distant)

2. Position light signal may be passed when displaying the 'normal' indication, for the route(s) to which it does not apply - typically into a headshunt or similar.

3. Ramp, permanent magnet, electromagnet.

4. Not sure, to be honest. (b) and (d) both include the word 'not' that is liable to be lost in an inopportune moment of crackle on the telephone, so I'd rule those out. Presumably (c) removes the opportunity that (a) provides for normal/reverse positions to be confused, so my money's on (c) (with (a) a close second!)

5. No reason to doubt Hydro's answer!

Excellent logic applied to question 4. What do you do for a living?

 

[Hydro]

I'd say C. There is no 100% way of determining what is normal and what is reverse merely by looking at the points as these are primarily panel indications. Positioning of points numbers can't always be relied on. Saying "Left hand switch rail closed" leaves no doubt as to what route is set from what you see on the ground.

 

[strange6]

I'd say C. There is no 100% way of determining what is normal and what is reverse merely by looking at the points as these are primarily panel indications. Positioning of points numbers can't always be relied on. Saying "Left hand switch rail closed" leaves no doubt as to what route is set from what you see on the ground.

excellent logic being applied yet again. You'll have to wait until Sunday to find out! meanwhile, i will work on a quiz no 4 and make it more difficult. Questions about relays would be a little too advanced maybe?

 

[Tomnick]

Excellent logic applied to question 4. What do you do for a living?

They tell me that I'm an engineer (civils by training, but a bit of everything in practice), but not on the railway (any offers??). Away from the paid job, I'm a Signalman on the (heritage) GCR, and now also the Signalling Instructor and doing various bits on various committees - I've learnt what I know from the vast experience (who are sufficiently interested to spend time passing on what they know!) there.

Relays are largely a whole new world to me, but a few questions chucked in wouldn't do any harm!

Finally, Ralphchadkirk is right in that the normal position of points would, by convention, be identified by the position on the sleeper of the plate identifying the points (located nearest to the switch rail normally closed??). Not sure how reliable that'd be nowadays though.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Using the Id plate on the sleepers is how I've been trained to report back to a signalman whether the points are normal or reverse. Like tomnick though, I'm not mainline.

 

[Hydro]

Sometimes points numbers get moved arbitrarily for maintenance reasons, they break, fall off, get stuck back on any which way. You know what the railways like, you can be taught something as gospel then after 6 months of working on the ground come back with a million exceptions.

 

[Johnnie2Sheds]

Ok heres my go
1. 183m
2. proceed into headshunt
3. ramp pm. em.
4. c
5. d

 

[strange6]

ANSWERS as promised!


How far does an overlap extend beyond its associated signal? 200 metres

If a position light shunt signal was displaying a yellow and white light what
would this mean to the driver? Permission is granted to pass this signal for
shunting purposes.

Write down the three items of standard AWS track equipment in the order in which a train passes over them.
Ramp - Permanent Magnet - Electro-Magnet

If the points were set in their "normal" position for the straight route with a diverging junction to the left, which one of the following would be the correct method of reporting back the position of the points?

a) Points standing normal
b) Points not standing reverse.
c) Left hand switch rail closed. (CORRECT!)
d) Right hand switch rail not close

Rail point clamp locks are operated by which one of the following methods?

a) Mechanical
b) Electro mechanical
c) Electro-pneumatic
d) Electro Hydraulic (CORRECT!)


Thanks to those taking part!

 

[Railsigns]

ANSWERS as promised!

How far does an overlap extend beyond its associated signal? 200 metres

Wrong: The standard overlap length is 180 metres (197 yards).

If a position light shunt signal was displaying a yellow and white light what
would this mean to the driver? Permission is granted to pass this signal for
shunting purposes.

Wrong again: That's what two white lights at 45 degrees mean. Tomnick gave the correct answer.

 

[strange6]

Wrong: The standard overlap length is 180 metres (197 yards).



Wrong again: That's what two white lights at 45 degrees mean. Tomnick gave the correct answer.

Mmmmmmm, things must have changed recently then!
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Mmmmmmm, things must have changed recently then!

Two white lights at 45 degreees is the standard proceed indication but a yellow ligt and white light at 45 degrees is also used but less so
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Wrong: The standard overlap length is 180 metres (197 yards).



Wrong again: That's what two white lights at 45 degrees mean. Tomnick gave the correct answer.

I think we're both wrong on the overlap

http://www.railway-technical.com/sigtxt1.shtml#TheOverlap

It was 200meters at one time though

 

[Railsigns]

Two white lights at 45 degreees is the standard proceed indication but a yellow ligt and white light at 45 degrees is also used but less so

A yellow and white light at 45 degrees? Hmm, no I think you may have dreamt that one up. It certainly doesn't exist in any official capacity.

I could be persuaded to post my own signalling quiz...

 

[Tomnick]

Yellow and white lights diagonally? I think not!

 

[strange6]

A yellow and white light at 45 degrees? Hmm, no I think you may have dreamt that one up. It certainly doesn't exist in any official capacity.

I could be persuaded to post my own signalling quiz...

Go on! Be a devil!

 

[Railsigns]

I think we're both wrong on the overlap

http://www.railway-technical.com/sigtxt1.shtml#TheOverlap

It was 200meters at one time though

I was right with 180 metres.

If you want correct answers, use official sources:

Railway Group Standard GK/RT0064

 

[strange6]

I was right with 180 metres.

If you want correct answers, use official sources:

Railway Group Standard GK/RT0064

Cheers, Railsigns! I must admit I have'nt done this stuff for quite a while. Will update myself about it though. Look out for quiz 6!