Signalling Quiz 4

[strange6]

1: On some colour light signals, a sign may illuminate when the signal is off displaying 'RA'. What do these intials stand for and what does it mean?

2: Railway signalling systems are designed to maintain a safe time
interval between following trains on the same line. True or False

3: A signal with 2 position light junction indicators to the left of the main signal
and 1 to the right of the main signal:
a) has how many routes available from the main signal?
b) has route indicators in what numeric positions?

4: When would AWS track equipment include a supressor magnet?

5: On signalling plans how would the normal aspect of the signal be shown?

6: In order to report back the position of points, where would you stand?

Results posted this Monday night! Good luck

 

[Hydro]

1. Right Away. Signal to the driver from the platform staff that all duties are complete, doors shut and he can bugger off.

4. Bi directional lines

6. In the 4ft facing the switch tips.

 

[strange6]

That was quick, Hydro!

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Would 3 a) be 4 signalled routes?

 

[Hydro]

Right place, right time. Never sure on the pure signalling questions, signalling isn't my forte.

 

[strange6]

Would 3 a) be 4 signalled routes?

I will reveal all on Monday!

 

[Tomnick]

Go on then ...

1. As noted already, "Right Away".

2. False - a safe distance between trains is maintained.

3. Either 3 or more likely 4 (there might be no 'straight-ahead' route, in the signalling sense, from the signal). Positions are 1, 2 and 4.

4. As answered (correctly, if I'm not mistaken!) already.

5. A double line in the relevant position indicates the normal aspect.

6. As answered (correctly, again!) already.

 

[MrC]

3: A signal with 2 position light junction indicators to the left of the main signal
and 1 to the right of the main signal:
a) has how many routes available from the main signal?
b) has route indicators in what numeric positions?

Got to admit I find mixing position light and junction indicator phrases a bit strange here. Either it'd be a position light signal, or a junction indicator, each meaning something completely different, and both could be associated with a main signal. Presumably you meant to use just junction indicator?

 

[Railsigns]

Got to admit I find mixing position light and junction indicator phrases a bit strange here. Either it'd be a position light signal, or a junction indicator, each meaning something completely different, and both could be associated with a main signal. Presumably you meant to use just junction indicator?

"Position light junction indicator" is perfectly correct terminology.

 

[strange6]

"Position light junction indicator" is perfectly correct terminology.

Thanks for the back-up, Railsigns!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Thanks for the back-up, Railsigns!

Great site by the way! very impressive!

 

[Railsigns]

Thank you!

 

[MrC]

"Position light junction indicator" is perfectly correct terminology.

And having since done a bit more digging I've found a number of references to this. However the current RGS rule book doesn't refer to them as such, and has separate references throughout (eg in S1 and S2) for position-light signals and junction indicators.

For a driver the terms "position-light signal" and "junction indicator" have very different meanings and, as a D.I., I'd never use the terms together as it could cause confusion (and I appreciate others such as signal engineers may treat the terms differently).

Any other traincrew or signallers have any views on this?

 

[Railsigns]

The rail industry's official Glossary of Signalling Terms:

GK/GN0802

 

[Wigan Wanderer]

At the risk of getting embroiled in this I'll add a few comments as a signaller with both position light signals and junction indicators under my control.

I've never heard the term position light junction indicator before, but going by the glossary above it appears to be an official term. I wouldn't use it for the reasons stated by MrC, but I accept it's validity. Don't know why we can't just call them feathers! (not an official term)

The rule book and its definitions seem to have been constantly changing over the past ten years which can sometimes cause confusion. For example. a few years ago they decided to describe a train as being "in rear of" or in "advance of" a signal, but that caused much confusion so it's now "on approach to" or "beyond" a signal.

 

[Tomnick]

"In rear of" and "in advance of" are both long-standing terms that seem to have been used for many years without much confusion!

 

[Wigan Wanderer]

There now, I knew I shouldn't have got involved in someone else's argument. At least it gives you a chance to reply and make your 1000th post!

I can only go from personal experience and what I have been briefed.

 

[Tomnick]

Ah yes, so it will be! I suppose everyone's different, but (as with many things in the Rule Book) I quite happily understood the meanings of "in rear of" and "in advance of", and could use them without having to think about it first - as that's how it's always been. I wonder whether the Plain English Campaign had a finger in that particular pie?

 

[O L Leigh]

"In rear of" and "in advance of" took some getting my head around as a trainee driver. It never made sense to me that something I reached first (saw, an AWS magnet) was "in rear of" the signal when it was the feature I reached first as I drove along. Surely by logic this something that is in advance of the signal?

But I since learned that there is the commonsense way, and then there is the railway.

O L Leigh

 

[strange6]

"In rear of" and "in advance of" took some getting my head around as a trainee driver. It never made sense to me that something I reached first (saw, an AWS magnet) was "in rear of" the signal when it was the feature I reached first as I drove along. Surely by logic this something that is in advance of the signal?

But I since learned that there is the commonsense way, and then there is the railway.

O L Leigh

lol I suppose, as a driver, you would always approach points in the rear of since that's the direction of travel of your train unless of course the points were on a bi-directional line! I always remember it has if you're standing in front of the points and/or signal i.e in advance of them (or further along the track than them)

 

[Broken Viking]

I know that these have all already been answered correctly, but thought I'd throw in my own take on the subject just for laffs...
(With humble apologies to all of those involved in the signalling sections! )

1. On some colour light signals, a sign may illuminate when the signal is off displaying 'RA'. What do these intials stand for and what does it mean?
   RA = "Rapid Accelleration". An indication to the driver that he's authorised to reach speeds in excess of 400mph within sixty seconds of departure.
   .
2. Railway signalling systems are designed to maintain a safe time interval between following trains on the same line. True or False
   False: They normally maintain an excessive time interval between following trains, especially when speeds above 255mph are involved.
   .
3. A signal with 2 position light junction indicators to the left of the main signal and 1 to the right of the main signal:
   • Has how many routes available from the main signal?
     Between two and twelve...Depending on how many shots of vodka have been consumed before booking on (Before being fired and arrested for drunk-in-charge, of course!)
     .
   • Has route indicators in what numeric positions?
     Normally positions A, B and D...Although this may vary if the indicators have been placed to represent physical line layouts. Some may be absent altogether if the local Chavs have been about looking for spares for the disco.
   .
4. When would AWS control equipment include a supressor?
   On any section of line where AWS has shown signs of industrial action or outright revolution.
   .
5. On signalling plans how would the normal aspect of the signal be shown?
   This wouldn't be known until the signal has been installed, commissioned, and operated for a while. Once the normal aspect is known, this may be filled in on the signalling plan with an appropriate coloured felt-tip or wax crayon.
   .
6. In order to report back the position of points, where would you stand?
   Within close proximity to a telephone or other suitable communications device.

Ye know I'm only serious!