SPAD Signal

[me123]

Going into Glasgow today, I noticed a signal that was definately different. At Bellgrove station, there was a blue signal located just after the platform 2 starter signal. It had "SPAD Signal" (or words to that extent) written on it. It had 3 aspects, but all were blank.

I was hoping that someone could explain this to me? I know SPAD means "Signal Passed At Danger" (I hope...), but I can't really see the point of the signal TBH, let alone why it has any point :???:

 

[Tomnick]

If a driver were to pass the signal in question (the platform starter) at danger, he'd be faced with an illuminated SPAD-I (two flashing red lights either side of the central steady red light) and an AWS warning - which would be a strong hint for him (and any trains approaching on other lines within sight of the SPAD-I) to stop immediately. Maybe not so relevant with TPWS, but a handy feature nonetheless!

 

[me123]

Hmm... Thanks very much. Given the single-lead junction to Springburn just past the signal, I can really see the relevence of this! (I remember a couple of 303s colliding there...)

Ta muchly. You'll be rewarded in the next life :razz:

 

[ChrisCooper]

They tend to be provided at high risk locations where a SPAD would likely lead to a head on collision, such as at the enterance to single line sections. They are nearly always (possibly always, all the ones I know of are) provided for station starting signals to guard against "ding-ding and away" SPADs where a driver recieving a starting signal from the guard moves off against a red signal (although in at least one incident it's happened with an OPO train). Bellgrove was one of these, although I think it was Cowden, where two Thumpers collided on the Uckfield line, that brought about SPAD indicators. They are now obselete with the fitting of TPWS at all the signals that have SPAD indicators associated with them, and by the time the SPAD indicator has lit the TPWS should already have applied the brakes. I don't think they are fitted at any new locations, but will probably remain at current locations until resignalling (which could be some time, since many of the locations that have them are fairly recent resignallings). Then again, the railways often go for overkill on safety or as they call it "belt and braces" (although in many cases it's belt and braces, on trousers with elasticated waists, and with each method duplicated for backup, and being unable to leave the house if all arn't in full working order).

 

[1D53]

Both Leeds and Shipley have recieved them in the last couple of years despite TPWS being present at the time. The ones at Leeds are not linked to station starters, they are at the second or third signals you come to dependant on which platform you leave from.

 

[driver9000]

I dont think SPAD indicators will be removed from the locations they are fitted - they were put there for a purpose and what if the train concerned has its TPWS isolated? They arent fitted everywhere - we dont have a single one on any of the routes I drive over. The only ones I can remember seeing are at Leeds and there is one as you leave the Morecambe line onto the WCML. The rulebook states that if you see ANY SPAD indicator illuminate you must bring your train to an immediate stand - this is incase a train has not been stopped and is heading for a collision course with your train.

 

[O L Leigh]

The thing that a SPAD-I does that TPWS doesn't is to warn trains on converging lines or at the far end of a single-line section that a SPAD has happened which could result in a collision. For example, there are SPAD-I's at both ends of the Stansted Airport Tunnel and on all converging lines on the Coppermill and Clapton Junctions. If a train SPAD's any of the associated signals, it not only sets off the SPAD-I on that line but the SPAD-I's on all the other converging lines. A driver on the converging line may be running on greens so would not get a TPWS intervention, but if there is a flashing SPAD-I he/she is required to stop immediately because his/her train is in danger of colliding with the SPAD-ing train.

one TN

 

[Kneedown]

There's one at Newark flat crossing, coming from Newark Castle direction.
Never seen one light up personally..........Which is good! :razz:

 

[me123]

Ahh, so it's not just for the oncoming train... Fantasic; makes a lot more sense now

 

[Up Carriage Liner]

I believe there's also one (or more) of these at Reading. They are fitted at Leeds because of the hazards associated with the triangle of tracks to the south-west (?) of the station.

The most recent postings are correct to say that if the SPAD signal lights then it means that a SPAD has occured in the locality (not necessarily triggered by the train that sees it), that the driver should stop and immediately contact the signaller. Full details in rule book module S1 Signals and indicators.

See
http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/docushare/dsweb/Get/Rail-41346/S1.pdf
section 4.5, page 33

 

[Snapper]

Here's a couple of examples:

http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p36630625.html

http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p36630620.html

 

[D306]

or if you have the uckfield thumper drivers eye view, you'll see a few on there

 

[Guinness]

Another example would be at the Northern Crossover on the Up Line at Cheadle Hulme as there is a high risk of collision due to the location of Down Trains entering the area of the Colwich Line.

 

[ah-media]

Signal L100 is at the far end of platform 6 at London Bridge (or the concourse end). That is a SPAD signal. The main signal is about 20 yards further east.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

The Newark one is on the Down Main north of the station, but before the flat crossing. I believe it is to warn Northbound drivers if a train comming from the left has had a SPAD, to try and avoid a collision on the crossing. There isnt one heading south as there is a connecting curve, so if the road is set for the ECML the other line is set to the curve round to the back of the station.

 

[Tomnick]

Go on, where's the logic in that one then? Surely a train on the Down Midland (i.e. from Newark Castle) SPAD-ing the protecting signal and running onto the flat crossing would be as much in conflict with a train on the Up Main as with one on the Down Main?

 

[driver9000]

SPAD indicators only apply to the signal they are in advance of (beyond), Ive never heard of them applying to another line. Im not familiar with the flat crossing at Newark but if a train SPADs it sets an alarm off in the signal box and the the display shows which signal has been passed. If the train doesnt stop the signalman can get an emergency broadcast sent over the NRN/CSR or if possible can return surrounding signals to danger himself.

 

[O L Leigh]

SPAD indicators only apply to the signal they are in advance of (beyond), Ive never heard of them applying to another line.

I can confirm that they do.

SPAD the signal protecting the converging junction at Clapton from either direction and you will set off both the SPAD-I's.

one TN

 

[driver9000]

I can confirm that they do.

SPAD the signal protecting the converging junction at Clapton from either direction and you will set off both the SPAD-I's.

one TN

You learn something new every day! Thanks for clearing that one up, they omited that from our rules training!!

 

[Juniper Driver]

Wimbledon Up Road (Fast and Slow) and Clapham round the up loop (Plat 7) has SPAD signals.Before TPWS they wern't protected by TPWS as well although they are now.I remember setting off the SPAD signal at Clapham when someone pulled the cord just as I was leaving the platform.Had to get the signalmans permission to proceed after telling him what had occurred..Probably the only time I have ever seen one go off (Except in briefing videos).Hopefully it will stay like that.

 

[Muttley]

You learn something new every day! Thanks for clearing that one up, they omited that from our rules training!!

Please don`t see this as a personal pop D9000, but that is a glaring omission from the rule book.

Would it be fair to say there are no SPAD indicators in your region ?

 

[driver9000]

Please don`t see this as a personal pop D9000, but that is a glaring omission from the rule book.

Would it be fair to say there are no SPAD indicators in your region ?

There are no SPAD indicators on the routes I sign, routes in the other link have them but very few and far between. Rulebook S1 covers the topic on a single page and the way it was taught to us was that it applied to the signal it was placed in advance of, as I wasnt signing routes with SPAD-Is my part C inspector didnt delve too deeply.

Im always prepared to learn things from people who have more experience than myself.

Nothing personal taken

 

[O L Leigh]

The Rules simply state that you must stop if you see an active SPAD-I you must stop immediately and contact the signaller, even if it applies to a signal on another line. That is all that a driver really needs to know. That SPAD-I's can operate in groups of two or above is more than we need to know in order to do our jobs.

one TN