Tail Lights On

[Minilad]

Really? I've not heard of that. Can save so much needless delay.

Yep really. We can't answer whilst the train is moving.
We are not even allowed to answer the Cab to Cab or staff call function.
I don't agree with it. But that's how it is

 

[83G/84D]

I think mobile phones cannot be answered on the move,although I suppose emergency or urgent GSM-R calls can be answered immediately?
I suppose the driver can tell the difference between a stand and urgent/emergency GSM-R call?

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Do GSM-R radios have a speaker phone mode that signalers can use when contacting the driver of a train?

 

[RichardN]

Will trains have the lights the wrong way round when shunting over a short distance, eg reversing into sidings at a terminus?

I suspect the Strood example was likely a shunt to swap platforms. No reason for an 8 coach networker to go via Cuxton as there is no stabling down there.

 

[Carntyne]

Do GSM-R radios have a speaker phone mode that signalers can use when contacting the driver of a train?

I'm 99% sure it does, It's not something the signaller can 'switch' though. I believe some calls to train will answer automatically when the sig calls.

 

[ComUtoR]

I saw this today at Strood. There was an 8 car class 465 on platform 1, which departed towards Cuxton with white lights on the rear and red at the front! It was however out of service.

It is totally within the rules and that is a regular booked move.

Doesn't really make a difference, it's still a danger to track workers even if out of service.

Yes it does make a difference. There is little danger to track workers

 

[najaB]

Yes it does make a difference. There is little danger to track workers

It wasn't clear from TailLight 's post that it was a short move - it was described as departing Strood heading towards Cuxton.

 

[Kernow Dave]

Is there any significance of the headlights now, as oposed to steam headcodes? It does seem strange to me that some units have "sidelights and headlights" but only show one headlight.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

All current LUL passenger stock has this feature; A Stock was the last to have manual setting of head/tail lights. 1992 stock is a slight exception in that it continues to show headlights when the key is removed until the cab at the other end is opened up.

Is that the Central Line only stock or does it include the former BR heavily modified Drain stock too?

 

[swt_passenger]

Is there any significance of the headlights now, as oposed to steam headcodes? It does seem strange to me that some units have "sidelights and headlights" but only show one headlight.

The significance is that one headlight is set up for daytime, and the other for night. The opposite side to the headlight in use should have a marker light visible. On recent stock there is also an upper marker light.

So on new stock you should normally see a triangle of white lights, although the upper and 'other side' marker will not really be visible at a long distance, as they'll not be significant brightness compared to whichever headlight is in use.

 

[Kernow Dave]

The significance is that one headlight is set up for daytime, and the other for night. The opposite side to the headlight in use should have a marker light visible. On recent stock there is also an upper marker light.

So on new stock you should normally see a triangle of white lights, although the upper and 'other side' marker will not really be visible at a long distance, as they'll not be significant brightness compared to whichever headlight is in use.

Thank you for the information it now makes sense.

 

[cornishjohn]

Was it in the rule book that displaying red lights on the front was a danger signal to trains passing the other way, or have I got that wrong?

I believe I saw this in action on NR metals a few years ago.

While I was waiting at my usual station for the up express, the down stopper appeared in the distance. After a few seconds I thought there was something "odd" about its appearance. Then my train arrived so I boarded, crossed the vestibule and looked out of the window. The stopper drew up to the signal box, and the driver started talking to the signalman. Shortly afterwards the signals for our train were reset to danger. At this point I realised the stopper had its red lights leading. "Our" driver left his cab and joined the conversation. The stopper left, and the conversation continued. Then our driver got back in his cab. As far as I recall, the home (? probably; slightly unusual station layout) signal was then pulled off, but the starter certainly was not. After a short delay the signalman shouted something at the driver. The driver shouted back (in a friendly manner) "I thought you were going to ..." (exact words not caught). The signalman ducked back into the box, reappeared and held out a red flag and called words to the effect of "Happy now?" and away we went, slowly up the line and on past the starter at danger.

While paying for my ticket when the guard came round, I asked if she knew what the problem was. Apparently a cow had been seen on or near the line and we were cautioned past the area. After reaching the next section we accelerated up to usual speed.

 

[carriageline]

Yep really. We can't answer whilst the train is moving.

We are not even allowed to answer the Cab to Cab or staff call function.

I don't agree with it. But that's how it is

Really?!

We are told we cannot call you when approaching a red, station stop etc, but never whilst the train is in motion.

I always just sent a contact signaller anyway, if the driver wants to stop and ring that's fine.

 

[455driver]

I believe XC are one of the TOCs where the driver is not allowed to answer any of the on board systems (except in an emergency) without bringing the train to a stand first.

All very silly if you ask me!

 

[dk1]

Yep really. We can't answer whilst the train is moving.
We are not even allowed to answer the Cab to Cab or staff call function.
I don't agree with it. But that's how it is

We would never be able to run the East Suffolk line. Signaller makes regular calls to ask our location due to the many farm crossings. No cab to cab, gosh, need that to find out if the guard wants tea or coffee or vice versa

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Usually for us it's a quick single flick of the headlights to attract your attention and the driver going the other way tapping the top of their head with the palm of their hand.

It usually works 99% of the time. I've done a complete trip with Whites on rear & Reds on the front, the odd part is no one told me including the siggy!

 

[arabianights]

I believe XC are one of the TOCs where the driver is not allowed to answer any of the on board systems (except in an emergency) without bringing the train to a stand first.

All very silly if you ask me!

How is the driver supposed to know if there's an emergency if he can't answer it?

 

[father_jack]

It also depends if the train is being filmed for a documentary, and the video run backwards.

Would never happen to everyone's favourite TOC on Channel 5...............

 

[Peter Mugridge]

How is the driver supposed to know if there's an emergency if he can't answer it?

There is a certain logic to that.... A bit like our IT at work; had a message pop up on the screen to prompt me to sign up to the self help centre as "I will need it if I forget my password".

Ummmm......


Similarly, I am told that with Sky when your internet goes down and you phone, you get an automated service
press one for broadband
*press*
"if you are having problems connecting to the internet, please visit our helpful website at www........."
*smacks head*


So it seems to be a fairly common thought process going on...

 

[tsr]

We would never be able to run the East Suffolk line. Signaller makes regular calls to ask our location due to the many farm crossings. No cab to cab, gosh, need that to find out if the guard wants tea or coffee or vice versa

Quite! I've had "guard contact driver" to sort out coffee arrangements on more than one occasion. Also for staff taxi bookings and to discuss exactly how empty the train is. That sort of thing is very, very rarely initiated by me though. It's pretty much up to the driver if they are having a quiet moment and can manage the workload.

Basically, if the driver feels able to, I can and am allowed to talk to them at any time, and that includes whether I am working on the train or travelling as a passenger (ie. "booked pass") on official duties. If they say back "gimme a moment" or don't answer, I will ring them at the next stop or when next running on clear signals. In fact, I reckon my local routes would grind to a halt if we didn't have cab-to-cab and signaller comms on the move, as it's so busy that stopping every time there's a GSM-R call or a passcom goes off would ruin the service.

 

[455driver]

How is the driver supposed to know if there's an emergency if he can't answer it?

Passcom!

 

[dk1]

Some TOCs appear draconian to say the least. Goodness knows which ones they are & why. They must trust their drivers very little when it comes to multi-tasking. Perhaps it's that age old male thing :roll:

 

[Kentish Paul]

Some TOCs appear draconian to say the least. Goodness knows which ones they are & why. They must trust their drivers very little when it comes to multi-tasking. Perhaps it's that age old male thing :roll:

Quite agree. On more than one occasion I have heard "can the guard contact the driver". This has been at linespeed and the guard (conductor/manager) who happens to be in my carriage at he time replies straight away "hello mate whats up?" Oviously didn't hear the drivers reply but the guard replies "ok".

I cannot see the problem of such a conversation compared to when there were two men in the cab discussing who knows what.

 

[Minilad]

I work for a TOC with this instruction in place. I think it's best I don't go into it on here as walls have ears and suchlike. But trust me when I say no driver I have spoke to thinks it is a good thing. But rules are rules and we have to abide by them

 

[SPADTrap]

I work for a TOC with this instruction in place. I think it's best I don't go into it on here as walls have ears and suchlike. But trust me when I say no driver I have spoke to thinks it is a good thing. But rules are rules and we have to abide by them

I suppose if you have to stop as per company policy then so be it, if that causes delays then again so be it. Not worth getting worked up about if that's how they want it then that's that! When it works for them that is! :razz:

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Would never happen to everyone's favourite TOC on Channel 5...............

Well bearing in mind the North Western Railway on the Island of Sodor runs steam engines, I hardly think their being Channel 5's favourite TOC has anything to do with it

 

[Skoodle]

It's all getting connected and high-tech now. I once made a mistake of forgetting to change the tail lights from Marker lights only to Auto, (train had been berthed the previous night at buffers with white lights). Get to destination, change ends then pull leave. Alarm flashed up after pulling out and thought oh bugger! First stop was only about 1 minute away, yet before I had pulled in I had a "contact signaller" message on GSM-R. "Hello driver, control just wanted me to tell you your marker lights are still on in rear of your unit"

Big Brother is always watching, of course our units send faults to maintenance desk who sit next to control!

 

[MrPIC]

PM read =D

 

[ComUtoR]

PM sent

 

[HarleyDavidson]

I can just imagine the turmoil if our lot issued to the diktat that we must stop the train before answering or using the GSM-R!

All they ask is the common sense approach and that's not to use/answer it whilst stopping at a station or approaching a red.