Track/Signalling Failures

[Brush 4]

Are there any reference websites or publications that record instances of signalling problems/track circuit/point failures available anywhere? They seem more prevalent now than they were but, that may be a false impression but, only official stats going back at least to the 70's or 60's can prove or disprove this.

Also, how many signalling failures are there nowadays on those lines still under semaphores? It seems as if it is the latest digital systems that fail the most but again, only the official stats will settle that one.

 

[ComUtoR]

It's the rise of social media, higher reporting standards, and transparency that gives that impression. The slightest delay on the trains and it starts a tweetstorm. Not only are you updated in realtime; you can check the entire days service at the click of an app.

 

[Stampy]

Speaking of track circuit failures...

I remember watching a YouTube video a year or so back on TC failures on the Southern region (they had either VC/VS plates on the signals) and showed 2 "failures" - one was a signal "flipping" between all aspects, can't remember the other fault - nor can I find the said video??

 

[pompeyfan]

Semaphores have their own issues, 1 particular signal at Yeovil PM has ongoing issues with it, usually not replacing to the ON position after it’s been passed.

 

[civ-eng-jim]

A very quick search brings up stats for CP4.

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/db7634db-1359-4fe6-9815-b92fca9c7648

Shows, on the whole, failures dropping. Points failures halved in a control period.

The office of rail and road will be your best bet for publicly available stats.

 

[coppercapped]

An article in the current (January 2019) edition of Modern Railways (Leading Article, page 3) claims that the number of rail breaks per year are now only 10% of the annual rate seen just before the Hatfield crash in 2000.

 

[DarloRich]

An article in the current (January 2019) edition of Modern Railways (Leading Article, page 3) claims that the number of rail breaks per year are now only 10% of the annual rate seen just before the Hatfield crash in 2000.

In part becuase ot much better grinding and milling of the rail as part of a preventative programme

 

[Mag_seven]

tweetstorm

Is that one of those new words that will eventually find its way into the OED?

 

[LAX54]

A very quick search brings up stats for CP4.

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/db7634db-1359-4fe6-9815-b92fca9c7648

Shows, on the whole, failures dropping. Points failures halved in a control period.

The office of rail and road will be your best bet for publicly available stats.

Remote monitoring by fault control, can give the early warning of a looming points failure, (if fitted with the required gizmo), so S&T can get there and fix before they fail

 

[Belperpete]

Are there any reference websites or publications that record instances of signalling problems/track circuit/point failures available anywhere? They seem more prevalent now than they were but, that may be a false impression but, only official stats going back at least to the 70's or 60's can prove or disprove this.

I doubt that stats were kept in the same kind of way back in the 60s or 70s - there was no need to. It is only since privatisation and current performance regimes that stats have become so important.

 

[Boodiggy]

In part becuase ot much better grinding and milling of the rail as part of a preventative programme

There is also much better ultrasonic testing, which is improving further with the intro of eddy current.

 

[DarloRich]

There is also much better ultrasonic testing, which is improving further with the intro of eddy current.

Indeed. I didn't mention it as it might be a bit technical for many here. Bit technical for me tbh. I just buy the stuff lol

 

[Boodiggy]

Indeed. I didn't mention it as it might be a bit technical for many here. Bit technical for me tbh. I just buy the stuff lol

Agreed - never easy to gauge how technical to go!
Haha.