Train departing station without headlights lit

[Crossover]

Though if the loco/stock has combined marker and tail lights then obviously you can’t do that - you’d get a pink light.

It can be done - I have seen trains before (not moving) displaying tails/markers simultaneously

 

[greatkingrat]

Indeed, it is a rulebook requirement to report it (Module G1, Section 2), it is not optional.

Danger to trains
Whenever you can, you must check a moving train for anything that looks unsafe such as:
• a door not closed properly
• an insecure load
• a vehicle on fire
• a hot axle box
• the headlight not lit
• the tail lamp missing or not lit
• the driver sounding the train in distress warning (which is a continuous series of long blasts on the high/loud tone of the horn)
• the driver or guard displaying a red handsignal
• the hazard warning indicator (flashing headlights).
If you become aware of any of these hazards or warnings or other dangers, you must immediately tell the signaller, or if this is not possible, the person in charge.

 

[Warwick]

Very true though I doubt many non-staff would be too sure exactly how to go about using a SPT no matter how routine it may seem to staff.

You need training to use a direct line telephone?
God's teeth!

 

[Dieseldriver]

I wouldn't encourage members of the public to use SPTs etc. However, if there was something you considered could be a danger (missing tail lamp, no headlights etc) then I would encourage them to tell a member of platform staff who can then decide on the best course of action. A train proceedings at linespeed with no headlights has the potential to create an unsafe situation, particularly with Pway on the line or people using foot crossings etc.

 

[edwin_m]

Indeed, it is a rulebook requirement to report it (Module G1, Section 2), it is not optional.

Danger to trains
Whenever you can, you must check a moving train for anything that looks unsafe such as:
• a door not closed properly
• an insecure load
• a vehicle on fire
• a hot axle box
• the headlight not lit
• the tail lamp missing or not lit
• the driver sounding the train in distress warning (which is a continuous series of long blasts on the high/loud tone of the horn)
• the driver or guard displaying a red handsignal
• the hazard warning indicator (flashing headlights).
If you become aware of any of these hazards or warnings or other dangers, you must immediately tell the signaller, or if this is not possible, the person in charge.

I remember thinking that was an excellent excuse to sit looking out of the office window all day at the passing trains.

 

[BucksBones]

I could have sworn I saw an electrostar with headlights at both ends the other day; as it was approaching I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary and as it went passed the headlights were clearly on at the rear. Is that even possible or did I just miss tail lights being mistakenly left on at the front?

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

You need training to use a direct line telephone?
God's teeth!

The mechanical operation of said device is a cinch. The communication protocol is something else however. Not understanding this could lead to confusion quite easily. Safety Critical Communication is an important part of training for front-line staff. But if you have any experience in say amateur radio then you would quickly grasp what is required.

 

[LAX54]

What are the 'obvious reasons'?


You've reported it (unnecessarily in my opinion) to station staff who will have reported it to control and has no doubt been entered in the control log, so everyone in the TOC system will have access to the details of the train and crew.

Why unnecessarily ? Its nothing that unusual, Stn Staff will simply call the Siggie, and he will tell the Driver via GSM-R, all sorted in a minute or so

 

[GB]

The mechanical operation of said device is a cinch. The communication protocol is something else however. Not understanding this could lead to confusion quite easily. Safety Critical Communication is an important part of training for front-line staff. But if you have any experience in say amateur radio then you would quickly grasp what is required.

SCC protocol is obviously not a requirement of the public, and I’d like to think signallers are professional and experienced enough to weed out the information they need. Really is no different than someone phoning the emergency services for the first time.

 

[whhistle]

I saw the obvious reasons as me not knowing what the potential implications were for those concerned and therefore it being sensible not to divulge more information than necessary, the same as most would do for other situations

It's because you've elliuded to the information. And by saying "won't include details..." you're drawing even more attention to the specifics, which in a railway environment is almost second nature to supply.

If you'd posed your question as a "generic" question, rather than reflecting on a personal experience, some the responses would have been different.

 

[Sunset route]

The mechanical operation of said device is a cinch. The communication protocol is something else however. Not understanding this could lead to confusion quite easily. Safety Critical Communication is an important part of training for front-line staff. But if you have any experience in say amateur radio then you would quickly grasp what is required.

It would be no different to a member of public ringing to use a user worked crossing, in fact it would probably be less critical, but in any case the signaller will use their training to exract the information required. We often had members of public ringing from an SPT when the scheduled train was really late to enquire about it. They weren’t encouraged to use it but neither were we in a position to prevent its use.