Train Ready To Start procedures

[GordonT]

Is there a designated maximum time in advance of departure time that relevant platform staff can press the TRTS button at stations where a TRTS button system is in operation? Also if for some unexpected reason something occurs after the button has been pressed which means that the train is no longer ready to start will this invariably require some form of communication from platform staff to signal staff? I don't have any concerns or examples to highlight regarding this, merely curious.

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

The normal guideline at TOCs I have worked for is to press the TRTS 2 minutes before scheduled departure.
And yes, you are correct; if anything happens to prevent departure after the TRTS has been operated either the platform staff or the train crew will contact the signaller, advise them of the issue and request the signal to be put back to red.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Also if for some unexpected reason something occurs after the button has been pressed which means that the train is no longer ready to start will this invariably require some form of communication from platform staff to signal staff? I don't have any concerns or examples to highlight regarding this, merely curious.

Yes, certainly once the signal is off, if it becomes apparent that the train is no longer ready to depart for whatever reason, platform staff will contact the signaller who may then "put the signal back".

 

[Tractor37]

On the counties I drive through from the midlands northwards. It is the driver who requests the signal to be placed back to danger not platform staff.

 

[AMD]

It is the driver who requests the signal to be placed back to danger not platform staff.

Depends. There was an incident in my neck of the woods recently when someone forgot to check that there was a driver before pressing the TRTS......

 

[Surreytraveller]

Yes, certainly once the signal is off, if it becomes apparent that the train is no longer ready to depart for whatever reason, platform staff will contact the signaller who may then "put the signal back".

The only time the platform staff will contact the signaller to have the signal replaced is when they have incorrectly TRTSd a train when there is no driver present.
Otherwise, it is the driver who requests the signal to be replaced.
To do otherwise risks a SPaD, as the driver could take power at the same time as the platform staff are on the phone to the signaller.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

The only time the platform staff will contact the signaller to have the signal replaced is when they have incorrectly TRTSd a train when there is no driver present.
Otherwise, it is the driver who requests the signal to be replaced.
To do otherwise risks a SPaD, as the driver could take power at the same time as the platform staff are on the phone to the signaller.

Not necessarily. Often if there's an issue that needs resolving as stations I work through, it will be station staff who contact the signaller as there is zero chance of a SPaD given they wouldn't have interlock or 2 on the bell buzzer from the SC!

The only time IME the driver does it, is at unstaffed stations or self dispatched station. Something I've had to do at Milton Keynes Central for instance

 

[TrainzBK]

The only time the platform staff will contact the signaller to have the signal replaced is when they have incorrectly TRTSd a train when there is no driver present.
Otherwise, it is the driver who requests the signal to be replaced.
To do otherwise risks a SPaD, as the driver could take power at the same time as the platform staff are on the phone to the signaller.

Some stations have contact with the signaller via handheld radio, in most instances the platform staff will request the signal to be put back as long as the signaller is told that the driver is aware. In instances where the driver directly contacts the signaller to get the signal put back the signaller will radio to inform the platform staff that the signal will be put back.