Hi all, one for the drivers here or at least people with knowledge of the Rule Book! Just something that popped into my head while I was pondering life this afternoon....
About 8 years ago on a journey from Birmingham to Chesterfield, we came to a stop between Derby and Chesterfield due to a fatality at Clay Cross. After about 20-30 minutes wait, the TM announced that we’d be turning around and going back to Derby (apparently due to it “being better to go somewhere where there are facilities”, although more accurately because the line was blocked both ways and the set was being used to restart an also-blocked southbound service from Derby.)
We then advanced forward to Ambergate Junction at slow speed, turned off the main line towards Matlock for a short distance, then reversed and went back to Derby on the correct line (so no wrong-line running.)
My question is - just out of keen interest - what are the rules on being allowed to do this? I imagine CrossCountry drivers don’t sign Ambergate to Matlock, so is there some rule about being allowed to use a short-section of un-signed line to permit reversals? If so, is it allowed virtually anywhere, or only at certain designated junctions or is it a blanket rule for anywhere subject to agreement between driver / signaller / TOC control etc; and are there limits on the distance that can be travelled (eg just enough to clear the junction signal) and speed (eg max 10mph) on an un-signed section?
By way of example, if it had happened further north (north of Dore, for example) and the train had already passed Tapton, would it be allowed to use the Dore South Curve to reverse and travel back south in the same manner, or is it possible that Ambergate has an approval to do this but (for example, hypothetically) Dore doesn’t?
Sorry it’s long-winded and hope it’s understandable!
About 8 years ago on a journey from Birmingham to Chesterfield, we came to a stop between Derby and Chesterfield due to a fatality at Clay Cross. After about 20-30 minutes wait, the TM announced that we’d be turning around and going back to Derby (apparently due to it “being better to go somewhere where there are facilities”, although more accurately because the line was blocked both ways and the set was being used to restart an also-blocked southbound service from Derby.)
We then advanced forward to Ambergate Junction at slow speed, turned off the main line towards Matlock for a short distance, then reversed and went back to Derby on the correct line (so no wrong-line running.)
My question is - just out of keen interest - what are the rules on being allowed to do this? I imagine CrossCountry drivers don’t sign Ambergate to Matlock, so is there some rule about being allowed to use a short-section of un-signed line to permit reversals? If so, is it allowed virtually anywhere, or only at certain designated junctions or is it a blanket rule for anywhere subject to agreement between driver / signaller / TOC control etc; and are there limits on the distance that can be travelled (eg just enough to clear the junction signal) and speed (eg max 10mph) on an un-signed section?
By way of example, if it had happened further north (north of Dore, for example) and the train had already passed Tapton, would it be allowed to use the Dore South Curve to reverse and travel back south in the same manner, or is it possible that Ambergate has an approval to do this but (for example, hypothetically) Dore doesn’t?
Sorry it’s long-winded and hope it’s understandable!