What does this button do, seen at P1 Ilkley?

[Bullfield WEst]

What does this Button do, seen at P1 Ilkley?

Platform 1 M TRS

 

[scrapy]

Train ready to start button. Informs the signaller that the train is ready to leave.

 

[pdeaves]

This one is labelled 'TRS', sometimes (often!) they are 'TRTS'. It's the same thing.

 

[LYRobert]

A light will light up saying "DO NOT PRESS THIS BUTTON AGAIN".
If you recognise that you are older than you look!

 

[IndianPacific]

As others have said, this looks like a Train Ready to Start.

These are common at terminus stations and usually used when there are points outside of the station and you want to be sure the signaller signals the right train first.

To illustrate why they're useful, if there are trains on platforms 1 & 2 timetabled to leave within a few minutes of each other using the same line out of the station then the signaller (who can't see the state of the train) would signal the first timetabled train out of the station (say platform 1). However, if that train can't leave on time (say a train fault develops) and the operator now wants to despatch the train on platform 2 first, changing the route means cancelling the route out of platform 1. However, cancelling a route means a phone call to the signaller (probably a couple of mins), and them releasing the route which will take (usually) another 2 minutes on top of that because of timers built in to the signalling system*. You now end up with two delayed trains.

Therefore, using the TR(T)S means the signaller knows the train is good to go (usually pressed just before starting the last bit of the despatch process, so healthy train and crew in place, but probably doors still open) and the route can be set without too much risk of delaying anyone else. They're very handy for the rush hours out of Waterloo. If you watch the live map you'll see TRTS appear next to the platform starters just before each train is due to depart https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/wat#T_WATRLMN

*Cancelling a route normally happens automatically but requires seeing track occupation happen & clear in the right order, when you don't get that you have to wait for the timer in case a the wrong train starts moving just as you send the cancellation.

 

[TB]

As others have said, this looks like a Train Ready to Start.

These are common at terminus stations and usually used when there are points outside of the station and you want to be sure the signaller signals the right train first.

To illustrate why they're useful, if there are trains on platforms 1 & 2 timetabled to leave within a few minutes of each other using the same line out of the station then the signaller (who can't see the state of the train) would signal the first timetabled train out of the station (say platform 1). However, if that train can't leave on time (say a train fault develops) and the operator now wants to despatch the train on platform 2 first, changing the route means cancelling the route out of platform 1. However, cancelling a route means a phone call to the signaller (probably a couple of mins), and them releasing the route which will take (usually) another 2 minutes on top of that because of timers built in to the signalling system*. You now end up with two delayed trains.

Therefore, using the TR(T)S means the signaller knows the train is good to go (usually pressed just before starting the last bit of the despatch process, so healthy train and crew in place, but probably doors still open) and the route can be set without too much risk of delaying anyone else. They're very handy for the rush hours out of Waterloo. If you watch the live map you'll see TRTS appear next to the platform starters just before each train is due to depart https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/wat#T_WATRLMN

*Cancelling a route normally happens automatically but requires seeing track occupation happen & clear in the right order, when you don't get that you have to wait for the timer in case a the wrong train starts moving just as you send the cancellation.

IIRC, Ilkley has 2 of these on each platform, which i think is so that, on occasions where there is 2 units on the same platform, the conductor doesn't have to walk all the way to the buffer stop end to press it (and maybe so the signaller knows which unit is ready?).

 

[skyhigh]

(and maybe so the signaller knows which unit is ready?).

Signaller doesn't care which unit is ready first. It's not like the one on the blocks can overtake the unit in front anyway!

 

[zwk500]

IIRC, Ilkley has 2 of these on each platform, which i think is so that, on occasions where there is 2 units on the same platform, the conductor doesn't have to walk all the way to the buffer stop end to press it (and maybe so the signaller knows which unit is ready?).

It'll be to save the walk - only the front unit(s) are going to depart! Avoiding the walk is important for safety purposes as well as timekeeping, as it means there are less opportunities for somebody to rush past the despatcher as they are heading for the TRTS.

IIRC the normal rule at termini is for the TRTS to be pressed 2 minutes prior to departure. As others have said, this will indicate to the signaller that the route can be set, and the despatch procedure can only be completed once a proceed aspect is displayed, so it is important to let the signaller know the platform staff are ready for the final despatch in good time. TRTS plungers (or something conceptually similar) are also sometimes provided at sidings to allow drivers to indicate they're ready to depart promptly, which saves them ringing up every time.

 

[MarkyT]

It'll be to save the walk - only the front unit(s) are going to depart! Avoiding the walk is important for safety purposes as well as timekeeping, as it means there are less opportunities for somebody to rush past the despatcher as they are heading for the TRTS.

IIRC the normal rule at termini is for the TRTS to be pressed 2 minutes prior to departure. As others have said, this will indicate to the signaller that the route can be set, and the despatch procedure can only be completed once a proceed aspect is displayed, so it is important to let the signaller know the platform staff are ready for the final despatch in good time. TRTS plungers (or something conceptually similar) are also sometimes provided at sidings to allow drivers to indicate they're ready to depart promptly, which saves them ringing up every time.

And in the case of areas equipped with computerised ARS, TRTS button activation initiates the Automatic Route Setting process if that train is in the timetable. The time delay imposed on releasing the forward route locking after a signal is unexpectedly cancelled by a signaller is part of an interlocking safety feature known as 'approach locking'. Where trains can approach a signal at speed, the delay is calculated based on layout and traffic characteristics and can be as high as four minutes. At dead-end termini and siding exits where trains must always start from rest, it's typically a standard 60 seconds. Some forms of approach locking check whether there is a train at or approaching the signal at time of cancelling, and if it would see a change of aspect at a preceding signal. If there is no train, the forward route locking will disengage immediately in the 'comprehensive' variant. In the more basic 'when operated' variant, the delay will occur whether there is a train present or not.

 

[Bullfield WEst]

Thanks all.

 

[Trackman]

A light will light up saying "DO NOT PRESS THIS BUTTON AGAIN".
If you recognise that you are older than you look!

lol and all that.
Was that aboard the Vogan ship?
--
Going back the TRTS as the query has been resolved, there is (or was) a thing like Tracksy that actually showed when TRTS was pressed.

 

[swt_passenger]

lol and all that.
Was that aboard the Vogan ship?
--
Going back the TRTS as the query has been resolved, there is (or was) a thing like Tracksy that actually showed when TRTS was pressed.

They also appear on many opentraintimes signalling maps, (as in the example for Waterloo linked in post #5).

 

[zuriblue]

lol and all that.
Was that aboard the Vogan ship?
--
Going back the TRTS as the query has been resolved, there is (or was) a thing like Tracksy that actually showed when TRTS was pressed.

No, IIRC it was on the Heart of Gold

 

[Pigeon]

The reference is to the Heart of Gold, but the actual question comes from the last thing they heard over the radio from the Space Shuttle.

 

[snowball]

The reference is to the Heart of Gold, but the actual question comes from the last thing they heard over the radio from the Space Shuttle.

Seems unlikely given that the first series of Hitchhiker was broadcast in 1978 and the first orbital test flight of the space shuttle was in 1981, and the two disasters were in 1986 and 2003.

 

[Annetts key]

IIRC, Ilkley has 2 of these on each platform, which i think is so that, on occasions where there is 2 units on the same platform, the conductor doesn't have to walk all the way to the buffer stop end to press it (and maybe so the signaller knows which unit is ready?).

No. Regardless of how many TRTS / TRS buttons there are on a platform (I’ve seen three), there is normally only one indication per platform for termini. For through platforms, one per direction per platform.


=====================================================


“Arthur Dent: What happens if I press this button?
Ford Prefect: I wouldn't-
Arthur Dent: Oh.
Ford Prefect: What happened?
Arthur Dent: A sign lit up, saying 'Please do not press this button again.”


― Douglas Adams, The Original Hitchhiker Radio Scripts

Of course, in real life, pressing the “wrong” button could get you into far more trouble… (please don’t ask about the time a technician brought an entire railway junction to a halt when they inadvertently operated a switch….)

 

[Rescars]

Thanks all.

Am I correct that sometimes there are (or were) RA buttons alongside TRTS buttons, for platform staff to give a Right Away instruction to the driver. Do these still exist?

 

[LYRobert]

No. Regardless of how many TRTS / TRS buttons there are on a platform (I’ve seen three), there is normally only one indication per platform for termini. For through platforms, one per direction per platform.


=====================================================


“Arthur Dent: What happens if I press this button?
Ford Prefect: I wouldn't-
Arthur Dent: Oh.
Ford Prefect: What happened?
Arthur Dent: A sign lit up, saying 'Please do not press this button again.”


― Douglas Adams, The Original Hitchhiker Radio Scripts

Of course, in real life, pressing the “wrong” button could get you into far more trouble… (please don’t ask about the time a technician brought an entire railway junction to a halt when they inadvertently operated a switch….)

Go on, tell us!

 

[skyhigh]

Am I correct that sometimes there are (or were) RA buttons alongside TRTS buttons, for platform staff to give a Right Away instruction to the driver. Do these still exist?

Yes, in certain places but not everywhere. There's no need at places like Ilkley where all trains are dispatched by the guard alone.

 

[Britannia94]

Am I correct that sometimes there are (or were) RA buttons alongside TRTS buttons, for platform staff to give a Right Away instruction to the driver. Do these still exist?

Place that springs to mind for this is York. They have a TRTS and RA button side by side, noticed them a few times when I've past through.

 

[Crossover]

Therefore, using the TR(T)S means the signaller knows the train is good to go (usually pressed just before starting the last bit of the despatch process, so healthy train and crew in place, but probably doors still open) and the route can be set without too much risk of delaying anyone else.

Doors would 100% be unlocked at this point - locking up against a red is very much frowned upon!

Am I correct that sometimes there are (or were) RA buttons alongside TRTS buttons, for platform staff to give a Right Away instruction to the driver. Do these still exist?

Most of the WCML stations will have them I think (possibly alongside CD - Close Doors) as Avanti are all despatched this way under normal working

 

[L401CJF]

Manchester Airport still has RA switches (key operated) on the TRTS panels although no operator uses RA dispatch there now. Guard will press TRTS 2 minutes before scheduled departure.

Wrexham General has TRTS on platform 1 which the guard pressed once the doors have opened, the signaller then sets the crossing.

 

[MrB]

Am I correct that sometimes there are (or were) RA buttons alongside TRTS buttons, for platform staff to give a Right Away instruction to the driver. Do these still exist?

Yes London Bridge has key switches for RA/CD on a panel with TRTS