When you need RA

[Peter Knox]

I am in training and getting confused about when you need an RA for dispatch at stations that self dispatch and stations that don’t. Can anyone shed light?

 

[Ashley Hill]

Which role are you training for?

 

[Peter Knox]

Which role are you training for?

Driver

 

[ValleyLines142]

I am in training and getting confused about when you need an RA for dispatch at stations that self dispatch and stations that don’t. Can anyone shed light?

If you're at a staffed station, with dispatch staff, then a dispatcher will press the RA and that essentially confirms that the platform is clear and that you have permission to depart once you have a proceed aspect given.

If you're at a station where there is no platform staff, then you would contact the signaller and say 'hello driver of (headcode) here, I am ready to depart', and then you would self-dispatch, whether the signaller will give you a proceed aspect.

 

[Mojo]

If you're at a station where there is no platform staff, then you would contact the signaller and say 'hello driver of (headcode) here, I am ready to depart', and then you would self-dispatch, whether the signaller will give you a proceed aspect or an RA.

Interesting, I have not heard of locations where the RA indicator is controlled from the signal box, everywhere I'm familiar with it is a panel or pillar on the platform. I'm just trying to envisage where, and why, such a location would be set up like this.

 

[800001]

I am in training and getting confused about when you need an RA for dispatch at stations that self dispatch and stations that don’t. Can anyone shed light?

Wouldn't it be best to speak to your trainer, express that you need more clarification.

Then you are getting factual information based on your Operator, station and company method of work.

 

[transportphoto]

If you're at a staffed station, with dispatch staff, then a dispatcher will press the RA and that essentially confirms that the platform is clear and that you have permission to depart once you have a proceed aspect given. If you're at a station where there is no platform staff, then you would contact the signaller and say 'hello driver of (headcode) here, I am ready to depart', and then you would self-dispatch, whether the signaller will give you a proceed aspect or an RA.

This is not at all accurate. I’d suggest the OP seeks clarity from their trainers/instructors.

 

[ValleyLines142]

This is not at all accurate. I’d suggest the OP seeks clarity from their trainers/instructors.

How so?

That is the method of work that takes place in my area. The dispatcher will give the RA at a staffed station. At an unstaffed station, the driver would contact the signaller; how else are they going to get in touch with the panel?

It's best for the OP to check with their trainers as there is a method of work that they will be shown specifically to the areas that they will sign.

 

[KNN]

I am in training and getting confused about when you need an RA for dispatch at stations that self dispatch and stations that don’t. Can anyone shed light?

If it's anything like my experience of the operational railway it's one of those "it depends" situations, like other people have said it's best to speak to your trainer. If it isn't clear to you keep asking.

 

[whoosh]

I think we are getting 'RA' and getting the platform signal cleared (at staff dispatched stations they press a 'Train Ready To Start' [TRTS] button to let the Signaller know the train is ready), conflated.


Ultimately, whether you self-dispatch, or get dispatched by station staff (CD/RA indicator, or bat & flag, or bat & RA indicator) will come down to route knowledge.
The reasons for having staff dispatch the train come down to various reasons such as how busy the station is, where the passengers enter or exit the platform, station lighting, signal sighting - there's a whole load of factors.

 

[stadler]

If you're at a staffed station, with dispatch staff, then a dispatcher will press the RA and that essentially confirms that the platform is clear and that you have permission to depart once you have a proceed aspect given.

If you're at a station where there is no platform staff, then you would contact the signaller and say 'hello driver of (headcode) here, I am ready to depart', and then you would self-dispatch, whether the signaller will give you a proceed aspect or an RA.

Are you sure about unstaffed stations. I have never seen an unstaffed station with RA indicators. At an unstaffed station the driver simply departs on time when the signal is clear if it is DOO or just departs when they get two bells if it is guard operated. You only have RA indicators at some large major staffed stations.

 

[gka472l]

At the station I dispatch at, we only give the RA on specific types of stock, others will be bell buzzer between guard/driver.....we do dispatch everything though.

 

[godfreycomplex]

The RA is always operated by platform staff. No locations exist where the signaller controls the RA, and no location exists where the RA is activated for self dispatch services

 

[coxxy]

Depends on the station and any local instructions.

Speak to your trainer/instructor/other drivers st your depot.

The question is too generalised to give a 1 size fits all answer.

 

[LCC106]

This is the issue. Unless we know the TOC, routes etc. we don’t know whether we’re advising the OP incorrectly. Always best to check with your instructor. No such think as a silly question.

 

[WirralLine]

I think we are getting 'RA' and getting the platform signal cleared (at staff dispatched stations they press a 'Train Ready To Start' [TRTS] button to let the Signaller know the train is ready), conflated.

This was how I was reading things too.

Speak to your trainer!

 

[Surreytraveller]

If you're at a staffed station, with dispatch staff, then a dispatcher will press the RA and that essentially confirms that the platform is clear and that you have permission to depart once you have a proceed aspect given.

If you're at a station where there is no platform staff, then you would contact the signaller and say 'hello driver of (headcode) here, I am ready to depart', and then you would self-dispatch, whether the signaller will give you a proceed aspect or an RA.

The RA will not illuminate if there isn't a proceed aspect. It is interlocked with the signalling.
If platform staff were to RA a train with a Danger Signal without authority, that would be reportable as it could lead to a SPaD. Although the Rule Book allows it, Close Doors should not be operated with a lot of companies, as that can lead to a SPaD trap

 

[Surreytraveller]

I am in training and getting confused about when you need an RA for dispatch at stations that self dispatch and stations that don’t. Can anyone shed light?

If you're self-despatching, you won't have a RA. A RA is something someone else gives you, such as. Guard or Platform Staff (unless you mean a RA indicator, which is operated by Platform Staff)

 

[BanburyBlue]

What does RA actually stand for?

 

[LCC106]

Right Away, your permission to proceed.

 

[185]

RA is always given by the platform staff.

Certain stations were made RA. The RA is interlocked with the signal and off indicator, thus unless badly installed it should not be possible to display the RA whilst at red / danger. In particularly chaotic locations this has removed the risk of dispatch going wrong.

At Northern Trains, a new one being worked on / considered is "remote dispatch". Someone in a remote location watches the platform on a monitor. Two other TOCs have made mention of this (ridiculous abomination) within the last few months.

 

[driver9000]

This will be covered during your training and will be route specific. Some stations are mixed RA dispatch for certain operators or certain types of train and bell/buzzer for others. Without knowing where you are or the routes you will be signing it's almost impossible to give clear guidance.

 

[Horizon22]

How so?

That is the method of work that takes place in my area. The dispatcher will give the RA at a staffed station. At an unstaffed station, the driver would contact the signaller; how else are they going to get in touch with the panel?

Correct "your area". At some places it is guard and driver, other places might be the driver doing it DOO, it may depend if the service is ECS etc. There's a multitude of train dispatch methods which are location and stock dependent and therefore the OP needs to get advice from their trainer/manager.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Nov 2025 ==

At Northern Trains, a new one being worked on / considered is "remote dispatch". Someone in a remote location watches the platform on a monitor. Two other TOCs have made mention of this (ridiculous abomination) within the last few months.

Not to get into the DOO debate, but seeing as every train needs a driver, it seems like they may as well have the driver (on-site!) undergo the dispatch using some sort of monitors as opposed to relying on a remote feed...

 

[1D53]

At Northern Trains, a new one being worked on / considered is "remote dispatch". Someone in a remote location watches the platform on a monitor. Two other TOCs have made mention of this (ridiculous abomination) within the last few months.

I've not heard of this. In fact the spec for NTL new trains specifically mentions guard controls etc, what benefit would remote dispatch have if every train has a guard? Are we sure we're not confusing CCTV assisted dispatch which is being fitted on some stations (and is already seen on Merseyrail and SWR amongst others).

 

[ValleyLines142]

Are you sure about unstaffed stations. I have never seen an unstaffed station with RA indicators. At an unstaffed station the driver simply departs on time when the signal is clear if it is DOO or just departs when they get two bells if it is guard operated. You only have RA indicators at some large major staffed stations.

No, hence why I mentioned that at unstaffed stations, the driver would contact the signaller to confirm what train they are on and to await a proceed aspect from them.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Nov 2025 ==

The RA will not illuminate if there isn't a proceed aspect. It is interlocked with the signalling.
If platform staff were to RA a train with a Danger Signal without authority, that would be reportable as it could lead to a SPaD. Although the Rule Book allows it, Close Doors should not be operated with a lot of companies, as that can lead to a SPaD trap

Correct, hence why I said 'once you have a proceed aspect given'.

 

[185]

I've not heard of this. In fact the spec for NTL new trains specifically mentions guard controls etc, what benefit would remote dispatch have if every train has a guard? Are we sure we're not confusing CCTV assisted dispatch which is being fitted on some stations (and is already seen on Merseyrail and SWR amongst others).

Northern Trains themselves specifically referred to "CCTV assisted dispatch" as "remote dispatch", and I am aware of a person transferred to Leeds four months ago to work on this project.

Sounds like nothing to do with guards or drivers, possibly a platform / station thing.

 

[357]

If you're at a staffed station, with dispatch staff, then a dispatcher will press the RA and that essentially confirms that the platform is clear and that you have permission to depart once you have a proceed aspect given.

If you're at a station where there is no platform staff, then you would contact the signaller and say 'hello driver of (headcode) here, I am ready to depart', and then you would self-dispatch, whether the signaller will give you a proceed aspect or an RA.

This is not correct at all.

 

[ValleyLines142]

This is not correct at all.

Would you care to inform us of the correct method of working then, bearing in mind the above is exactly what happens in my area?

Remember - every operating area has different working methods/agreements.

 

[Stigy]

Interesting, I have not heard of locations where the RA indicator is controlled from the signal box, everywhere I'm familiar with it is a panel or pillar on the platform. I'm just trying to envisage where, and why, such a location would be set up like this.

I think they were just talking about a main aspect signal as far as contacting the signaller goes.

Edit; I just saw the bit about the RA at the end so scrub that.

 

[PudseyBearHST]

It’s very much a route knowledge thing. There are times when you may get RA even if you have a guard aboard, etc…