15x

Question 1

What is the maximum amount of vehicles that can be coupled to form a train of 15x units?

Answer 1

10 vehicles

Question 2

What is the maximum speed of a GWR 15x unit including mixed formations in multiple?

Answer 2

150 - 75mph
158 - 90mph
150/158 - 75 mph - will always be the max speed of the slower traction (150)

Question 3

Where can fire extinguisher be found on a class 15x?

Answer 3

One in each cab at least one in each vehicle saloon

Question 4

Where are Pass comms located on a class 15x?

Answer 4

150 - doors B, D and E (BED)

158 - 6 per vehicle and additional 1 in every toilet

Question 5

Where are the call for aids located on a 15x?

Answer 5

150 & 158 - in the UAT and in the wheelchair area.

Question 6

What emergency equipment is carried on a 15x and where is it located?

Answer 6

Driving cab - 2 TCOC’S, 10 Dets, fire extinguisher, lights sticks and 2 x red flags.

Saloon - light sticks in saloon and a fire extinguisher

Emergency equipment cupboard - CRASH, ladder and first aid box. Located near UAT

Question 7

In the event of a pass comm being operated on a 15x what indication will a driver relieve in the cab? And what other events/scenarios will cause the same thing?

Answer 7

The emergency brake will apply.

TPWS brake demand. Emergency brake in rear cab, Brake MCB, train control MCB or TPWS/AWS tripped

Question 8

What external indication will identify which vehicle the pass comm has been operated on a 15x

Answer 8

BIL on affected vehicle only

Question 9

How is a passcomm activation reset on a 15x

Answer 9

Use a t key to reset passcomm and return to normal position.

Question 10

How is a call for aid notified to the driver of a 15x?

Answer 10

The APIS train FX console will emit and audible sound along with an APIS screen message ‘talk back request’

Lift handset and press PTT

Question 11

How is the call for aid reset on a 15x when dealt with?

Answer 11

Reset by replacing handset into the cradle

Question 12

Which 15x unit has an alternator excitation MCB?

Answer 12

158 - common for.these to trip when they have been stabled overnight.

Question 13

How would you get electrical power in a vehicle if the engine is isolated?

Answer 13

Opearate the remote supply changeover button (RSCB) by braking glass and flipping switch.

Question 14

What can cause BIL to illuminate on a 15x?

Answer 14

Fat Bastards Don’t Like Physical Training.

F - Fire system activated.
B - Brake MCB tripped
D - Doors (open)
L - Local Door (open)
P - passcomm activated
T - TCA fault

Shore supply 158 only

Question 15

What will happen if an eggress has been operated on a 15x?

Answer 15

158 - Emergency brake will apply immediately and hustle alarm will sound. Loss of interlock and traction power. The door will.not begin to open for 20 seconds and over the following 20 seconds the door will open slowly.

150 - once operated, the door will dump all its air and the alarm will sound. Once opened, regardless of speed the emergency brake will apply. Loss of traction power and interlock.

Question 16

What must your immediate actions be on becoming aware an eggress has been operated 15x?

Answer 16

Stop and secure the train in a suitable place. Make an emergency call to the signaller to get line block. Potentially passengers on track

Question 17

What does the sound of a loud ringing bell indicate to the driver?

Answer 17

The fire bell

Question 18

What train equipment is fitted in the event of a fire braking out? Explain its automatic and manual override?

Answer 18

Each vehicle has two systems automatic and manual.

AFFF extinguishers.

Automatically operates at 6mph and under, so.the foam.is not disturbed by air movement.

15x has a fire integrity light. Should be lit to indicate in working order. If not, either the bulb is out, the system is faulty or the automatic system has operated.

Check fire integrity light on affected vehicle. To see if automatic system has operated. If still lit operate manual button on that vehicle.

Manual pull cord on vehicle can also be used if auto system hasn’t worked.

Extinguishers in cabs and saloon can be used as well

Question 19

What should your immediate actions be if a fire bell activates?

Answer 19

Stop the train in a secure location. Not a bridge, tunnel or viaduct or under a station canopy.

Secure train.

Emergency call. Line block and emergency services.

Switchboard hazards and contact guard.

Question 20

What are your actions once the fire has been extinguished?

Answer 20

Isolate engine. This will remove engine stop light on desk.

Isolate Bell and BIL by isolating fire system in affected vehicle.

Evacuate passengers out of vehicle and lock out of use.

Contact malignancy control, follow instructions.

Update signaller.if safe to do so etc.

Place competent person in place if applicable

Question 21

What might a buzzer in the cab indicate on a 15x?

Answer 21

More than 1 driving desk open.

2 DKS(door key switch)at on

Question 22

If the train fault light were to illuminate on moving DDS from N to F on a 15x what intial action should be taken?

What action may need to be taken if your intial action did not resolve the issue?

Answer 22

Move switch all the way to R and back through N and F

Key out and check DDS in rear cab. Move switch all the way through in back cab.

Follow cut and run policy if necessary.

Question 23

How can a driver access a 15x if there is no main res air supply? Your answer should I include returning any operational equipment to its orginal state.

Answer 23

150 - use t key to access. Use butterfly in cab to return to normal position.

158 - use external butterfly valve. If this doesn’t work use Bowden cable under flap on drivers side of the cab. Pull once to release any remaining air and again to release door latch mechanism.
Ensure cable is fully reset into housing( otherwise you will not get brake release)
Reset red flag in door ceiling to its normal position.

Question 24

How can a 15x proceed if a TIS had been isolated?

Answer 24

Gain authorisation from GWR maintenance control, break glass and operate TIS isolation behind driver. EBS may also have to be isolated.

Once isolated check all doors are manually closed, signaller must authorize any movement. Inform the guard. Train to proceed to the next suitable location where passengers are de-trained.

Reinstate TIS isolation, before shutting down desk.

Question 25

How are doors locked out of use on a 15x.

Answer 25

150- pull eggress on affected door to dump air. Push doors together. Use T key tonlock out of use above door. Or lock all doors out of use. Operate DSIC use Schrader house to drain system faster. Close affected door and lock. Remove hose and reinstate DSIC and check other doors on vehicle. Fill in defect book. 158 - operate red isolating flag above door, illuminate door out of use sign Fully open the doors and then manually pull together. Screw Tommy bar onto mechanism and pull doors together until you hear them click. Check looked by attempting to open doors with hands.

Question 26

What rules apply to locking out doors?

Answer 26

If a leading door of a leading or trailing vehicle, lock out of use. Passengers moved to another coach. If a trailing door of a leading or trailing vehicle has been locked out of use. Vehicle can be used, as long as their is vestibule access to another vehicle. If there isn't, passengers must be moved and vehicle locked out of use. If both doors on same side of vehicle, the passengers must be moved and vehicle locked out of use. Train can remain in service but must finish day at maintenance depot

Question 27

How would you gain access to the emergency equipment, if the vehicle has been locked out of use?

Answer 27

If available, use an alternative cupboard. If not a competent person (guard) should be available to grant access. It is not permitted to move the contents of the cupboard to one of the other cabs to make the equipment accessible.

Question 28

What are the speeds of a 15x during flood conditions?

Answer 28

Up to the bottom of the railhead in 20mph in accordance with the ARB. 5 mph, to the top of the railhead. Above the railhead 5 mph with authority.

Question 29

How should a driver respond to wheel slip on a 15x when taking power? Describe indication and operation of train equipment.

Answer 29

Use lower power notches and sand where necessary. Avoid laying sand over points and crossings. The train light will illuminate and erratic speedo and brake cylinder readings.

Question 30

How should a driver respond to wheel slide on a 15x when taking power? Describe indication and operation of train equipment.

Answer 30

Allow WSP to do its job. If required use additional brake force including emergency if required. Use additional sand. Train light will illuminate and speedo will fluctuate.

Question 31

What positions of the brake controller will automatically apply sand during WSP activity?

Answer 31

158 - step 2 onwards 150 - manually from step 1 onwards. Automatically in emergency

Question 32

In the event of overrunning a station what is your immediate actions.

Answer 32

Immediately give the guard 2-2 on the buzzer to not open the doors. Come to clear understanding with guard on how to proceed (e.g open local door only) If a wrong direction movement is required or a movement towards a red signal or in a permissively worked area, get signaller permission first. If doors have been opened, ensure nobody has fallen from the train. If you are not sure you must tell the signaller.

Question 33

Give 5 causes of an engine failing to start. For each, indicate inital checks that can be made to determine the cause?

Answer 33

Fuel starvation, Low oil & Low coolant - get line block if necessary and check levels Local control MCB tripped - check MCB on each vehicle. WSP MCB tripped - check MCB on each vehicle Engine isolated - check engine isolating switch. Get line block if necessary. Shore supply connected - check connection. Fire system or starter battery isolated - check isolation switches.

Question 34

If the aux batteries on the rear vehicle aren't being charged, what will.the eventual outcome be?

Answer 34

Tail lights will go out Saloon lights will go out. No power or heat.

Question 35

Give 5 causes of an unsolicited brake application or being unable to release the brakes?

Answer 35

TPWS brake demand Emergency brake in another cab Low main res air Uncoupled button pressed in error Compressor speed up switched on Brake control MCB tripped Train control MCB tripped TPWS/AWS MCB tripped Passcomm activated Eggress AWS fail/slow to cancel

Question 36

In the event of an unsolicited brake demand, what should be checked first and why?

Answer 36

TPWS panel for a red brake demand button indicator light. The light extinguishes after 60 seconds, so you may miss it if you dont look straight away.

Question 37

If the brake will still not release after a fault finding process has been carried out, how can the brake demand be overridden?

Answer 37

As a last resort, operate the EBS (Emergency Bypass Switch) to create a mini brake continuity wire in the cab the train is to be driven from. Use a traction key to unlock the EBS sliding metal plate in the driver’s windscreen (red & white diagonally striped flag) or the EBS rotary switch operated by inserting a traction key and turning to the isolate position. The switch is located under the flap on the DA side of the cab. The Safety Systems isolation light will illuminate red on the front desk.The Safety Systems purple/lilac light will illuminate on the outside of train (DA side windscreen) – but not in the case of a raised EBS flag??? You must get permission from control to operate the EBS and get the signallers permission before any movement is made. You must drive the train from the cab in which EBS has been operated. Passengers must be de-trained at the first suitable station and the train may proceedECS to a Maintenance Depot. If the train is not fixed bar coupled, passengers must be moved to the leading where possible and a competent person provided to ride in the rear unit, where possible. Fill in the defect book

Question 38

Once the procedure above has been carried out which controls/equipment will no longer function to stop the train? (EBS)

Answer 38

Passcomms, Egress & Emergency brake in rear cab

Question 39

If the EBS is raised what systems/equipment will be isolated from the Brake Continuity wire?

Answer 39

Passcomms, Door Interlock, local door switches and all safety systems in the rear cab

Question 40

What may be indicated by the following when driving a 4 car 150 - Unit & Train Light Illuminated, Sluggish Performance, possible smoke from lead vehicle, no BIL illuminated?

Answer 40

Possible dragging brakes in the lead vehicle

Question 41

What are your immediate actions in the situations above? (Dragging brakes)

Answer 41

Stop and secure the train. Follow the Cut and Run policy. Get a line block if necessary, examine the brakes, tyres and wheels for evidence of damage or overheating. Carry out a wheel rotation test???

Question 42

How could you ultimately resolve the fault identified above? (Dragging brakes)

Answer 42

If the brakes cannot be fully released, inform the signaller and control that you need to leave the cab. Get a line block if necessary. Isolate the brake on the leading vehicleby operating the Brake Isolation Cock (BIC) on the leading vehicle only. De-Isolate the BIC and check that the fault has cleared. Look to see if brake pads/blocks are free from the wheels. Carry out a wheel rotation test. If the brakes are still not fully released isolate the BIC again. Get permission from signaller before making any movement. You must not exceed 10mph or 5mph over points and crossings. If train has rigid bar couplers – 1 in 5 rule not met as there are less than 4 vehicles with working brakes to every unbraked vehicle the train should proceed at a reduced speed (depends on driver’s opinion of available brake force, weather conditions & gradient) until the first suitable station where passengers can be detrained. The train can then continue in non passenger service to the next available location. If train does not have rigid bar couplers – Option 1 (preferred choice) is to box in the defective vehicle. Train may proceed if brake continuity throughout the train. 1 in 5 rule is not met as there are less than 4 vehicles with working brakes to every unbraked vehicle the train should proceed at a reduced speed (depends on driver’s opinion of available brake force, weather conditions & gradient) until the first suitable station where passengers can be detrained. The train can then continue in non passenger service to the next available location. Option 2 - If it is not possible to box in the defective vehicle in the train may proceed in passenger service to the first suitable station to detrain passengers and continue in non passenger service to the next available location, providing that the defective vehicle has a parking brake and a competent person is supplied to apply it in an emergency (divided train). A speed restriction of 5mph applies in this instance. Option 3 - If both the brake and parking brake has been isolated the train may still be able to continue at 5 mph if the gradient profile of the line means the first or last Page 11 of 12vehicle will not break away. So, where no brake at all is available on the leading vehicle the train may only proceed if the gradient is rising in the direction of travel and where no brakes at all are available on the rear vehicle, the train may only proceed if the gradient is level or falling in the direction of travel.

Question 43

With reference to the above how could the train proceed if an assisting train is available? Assume the train has rigid bar couplers. (Dragging brakes)

Answer 43

Assisting train to box in defective vehicle if possible. 1 in 5 rule met. As there will now be at least 4 vehicles with working brakes to every unbraked vehicle, the train may remain in service until the end of the day but the speed is restricted to 10mph below linespeed where the linespeed is greater than 35mph.Get permission from signaller before any movement is made