When driving at caution, what are five things you must consider?
- Weather
- Visibility
- Gradient
- Curvature of the line
- Train’s braking capability
What is low railhead adhesion?
A condition where contamination of the railhead causes trains to experience less adhesion.
What are the indications of railhead contamination?
Dark, dull or discoloured railheads.
Where would you find the areas that have known low rail adhesion?
Sectional Appendix
How can you prevent serious wheel slip?
- Apply less power and gradually increase
- Apply sand via the traction sanders
Where a driver reports ‘reportable adhesion’ the signaller can set up a pre-recorded broadcast via the GSM:R.
What button must the driver press, and what does pressing the button mean?
- ST button on the GSMR:R
- Received and acknowledged, and understand the broadcast message.
What action will the signaller take if ‘reportable rail’ adhesion is on approach to:
A. Buffer stops
B. Booked station stop
C. AHBC
D. Stop signal
E. Manually controlled level crossing (within the overlap of a signal)
The signaller will arrange for the rails to be visually inspected and:
A. Platform taken out of use (if practical to do so) until the rails are treated
B. Drivers of trains booked to stop will be warned in advance
C. Non-stopping selection to be used if possible
D. Driver of each approaching train to be warned unless the signal is displaying a proceed aspect
E. Crossing to be closed to road traffic before each train approaches
What are the terms and definitions of each level of rail adhesion?
Good - rail adhesion conditions are good
Expected - rail adhesion is no worse than would be expected for the location and environmental conditions
Reportable - rail adhesion is worse than would be expected for the location and environmental conditions
What must you do, if a signaller asks you to conduct a controlled test stop on a dead-end platform line?
Confirm that the railheads have been treated.
What driving techniques must be applied during low rail adhesion?
- Apply the 10x20 rule
- Additional running brake tests (where you expect rail adhesion may be lower than normal)
- Brake earlier (braking distances may need to be significantly extended by double the normal distance)
- Select appropriate braking position to achieve desired rate of retardation
- Immediately ensure any on-train sanding equipment is activated (select appropriate braking position or manually press the sanding button)
Where would you find colour coded weather alerts?
Traincrew Information Monitor (TIM)
What is a controlled test stop?
Stopping the train using the technique that would normally be applied for the current environmental weather and rail conditions, rather than that for reportable railhead conditions.
(I.e., brake for that location as you would normally for the conditions as if you had not been warned that reportable railhead conditions exist)
The circumstances in which you can pass a signal at danger with authority can be arranged into six categories. What are they?
- Defective equipment
- Movements
- Engineering work
- Checking the line
- Clearing the line
- Pilot work
When giving authority to pass a signal at danger, what information must the signaller provide you?
- Signal number
- What is required (instructions)
- Why you are passing the signal at danger
- How far the movement is authorised
- Driver head code
If authorised to pass a signal at danger with a SPaD indicator, what must you do?
Override the plunger which is located in a box close to the signal which the SPaD indicator applies to.
If the signaller authorises you to pass a signal at danger upto the position light, and that position light is showing a proceed aspect on your approach, what are your actions?
- Stop the train at that signal
- Await further instructions from the signaller
After being instructed to pass a signal at danger, (and you have received all information), what are your actions?
- Reset the DRA
- Press TPWS train stop override
- Pass the signal at danger and adhere to all other instructions given by signaller
If you are instructed to pass a signal at danger to check for a track defect, what speed must you travel at?
20mph
What conditions must be met to pass two consecutive signals at danger?
- The two signals have the same fault
- There is no distant signal between the two signals
- The second signal has no TPWS
- The third signal is displaying a proceed aspect (cautionary or preliminary caution)
- The line is clear up to the overlap of the fourth signal
If you have authorised yourself to pass a signal at danger (due to a signal box closure), what are your actions?
- Continue at a reduced speed even if you can see the line to be clear
- Only pass points if you’re sure they’re set for your position and pass at 15mph
- Pass at 10mph in a tunnel
- Only pass Automatic Level Crossings if your sure it’s safe to do so
- Stop at the next signal is even if it is displaying a proceed aspect
- If the signal is at danger, contact the signaller in the quickest way possible before proceeding (if it is displaying a proceed aspect, continue at caution towards next signal or signal box)
What are the three reasons to pass a signal at danger under defective equipment?
- The signal is defective or disconnected
- The signal cannot be cleared due to a signalling or level crossing equipment failure
- Defective ERTMS
What are the five reasons to pass a signal at danger under movements?
- Shunting movements
- The train is starting ahead of signal
- To access a platform in an emergency in track circuit block
- To work towards a limiting point because of an isolation
- Restricted acceptance within Absolute Block because the train is not clear of the overlap
What are the three reasons to pass a signal at danger under engineering works?
- Pass a signal protecting engineering works to access a station or siding in single line working
- An engineer’s train is to move towards or leave a line under possession
- An engineer’s train is to move towards protection
What are the three reasons to pass a signal at danger under checking the line?
- To check for a track defect (maximum speed of 20mph)
- To check the line following the removal of a divided train or a train that proceeded without authority
- To the check the line following the removal of a failed train in Absolute Block
