Points Failures

Question 1

If you suspect that points have been run through, you must not allow any movement to pass over the points in the facing direction until the signalling technician examined them and tells you….2

Answer 1

The points have not been damaged

They are Damaged but can be used when secured

Question 2

If points are found to be damaged no facing movements until… 3

Answer 2

The points have been secured

The movement can be made safely

You must keep the protecting signal at danger until the signalling technician tells you that they may clear it

Question 3

You must arrange for merchanical y operated points to be checked if any of the following apply:4

Answer 3

They cannot be operated from the signal box

They cannot be locked from the signal box

You cannot get the required indications

You cannot get normal indication from a ground frame release

Question 4

You may deal with failed points yourself but when a competent person arrives to check the points you must tell them…. 5

Answer 4

Which points are defective

When trains have been stopped on the line or lines involved

If any other lines are still open

To make sure the points are in the required position

To make sure the points are not damaged or obstructed

Question 5

If you can, you must move the levers to correspond to the required position of the equipment, even if the points or facing point lock is disconnected? True or false

Answer 5

True!

Question 6

You must not allow a train to pass over the defective points unless you can get the correct detection indication on the points, or the person checking the points assure you that…. 3

Answer 6

They are set in the correct position

They are not damaged or obstructed

They have been secured if they are set for a facing movement

Question 7

You must arrange for power operated points to be checked if any of the following applies- 3

Answer 7

Points cannot be operated from signal box

You cannot get normal or reverse indications

You cannot get normal indication from a ground release frame

Question 8

Advise control and request appropriate personnel to attend a….3

Answer 8

Signalling technician

Simple failure (points operation)

Complex failure (route setting agent)

Question 9

Exam hint!
A simple failure of power operated points that needs one of the following to be set or secured (or both) 3

Answer 9

A single point ending

A single point end and co acting trap point

Both ends of a crossover

Question 10

Exam hint!
A complex failure is…..

Answer 10

A failure of power operated points which needs more point ends to be set or secured (or both) Than a simple failure.

Question 11

What’s PO?

Answer 11

Points operation

Question 12

RSA?

Answer 12

Route service advisor?

Question 13

When P0/RSA arrive on site the signaller must record their…. And where?

Answer 13

Name

Employer

Time

(In train register book)

Question 14

Then you would tell them what information? 3

Answer 14

Which points have failed

When trains have been stopped on the line or lines involved

If any other lines are open

Question 15

The signaller must then tell the PO/RSA to check the points and tell you whether…. 3

Answer 15

They are in normal or reverse

The points are damaged or obstructed.

The point motor is still running

Question 16

If the point motor is still running, the signaller must….1

Answer 16

Return the points to their previous position

Question 17

If the PO/RSA manages to clear the points do that detection is obtained, the signaller may clear the signal once the PO/RSA is in ….

Answer 17

Place of safety

Question 18

If the points need to be operated by hand, the signaller must use the…

Answer 18

Route list if there is one and tell the PO which points end need to be placed in which position.

Question 19

When the PO tells you that the points have been set in the correct position the signaller must …2

Answer 19

Operate the signalling control to the position the points have been set in

If they have detection clear the protecting signal (making sure the PO is in a place of safety)

Question 20

If there is no detection, the signaller must instruct the PO to…. 3

Answer 20

Secure facing points with a clip scotch

Secure trailing points with a scotch

Tell them when this has been done

Question 21

What is a scotch?
Clip?

Answer 21

Block of wood

Metal vice looking equipment

Question 22

Where does the clip go?

Answer 22

UNDER the rail.

On top could derail train

Question 23

When the PO advised that the points have been secured in the correct position the signaller must run their train. Before authorising the first train to pass a signal at danger that protects defective points, the signaller must first….

Answer 23

First stop any train on a line which could become obstructed

Question 24

Complex failures
If the points have been operated by hand, the signaller must use the route list if there is one and tell the RSA….3

Answer 24

Which point ends need to be set

What position they must be set

The route that is to be set, for example the up fast to up slow

Question 25

Telling the RSA the route that is to be set, as well as the position the points have been ends need to be set in, is the only difference between a ….

Answer 25

Simple and complex point failure (from the signallers point of view)

Question 26

The RSA must record this on a point setting form called….

Answer 26

RT3183

Question 27

When the route is set, the RSA will…1

Answer 27

Work it to check it is set correctly

Question 28

Indications failures If an arm repeater indicates that a stop signal is defective, but you can see that the signal responds correctly to the lever, you do not need to treat the signal as ….

Answer 28

Defective (located above levers, mini arms to show what the signal is showing)

Question 29

If an arm repeater indicates that a distant signal is defective you must…..

Answer 29

Keep that signal at caution until the signal is repaired

Question 30

If the points indicator for a set of power operated points worked from a merchanical frame does NOT show the correct poistion you must…3

Answer 30

Find out whether it is the indicator that has failed rather than the points Operate the points lever to the opposite position and back again Attempt to clear the signal leading over the points (If you can clear the signal over the points you may treat the fault as an indications failure only and run trains normally)

Question 31

Not all signals have arm repeaters and not all points are power operated and worked from a lever frame. In other cases the following rules apply…1

Answer 31

If a signaller can confirm that an apparent failure of a signal or a set of points is an indications failure only, they may run trains normally.

Question 32

They may confirm this if a signalling technician has ….2

Answer 32

Confirmed that it is an indications failure only or If all the following conditions are met. -when cleared, the protecting signal shows the correct aspect and indication of route

Question 33

In the case of an automatic signal, the signal section ahead, including the overlap of the next stop signal is clear, and the correct signal aspect is displayed after…. 3

Answer 33

After a train has passed, the signal returns to danger The signal that protects the points can be cleared There is no indication that an electronic link has failed

Question 34

Indication failures- track circuits If a track circuit shows occupied but the protecting signal can still show a proceed aspect or indication, trains may ….

Answer 34

Run normally over the track circuit concerned once it is confirmed that it is an indications failure only.

Question 35

This may be confirmed by….

Answer 35

If a signalling technician advised that it is an indications failure only or If all the following conditions are met -the last train has passed through the section -the next train has been stopped and you have instructed the driver to proceed at caution when the signal is cleared and to report the correct signal aspect is shown at each signal concerned -the driver has confirmed that each signal has shown the correct aspect (including any indication of route) -after a train has passed, the signal returns to danger -there is no indication that an electronic link has failed

Question 36

RT3187 form use when…..2

Answer 36

Signalling equipment will be taken out of use, disconnected or restricted to allow SnT to work Trains other than engineering trains in a possession, have to pass through the affected area.

Question 37

RT3187, you do not need to use this form if ….

Answer 37

All signalling equipment affected is within the area of a line blockage, protection zone or possession and it is planned to restore the equipment to normal use before like blockage, protection zone or possession is given up.

Question 38

However, if the line blockage, protection zone or possession will be given up but signalling equipment will stay disconnected or restricted. You and the signaller technician must….

Answer 38

Fill in form BEFORE the line blockage or possession is given up.

Question 39

RT3185 must complete if …..1

Answer 39

A driver reports a signalling irregularity.

Question 40

However you do NOT need to complete a RT3185 form if ……

Answer 40

The fault is clearly a right-side failure or You can explain the failure or irregularities to be a right-side failure and you are fully aware of the circumstances of failure

Question 41

Example of a signalling irregularity….

Answer 41

Eg if you put a signal back in front of a driver, they would call you then fill in form once stopped. Signaller would do own form and let control know.