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Track Circuit Failure

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Track Circuit Failure 28/03/2010 at 20:06 #1010
Valiant15
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23 posts
What is the correct procedure when you get a track circuit failure? I know that once a train has stopped at a signal before a failure you can autorise it straight on, but i would guess that in real life the procedure is different. Would you wait for each train to phone the box to get clearence to continue?
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Track Circuit Failure 28/03/2010 at 20:06 #7937
Valiant15
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23 posts
What is the correct procedure when you get a track circuit failure? I know that once a train has stopped at a signal before a failure you can autorise it straight on, but i would guess that in real life the procedure is different. Would you wait for each train to phone the box to get clearence to continue?
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Track Circuit Failure 28/03/2010 at 20:24 #7938
UKTrainMan
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The way I understand it (if the track circuit that has failed is beyond the signal) you wait for the train to stop at the signal, wait for the driver to phone in then ask them to Pass Signal At Danger ("PSAD"and examine the line and if they report back that it is clear then you should be alright to just authorise all further trains to PSAD without further need to examine. Alternatively if the option is available you could use an adjacent line (in the same direction as the train of course) however my personal preference is to just send trains over the failed track circuit as I believe the delay is minimal either way.

But of course there are plenty of real signallers on here who could tell you the proper procedure and so if they are reading this I would invite them to comment.

Hope this helps.

Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for.
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Track Circuit Failure 28/03/2010 at 20:36 #7939
Valiant15
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Thanks for that. I sort of thought that phone calls were the way to go. Would be interested in what happens in a real box in that situation if anyone can enlighten us!
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Track Circuit Failure 28/03/2010 at 22:59 #7945
AndyG
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1830 posts
See Failures on the WIKI for guidance. Not 100% correct to the current real life rules, buta good starting point.
I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either.
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Track Circuit Failure 29/03/2010 at 08:22 #7949
NR_signaller
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the reason the first train to pass over the affected line examines the line is because you cant assume it is a track circuit failure first of all, it may well be an obstruction on the line, so the first train examines the line to determine this.

you are also supposed to caution first train on any adjacent line unless you have had a report back from the first train examining the affected line.

the way you deal with first train- driver will phone you from signal post telephone, or cab secure radio, whichever is appropriate
you tell him: reason he is stopped is because a track circuit showing occupied in section ahead so he is required to examine the line, come to clear understanding of location to be examined, authorise driver to pass signal at danger and to proceed at caution being prepared to stop short of any obstruction, and to report back his finding at the next suitable location

if nothing found then the track circuit can be classified as having failed

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Track Circuit Failure 29/03/2010 at 11:30 #7953
DriverCurran
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Is it still the case that if the affected track is in a tunnel that you stop traffic on the other line while the first train is examining the affected line.
You have to get a red before you can get any other colour
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Track Circuit Failure 29/03/2010 at 11:39 #7954
ralphjwchadkirk
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275 posts
Yes - General Signalling Regulation 20.2.8:
Quote:
Where the affected portion of line is in a tunnel, you must not allow another train to enter or pass through the tunnel while a train is being used to examine the affected portion of line.

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Track Circuit Failure 29/03/2010 at 12:07 #7955
DriverCurran
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Cheers for the clarification
You have to get a red before you can get any other colour
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Track Circuit Failure 29/03/2010 at 12:22 #7956
caedave
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142 posts
Taken from one of the RAIB reports where the "Examine Line" rule was not done correctly and resulted in a de-railment.
"ensure that the driver fully understands the REAL reason and that he keeps his speed down (20mph?)

Dave M.

AndyG said:
the way you deal with first train- driver will phone you from signal post telephone, or cab secure radio, whichever is appropriate
you tell him: reason he is stopped is because a track circuit showing occupied in section ahead so he is required to examine the line, come to clear understanding of location to be examined, authorise driver to pass signal at danger and to proceed at caution being prepared to stop short of any obstruction, and to report back his finding at the next suitable location

if nothing found then the track circuit can be classified as having failed

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Track Circuit Failure 29/03/2010 at 12:52 #7957
AndyG
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1830 posts
WIKI page page just revised with MM's help, hope that's useful.
I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either.
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Track Circuit Failure 03/04/2010 at 17:01 #8152
Valiant15
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23 posts
Thanks for all the input and the wiki page update Andy. Appreciate it.
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