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| Blue "X" at Temple Meads 07/02/2012 at 15:41 #29013 | |
Temple Meads
307 posts |
Hello guys, I've just starting playing with the Bristol sim, and I've come across a symbol I haven't seen before, it's a blue "X" that is about halfway down most of the platforms on temple Meads station. I couldn't find them on the symbols list in the wiki, so what I want to know is what are they, and are they used often? Thanks in advance :) Tim Username TIM in multiplayer Log in to reply |
| Re: Blue "X" at Temple Meads 07/02/2012 at 15:47 #29014 | |
lazzer
605 posts |
The X is what is known as a "St Andrew's Cross". They are black crosses on a white, backlit background. The SAC's define the boundaries between platforms 3 and 4, platforms 5 and 6, platforms 7 and 8, platforms 9 and 10, and platforms 11 and 12. The platforms themselves are one long piece of platform. As a driver approaches from Bristol East junction, if he is being routed into platforms 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11, he must NOT pass the SAC on the platform. The route runs up to the SAC. If the train is routed to platforms 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12, then the driver may pass the cross and run to the physical end of the platform. Obviously, the reverse is true when coming from the west. In Simsig, the X is a "signal" for the purposes of routing trains into these platforms. So to run a train from Bristol East into platform 3, for example, the TO signal is the SAC halfway down P3/4. To run a train from Bristol East into platform 4, the TO signal is the one at the west end of platform 4. In real life, a SAC should be treated as a signal for the purposes of SPADs, although we had a driver pass one without authority a few years ago and it was treated as an "operational incident". God only knows how he got away with that one. The SAC should turn green when a train is signalled past it. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Temple Meads |
| Re: Blue "X" at Temple Meads 07/02/2012 at 15:50 #29015 | |
postal
5190 posts |
" said:Hello guys, I've just starting playing with the Bristol sim, and I've come across a symbol I haven't seen before, it's a blue "X" that is about halfway down most of the platforms on temple Meads station.All explained in the Wiki if you look at the Bristol Manual. “In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Temple Meads |
| Re: Blue "X" at Temple Meads 07/02/2012 at 15:52 #29016 | |
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Temple Meads
307 posts |
Thanks for the replies 
Username TIM in multiplayer Log in to reply |
| Re: Blue "X" at Temple Meads 07/02/2012 at 15:54 #29017 | |
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lazzer
605 posts |
I should add that if you are routing from Bristol East to the west end of platforms 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12, you don't need to click on the SAC when setting the route - it will clear automatically to show that the driver may pass it. And yes, they are used EVERY day for lots of real life movements - the 05.27 Paddington to Swansea via BTM is a good case in point. This train is booked to run into platform 7 and reverse to go Up Filton. If I am bringing this train into Temple Meads, I will see a "7" in the theatre box at Bristol East gantry. Therefore, I can only run to the cross. If my train is a 2+8 HST then I have to run to within a foot or two of the cross, so that the back of the train is in clear of the signal at the east end of platform 7, so the relieving Bristol driver can take the train out without calling the signaller. A 2+7 will fit with no problem. The other operational point of interest is the SAC on platforms 3/4. If a 2+8 HST is routed into platform 3, and is due to then reverse and run east out of the station, the train will NOT be in clear of the starting signal on platform 3. Therefore, all drivers who sign Temple Meads have been told that if they are routed into platform 3 (to reverse) in a train that is too long to fit between the SAC and the starting signal of platform 3, then they will receive a "4" on the Bristol East gantry, and will be expected to run their train about one power car's length past the SAC. If we were to receive a "3" for this move, and pass the SAC, then technically it would be a SPAD. Last edited: 07/02/2012 at 15:55 by lazzer Log in to reply |
| Re: Blue "X" at Temple Meads 07/02/2012 at 15:55 #29018 | |
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lazzer
605 posts |
" said:" said:Hello guys, I've just starting playing with the Bristol sim, and I've come across a symbol I haven't seen before, it's a blue "X" that is about halfway down most of the platforms on temple Meads station.All explained in the Wiki if you look at the Bristol Manual. Just ask me if you need to know any more about Bristol, as I sign most of the routes found on the Sim. Log in to reply |
| Re: Blue "X" at Temple Meads 07/02/2012 at 23:08 #29042 | |
Underwood
746 posts |
I believe you have to then call up the box if starting from P4 (like the BTM - Plymouth via Westbury Voyager) to pass to P3? To be honest, on most the moves starting at the west end heading east, I haven't personally seen anyone use the phone pre-departure, so I don't know where or when it's done? Also another daft question, you say about passing the SAC when at the east end (P3, P5, P7 etc) but if it's a 2+8 west HST stopping at P8 say, the rear power car of course is past the SAC touching into P7. Would this in theory show a red line through both P8 and P7, or does show a slight overhang on the real panel? Log in to reply |
| Re: Blue "X" at Temple Meads 08/02/2012 at 09:57 #29077 | |
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lazzer
605 posts |
" said:I believe you have to then call up the box if starting from P4 (like the BTM - Plymouth via Westbury Voyager) to pass to P3? To be honest, on most the moves starting at the west end heading east, I haven't personally seen anyone use the phone pre-departure, so I don't know where or when it's done? If a train has to start from an even-numbered platform and is travelling east, then the driver has to call the signaller to get permission to start past the SAC. His next signal is then the one at the eastern end of the odd-numbered platform. I don't think many services are planned to arrive from the west and stop at an even-numbered platform. Similarly, trains heading west would usually be given an even-numbered platform to avoid the operational inconvenience. Only engineering work/platform closures would affect this. As for trains overhanging the back of a SAC, this happens regularly, as not all of the platforms are the same length. FGW and Cross Country HSTs/Voyagers to the west country are usually put into platforms 10 or 12, as these are long enough to fit most of train between the starting signal and the SAC. If the back of a train is still hanging over into "platform 9 or 11", then that's not a problem, as any train coming into platform 11 will simply stop a safe distance from the tail lights of the train in platform 12. I don't know what the signallers panel will actually show, as I've never been in there. I have had one interesting platform allocation myself - it was on a Sunday a couple of years ago, and I was on a Padd to BTM service. Ordinarily, I would expect to terminate in P13 or P15, as with weekday services. But on this occasion I was given P12. I therefore assumed that once I had terminated, my train would either continue ECS to the west (Laira for example), or would perform the rare movement of reversing at Bristol West Junction, back into the Marsh. So I stopped it at the end of 12, went for my break, and on looking at the TMIS screen to check where my return train was, I discovered it was on ... platform 12 - the same set! The train was a 2+8 HST, so the rear power car and part of the first coach were past the SAC, and technically in platform 11. I called the signaller and asked him what the procedure for departure to the east was. He told me that a member of despatch staff would stand on platform 11, towards the starting signal (which I could not see as the platforms are curved, as I'm sure you know) and check that this signal was off. They would then be authorised to despatch me, and I would be authorised to continue along platform 11 and obey the aspect showing on the platform 11 starting signal. That sort of thing is rare - it was a Sunday and I believe certain platforms/points were out of action. Had it been a normal Sunday I would have been in platform 13 or 15. Last edited: 08/02/2012 at 09:59 by lazzer Log in to reply The following users said thank you: Josie, alan_s, Steamer, guidomcc |
| Re: Blue "X" at Temple Meads 08/02/2012 at 21:09 #29157 | |
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Forest Pines
525 posts |
" said:The morning service to Waterloo leaves from 12 - I think it's just before 9am, but I'm not entirely sure. I do know that every odd-numbered platform is in use during the time that the unit for the Waterloo service is at the platform. Log in to reply |
| Re: Blue "X" at Temple Meads 08/02/2012 at 21:41 #29160 | |
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Stefan
17 posts |
The 8:51 service to Salisbury (?) is scheduled to depart from platform 12.
Last edited: 08/02/2012 at 21:42 by Stefan Log in to reply |
| Re: Blue "X" at Temple Meads 08/02/2012 at 21:44 #29161 | |
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Forest Pines
525 posts |
" said:The 8:51 service to Salisbury (?) is scheduled to depart from platform 12.That would be the Waterloo train I mentioned. Log in to reply |
| Re: Blue "X" at Temple Meads 17/06/2012 at 19:13 #33132 | |
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TimB2010
77 posts |
" said:The train was a 2+8 HST, so the rear power car and part of the first coach were past the SAC, and technically in platform 11.As an ex platform staff at Birmingham New St (another station where some platforms are curved and some signals are not visible to drivers starting from the "wrong" end of the platform), this was also standard procedure at New St in my time there, although as dispatch lamps are used there rather than bats, and platform staff give the RA to the drivers, the tips to the guard were given using white lights by dispatchers, and the RA to the driver was given using a green light by the dispatcher at the TRTS controls, repeated by another member of staff if necessary (eg if a Voyager or smaller multiple unit heading south was starting from the North end of Platform 9B). Due to the workings at New St (booked and one-off), this happened more regularly at New St in my time there than perhaps it does at Temple Meads now. Log in to reply |
| Re: Blue "X" at Temple Meads 17/06/2012 at 21:28 #33139 | |
Steamer
3923 posts |
This probably sounds daft, but could OFF indicators be used, so platform staff don't have to observe the actual signal aspect?
"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q) Log in to reply |