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| Bell code 4-1-4 24/06/2011 at 18:48 #3290 | |
Quizman
276 posts |
I have asked this question on another forum but not a lot feedback except that it was not in the BR manual. Have been reading book 'Laira Fireman' in which the author recalls a 'City of Truro' anniversary run back in the 60's by 3 Castle's hauling three separate trains all of which were run under the special code 4-1-4 'Train Must Run To Time'. I can't find any record of such a 'special' code. Would a unique code have been used just for this occasion or was it so special that it was in the codebooks but very rarely used? Any ideas/knowledge appreciated. :: Log in to reply |
| Bell code 4-1-4 24/06/2011 at 18:48 #16955 | |
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Quizman
276 posts |
I have asked this question on another forum but not a lot feedback except that it was not in the BR manual. Have been reading book 'Laira Fireman' in which the author recalls a 'City of Truro' anniversary run back in the 60's by 3 Castle's hauling three separate trains all of which were run under the special code 4-1-4 'Train Must Run To Time'. I can't find any record of such a 'special' code. Would a unique code have been used just for this occasion or was it so special that it was in the codebooks but very rarely used? Any ideas/knowledge appreciated. :: Log in to reply |
| Bell code 4-1-4 24/06/2011 at 19:10 #16956 | |
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mfcooper
707 posts |
I'm not sure, but local codes are rather common. I know that when there was AB working between Upper Holloway and Haringey Park Junction, Upper Holloway would send the normal set of bells for trains continuing to South Tottenham, but had a completely different set for trains going round the single line towards the ECML. These were only published in the special box instructions of each box. Log in to reply |
| Bell code 4-1-4 24/06/2011 at 19:24 #16957 | |
DriverCurran
683 posts 
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Ahhh Mr Cooper refers to the good old special bell code lists :-) The joys of AB and TCB by bell communication at a junction box :cool: Paul You have to get a red before you can get any other colour Log in to reply |
| Bell code 4-1-4 24/06/2011 at 19:32 #16959 | |
jc92
3629 posts |
possibly a special code put in place in the weekly notices for the purposes of those specials
"We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Log in to reply |
| Bell code 4-1-4 24/06/2011 at 20:50 #16963 | |
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postman
47 posts |
Back in the 1980's I was lucky enough to know a signalman at Barnham and a block bell with tcb in use to Chichester and ab to Bognor Regis. What I did notice that when a train required to be routed by a bell code, the bell code was duly applied when train was entering section. ie: an up Bognor Regis to Littlehampton was offered as 3-1, and entered on line as 3. Happy days those with levers crashing and bells ringing. 
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| Bell code 4-1-4 25/06/2011 at 13:33 #16981 | |
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Danny252
1461 posts |
postman said:and entered on line as 3.That seems a rather indistinct bell code - especially as 2-1 is often rendered as "3" when belling with speed. Log in to reply |
| Bell code 4-1-4 26/06/2011 at 00:20 #16988 | |
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DriverCurran
683 posts
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My understanding of the 'routing' bell codes is that the sequence for signalling a train will be as thus (Box B for the purpose of this exercise is the junction box)...... For the 'Main' route which ever is chosen to be thus.... After the call attention bell signal has been sent and acknowledged by repetition the signaller at box A will request the line clear by use of the appropriate bell signal (class 1 - 4 beats on the bell, class 2 - 3 beats followed by a distinct pause followed by 1 beat on the bell). Once the train has passed the signal box located at box A the signalman there will then send the train entering section signal to the signalman at Box B using the train entering section bell signal - 2 beats on the bell. For the 'Branch' route the methord of signalling is thus.... After the call attention bell signal has been sent and acknowledged by repetition the signaller at Box A will request the line clear by use of the special bell list one bell signal (Class 1 - 4 beats followed by a distinct pause followed by 4 beats, class 2 - 1 beat followed by a distinct pause followed by 3 beats on the bell). Once the train has passed the signal box at box A the signalman there will then send the train entering section special code list signal to the signalman at Box B (1 beat followed by a distinct pause followed by 2 beats). In all cases the train out of section bell signal is the same (2 beats followed by a distinct pause followed by one beat). All bell signals MUST be sent clearly and concisely with pauses between bells being distinctly marked in such a manner that the signalman receiving the bell signal is under no misconception as to the meaning of the bell signal being sent. Paul You have to get a red before you can get any other colour Log in to reply |
| Bell code 4-1-4 26/06/2011 at 08:51 #16994 | |
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Late Turn
696 posts |
Various forms of routing codes were in use, with varying degrees of complexity. At Lincoln, two beats were added to the ILC code between High Street and West Holmes for anything bound for Swinderby (thus 3-1 would become 3-1-2). I think that applies to all ILC codes. No change to the two beats sent upon TES, and I don't think that was common anywhere else (after all, you'd often need to offer on before receiving TES at many locations complex enough to warrant routing codes!) 1-2 was often used (unofficially?) as 'attend telephone', though that might be in the Rule Book now? Log in to reply |
| Bell code 4-1-4 26/06/2011 at 09:08 #16995 | |
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Zoe
251 posts |
Late Turn said:1-2 was often used (unofficially?) as 'attend telephone', though that might be in the Rule Book now? Yes, TS1/3.4.2 details the use of this code. Log in to reply |
| Bell code 4-1-4 26/06/2011 at 11:50 #16998 | |
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Danny252
1461 posts |
Late Turn said:1-2 was often used (unofficially?) as 'attend telephone'I've also heard it having been used to mean "work straight up" - sent to neighbouring boxes upon officialdom being spotted approaching the box. Log in to reply |
| Bell code 4-1-4 26/06/2011 at 12:47 #17000 | |
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Zoe
251 posts |
Danny252 said:I've also heard it having been used to mean "work straight up" - sent to neighbouring boxes upon officialdom being spotted approaching the box. I thought that was 1-2-1, used on the WR when an inspector was approaching the box to tell the other boxes to work by the book and not the GWR way. Log in to reply |
| Bell code 4-1-4 26/06/2011 at 21:47 #17018 | |
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Danny252
1461 posts |
The one I'd heard of was from somewhere on the WCML or Cheshire - Weaver Jn or similar. 1-2-1 would be a bit odd as it's already down as "train approaching", but I can see how that meaning could be transplanted on it.
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| Bell code 4-1-4 28/06/2011 at 06:03 #17026 | |
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pilotman
189 posts |
Zoe said:Danny252 said:I've also heard it having been used to mean "work straight up" - sent to neighbouring boxes upon officialdom being spotted approaching the box. On the LNER they used "1-2-1-2" which was the old number for Scotland Yard on the Whitehall exchange. Clearly not to be acknowledged! Log in to reply |
| Bell code 4-1-4 30/06/2011 at 14:28 #17078 | |
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kbarber
1712 posts |
mfcooper said:I'm not sure, but local codes are rather common. I think this is descended from the codes that had been in use when the whole line was AB. When I was in Junction Road the down from Harringay to S Tottenham was TCB with description by block bells only when Harringay open, absolute when it was closed. Under the Signal Box Instructions for Junction Road, a special Train Entering Section signal 2-2-4 was used to Holloway for trains running towards Tottenham South Junction at South Tottenham. Holloway used the same special TES to Harringay/ST. When Harringay was open the B codes were used to ST for trains routed to TSJ; these were set out in a publication/notice which I don't have a copy of (there were also C and D codes, so the system was clearly fairly widespread). Tottenham, of course, routed accordingly. I have a suspicion that, before the rationalisation of the 1960s, there would've been another special TES from Junction Road, for trains routed to Tottenham North Junction at South Tottenham. If I'm right, I suspect it's likely to have been 2-2-2 - and since only the Gas Works Railway used Reg 4A there was no conflict Danny :-) The only evidence I have for this is that both 2-2-2 and 2-2-4 were used at St Albans South, for trains running to the Goods lines and towards Dudding Hill Jc at Brent No. 2 respectively, but I can see no reason why 2-2-2 wouldn't otherwise have been used at JR. Oh, and for trains of any class to the ECML at Harringay, there was a special ILC signal 1-2-3. (No, I never did work that one out either.) Log in to reply |
| Bell code 4-1-4 30/06/2011 at 15:25 #17082 | |
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kbarber
1712 posts |
pilotman said:Zoe said:Danny252 said:I've also heard it having been used to mean "work straight up" - sent to neighbouring boxes upon officialdom being spotted approaching the box. Warnings I have known :-) I did once hear an old GN man refer to Ray's example as "Scotland Yard". Took me a while to work out the reference... It was 1-2-1 on the North & West London lines and on the GC, as well as on the Western. As "train approaching" was used only where authorised 1-2-1 could have only one meaning (quick, switch the wireless off...) The Midland, for some reason, used 2-2. Again no problem where engine in rear wasn't authorised. Between Cricklewood & St Pancras confusion was averted by sending the warning on all block bells, not only the one you'd just sent TES on! I believe (some parts of?) the Western used to clear back with 1 beat, which simply wasn't answered. If you were caught out, you simply answered the 1 and your mate would add the 2-1 (and presumably warn your mate the other side, realising you hadn't had time to get word out). There could be other ways of getting round being caught out. As a station manager I recall one bobby in conversation with his mate as I arrived; he was speaking in thicker-than-usual patois and kept dropping the word "dots" into the conversation, presumably thinking I was a university whizz-kid who'd never heard of "putting the dots on". The effect was spoiled somewhat when the track circuit failure at Bury Street proceeded on the up line towards us... A "flat one" on the bell could be useful too, particularly as it could be sent (fairly) unobtrusively while dusting the block shelf. Of course it wouldn't work where that was the local call to the phone. That's the ones I know of. I wonder if there are (or were) others out there? Log in to reply |