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Patrolman's Lockout Device (PLOD)

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Patrolman's Lockout Device (PLOD) 01/08/2013 at 08:32 #47797
Bagnall2067
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Are there any plans to recreate the PLOD system on the Brighton sim? For those not familiar, the PLOD is a system which uses lineside panels to enable the COSS (Controller of Site Safety) for a patrol (with the signaller's permission) to lockout reversible working on bidirectional lines, i.e. trains can only run in the up direction on the up line and vice-versa, for the duration of a track patrol. If the signaller urgently needs reversible working during the patrol, he telephones the COSS who can then deactivate the PLOD at the nearest panel. The patrol will then wait in a place of safety until the PLOD can be restored, or they will leave the track by the nearest access point. It simply ensures the gang knows what direction trains will be running on the relevent lines. On the Brighton sim area, the PLOD system is present on all bidirectional lines north of Preston Park. On Simsig it could make things interesting by restricting what lines/platforms you can use for a couple of hours. For instance, if you gave a patrol the PLOD at Haywards Heath, and the stone train wanted to come out, you would have to make the chou between holding the stone train or getting the PLOD back and annoying the track gang.

On a similar note, daytime patrols may occasionally request a blockage of a tunnel or platform where 'red zone' (trains running) working is barred, to carry out an inspection. These blockages usually occur between trains and will not usually delay anything, and of course the signaller can always deny the block if neccesary. Again, this kind of thing could add a little bit more dimension to Simsig.

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Patrolman's Lockout Device (PLOD) 01/08/2013 at 09:03 #47798
alvinhochun
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249 posts
I think you can just collar the related signals?
_ _ _ _,_ _ _ _! (censored by the Hong Kong national security law)
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Patrolman's Lockout Device (PLOD) 01/08/2013 at 09:30 #47800
Bagnall2067
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I guess that could be done as an 'ersatz' version, maybe by the host on a multiplayer sim.
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Patrolman's Lockout Device (PLOD) 01/08/2013 at 09:39 #47801
Late Turn
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696 posts
" said:
I think you can just collar the related signals?

You can (and that's exactly how you'd protect such a line blockage) - but it does take away part of the challenge if you're arranging line blockages when you feel like it (and no doubt when it's convenient) rather than when it's actually required (which will inevitably be when it's busy).

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Patrolman's Lockout Device (PLOD) 01/08/2013 at 16:00 #47815
Hooverman
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Patrolmans lockout device (PLOD) or as they are known and labelled at TBASC as Patrolmans Protection Instruments (PPI). I can't see how they would make the sim more fun if they were made workable. Yes the PWay use at least one of the sections in the morning for patrolling Monday to Friday. But the PWay just turn and make a request then use it and when finished hand it back. It has no effect on the train service except 803 PPI which will inhibit the Ardingly freight leaving the down loop in the up direction at Haywards Heath. To use of the PPIs we need the SSM permission which is also the same for using the SIMBIDs.

When the SIMBIDs is in use no other trains on the adjacent line is allowed to move in any direction until the train using the bi-di has completed it's move back to the right line. Because of that it's only really used to get trapped trains out of the way.

Between Balcombe Tunnel Junction and Copyhold Junction the most you will ever get is three trains an hour in any direction while using the bi-di and the same goes for Haywards Heath and Keymer Junction. As for Keymer Junction to Preston Park we just abandon the service as it takes too long for trains going wrong direction to clear the section. We usually divert trains via Lewes if the drivers sign the route and turn the others around short at Haywrds, Bridges or Gatwick with a few going down the Arun Valley Route.

But going back to PPIs on the sim all you would get would a inward call to request, then followed by clicking the relese to simulate pressing the button. Which would then pulse until they turned their trackside key, then the button would hold steady until they hand it back, which would be the reverse process.

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