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"X" Signals

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"X" Signals 09/05/2021 at 09:27 #139391
9pN1SEAp
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1097 posts
Hi,

On a walk round near Mitre Bridge Junction the other day (!) I noticed some extra ground lights, X1A which is situated between 2341 points and the level crossing, and X11 on the goods line between Ferrous Fragmenters and Wm622.

Could somebody assist me to understand their purpose and operation?

Thanks
Jamie




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Jamie S (JAMS)
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"X" Signals 09/05/2021 at 18:49 #139408
headshot119
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There's various ones around that area, I believe looking at the scheme plan that they're set back lights to aid drivers propelling trains back. Not sure if they actually get used mind.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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"X" Signals 10/05/2021 at 08:15 #139421
kbarber
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If they're anything like the ones that used to exist at Euston, they are visible to a driver driving from the rear cab and facing where he's come from. The Euston ones controlled movements back from the carriage washer at Camden to Down Side Shed (aka Port Arthur). They showed a white light and were so placed that one would always be visible to the driver, who was permitted to keep setting back as long as he could see one illuminated, until he came under the control of Port Arthur shunters. If they were extinguished (or he lost sight of them for any other reason) he was required to stop immediately.

I would imagine these work similarly. But I'm intrigued that they have two aspects. I wonder if a red has been added to the original white in the same way as AOCL LC indications?

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"X" Signals 10/05/2021 at 08:49 #139422
Cedric
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The Euston ENX signals could also be used for setting back into the Backing Out Roads, and frequently were in my time there (1978-80). The shunter (who had to be riding in one of the two leading vehicles) would stop the train at the backing out road signal, or if it was off would just keep going until the train was in the station platform.

There was an incident whilst I was working there where the train was held in the Camden washer for quite a long time, and the shunter fell asleep. Eventually, the signalman set the road into the backing out roads, the ENX signals came off and off the train went. The shunter woke up when the train came off the road at the trap points on thr south end of the backing out road. After that, they introduced a special instruction that when setting back from Camden using the ENX signals the Camden shunter had to get a positive OK from the shunter on the train before the Euston signalmman was allowed to set the road.

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"X" Signals 10/05/2021 at 08:52 #139423
9pN1SEAp
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I wonder how often they even get used; they seem to be in odd places compared to relevant pointwork and mostly wrong-way for propelling moves.

Would these be controlled from Wembley, or locally and are they interlocked with the panel?

Jamie S (JAMS)
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