14/02/2012 - Valentines Day or more importantly signals, signals and more signals...

Hi all

I'm writing this on Valentines Day and it has been a day of mixed signals.. No.. I haven't been left by my girlfriend but have spent the day studying the S modules of the rule book where we have learnt all about what signals are, how they differ and what they mean to the driver.

We also looked at the safety systems that are linked to the signalling systems such as  AWS (Automatic Warning System) and TPWS (Train Protection and Warning System).
We looked at how when we pass a green signal, we get a nice bell in the cab and all is well. However, when we pass a more restrictive signal (NOT green in other words!) we get a horn (no jokes please) and all is less good!!

TPWS goes one step further and is like a hidden eye in the cab. It watches the driver as he drives and steps in when he may approach a red signal to fast or worse pass a red signal (known as a SPAD or Signal Passed at Danger). It will put all the emergency brakes on and stop the train and has to be respected!

We also had a wander over to Basingstoke station and had a look round the station and at the infrastructure there. We were shown how as a train passed over to track circuit the signal behind it immediately goes back to danger, and also how points work. All in all an interesting day and going out in the afternoon made what was written on paper make sense.

Tomorrow will be much of the same and then on Thursday we are going out to some signal boxes and hopefully I can get some pictures, so stay tuned!!