Re: [General] Signal failures

["Tony Gatt" <baulko@tig.com.au>]

Sam Eades <eadess@yahoo.com> wrote in message
399C7B7F.DB85087@yahoo.com">news:399C7B7F.DB85087@yahoo.com...
>
>
> Tony Gatt wrote:
>
> > Sam Eades <eadess@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > 399B3A20.CD6D392C@yahoo.com">news:399B3A20.CD6D392C@yahoo.com...
> > > I have been working at Thomastown station (on the single line between
Keon
> > Park
> > > and Lalor on the Epping line) when all Automatic signals between
Lalaor
> > and Keon
> > > Park have failed. This has required the driver to stop at each
automatic
> > signal
> > > (they are only about a train length apart) for 30 secs, then proceed
with
> > > caution to the next. It has added about 15 to 20 mins to the journey
time.
> >
> > Yes, and by observing the rules correctly, he made it to his destination
> > without incident :)
>
> I'm not saying that he shouldn't have done what he did, I think that he
was
> totally in the right. I'm just commenting on how 1 computer failing can
cause 20
> min+ delays for every train.

I am agreeing with you, although it takes longer, the safety aspect is still
there.
>
> An idea I have for alleviating problems such as these is perhaps a switch
on the
> signal so the Automatic Signal can be "Switched Out". This switch would
> extingush the signal lamps and lower the trip arm, as well as extending
the
> track circuit to the next fixed signal. So instead of having 2 short
sections
> with 1 defective and 1 operational signal, you have 1 long section with 1
> operational signal. Could it work?

No. The "normal" state of a track circuit is "occupied" If it is as simple
as a dodgy trk cct relay maybe it could be overridden, but if it is a broken
rail or broken trk cct bond (if they still exist between KPK and EPP) then
the cct will still fail and remain down.

Ian may be able to correct me or elaborate here, but I wouldn't even
consider it.

Victoria no longer have provision for pilot staff working do they? There
used to be half a pilot staff on the side of the KPK and LAL panels.

Tony.

>
> Sam
>