My dad made several of these films during his years as a SR signalman but never have managed to find them, he did one I remember for relief workings, would love to find them as he hated them having a proper stutter and really got a lot of camera fright lol
That signal is on a line I drive by currently. Quiet weird as it's right near T22, which is seen in one of the shots, it's has the most SPAD's in the country
It's supposed to be "proceed at caution," it means to take the defective signal as caution, a single yellow light, and be prepared to stop at the next signal. Also, observe and be prepared to stop for any obstructions. So what matters is not how fast he accelerates, it's basically his top speed and sighting distance. I believe normally you are allowed up to 50 MPH under caution, subject to line speed and these restrictions.
If you watch a number of these signalling videos, you'll see the same scenes popping up with the original audio under the newer one - voiced by the same guy
Hand signaling video for a training video it missed one important thing the flagman did not after receiving. Instructions from the signalman , repeat the instruction back to the signalman ,as should have been done, for safety and the the instructions were under stood, and no confusion took place. This was standard expected practice , when passing or receiving instruction over the phone, on BR
Standard, yes, but there is another signalling video which follows the procedure followed by the man in this video... I presume both were valid and that one was used more often then the other. Also, there may have been some prior instruction before he took up duty at Tango 2 9
I did hand signaling and the only instruction before hand would be the signal no. to be flagged on arrival at the signal signal , you reported to the signalman gave him your name and grade , then when the signalman gave you an instruction , for the train Driver,you would repeat it back each time ," Pass this signal DT 234 at danger and obey all other," you repeated the instruction so there was no risk of confusion and that the instruction was understood , this was in the correct procedure as per operating instruction, the 40 years I did the job on the platform a signalman and train crew after my box shut in the late 70s
blimey brilliant!! yeah me and the missus drive our trains along there regularly and it all looks so familiar..mad!! that bridge in the background..tennison road..has been replaced now by a huge green bridge. i didn’t recognise that hand signaller and the driver i didn’t recognise!!! so funny to hear how rail comms have changed too. brilliant!!!
So did you have to stand at attention all day holding up your red flag, gazing hopefully into the distance for a train to appear, or in practice did the signalman let you know when a train was coming?
Dear god, I cannot figure out the time signature for the music. I thought it could be in 3/4 or 5/4 time, but I think it may actually be in Elephant/Portugal time. XD
I was a Rules & Traction Instructor at this venue. I knew the producer of this film and the person 'acting' as handsignaller. Although good communications always featured as essential, I don't think use of the phonetic alphabet and associated practices were featured in the Rule Book at that time.
If the hand signaller converts a signal to danger, does this set the preceding signals to caution? I’m just wondering if that’s the case or whether the danger aspect is just thrown in the driver’s face? Many thanks!
It will revert the proceeding signals but you'd only give the instruction at s time when this wouldn't happen. The previous controlled signal would be maintained at danger while you did it too.
You are right. T29 is the signal on the Down Slow line just past Norwood Junction. The second signal shown, T46, is I think on the Up Line just past Waddon.
Ok.....I have picked up on one fault in this video, the chap on the signal duty didn’t put a detonator on the line in case the driver drove past his red flag 🚩 and light.....am I right or am I right? 10 points to me
Definitely. I had to go and assist a failed train the other day and the driver of that train had placed 3 detonators on the rail as well as displaying a red flag. I was disappointed when the signaller said for the driver to lift the protection. I was REALLY looking forward to exploding the dets; did it once on the depot years ago so some trainees could hear what they sounded like. Would have been the first time exploding them in anger in over 21 years of driving trains, but no joy!😫🤣
Surely he should place 1 det on the line on the approach to the signal…….the det is to be removed once instructions are received, the det is there Incase the driver doesn’t notice the red signal and or handsignaller.
Why did they need to manually flag? They mentioned "track failure", but does that mean the signal wasn't functioning? Like.. Why didn't they just mark the signal Danger remotely, and then remotely set it to Caution (instead of having the guy do the same thing).. This scenario seems rather contrived.
TheDarkFalcon automatic signals controlled by the passage of trains cannot be put to danger or set by the signaller. The only way to change them is to use the signal post replacement key. So yes, like you say if there was a track failure or a signal failure you would use this method.
That’s exactly it. Auto signals work by the passage of trains and have no input from the signaller. So if there is a track circuit fault or the section ahead of that signal needed to be blocked for some reason then a hand signalman would be required. Auto signals are identified by a black sign with a white horizontal band under the Signal number. You would also expect to do this if taking a Line Blockage from an auto signal and would also place a red lamp in the 4ft (normally a stop board) and 3 detonators beyond the Signal. All the replacement switch does is drop the signalling power to the signal and it defaults to danger (red) This is for track circuit signalling, for modern axle counter signalling auto signals can also be replaced to danger by the signaller so Signal Replacement switches are gradually dying out
He is using the telephone to contact the signaller, and therefore he can be a bit more casual, as the telephone is unlikely to mangle the communications.
+Noah Berger they are used as an emergency signal to tell drivers to stop quickly in an emergency, they are only normally used now when lines are being worked on and are carried on trains in case of a breakdown
All the hand signalman needed to do was to tell each driver to apply 'The rule' at an automatic signal thats failed and being passed at danger, No further instructions would be needed.
@paul speight I think he means the fact that the use of the phonetic alphabet is non-existent in all communication for one. Tee twenty nine instead of Tango Two Nine? No confirming which box or panel he is talking to? No use of headcodes? No repeating back instructions to confirm they have been heard and understood correctly? No 'OUT' sign off to indicate the conversation is over? Like he said, the communication protocol was appalling. And that's not to mention no detonator maintained on the line for approaching trains or the fact he held a red flag in the same hand as he was displaying a yellow flag to proceed! And that was supposed to be a training video?
