Broken Rails

Question 1

What must you do if you are told about a broken, distorted or damaged rail or that both fishplates are broken on the same rail? TS1-17.1.1 (3)

Answer 1

• stop trains from passing over the affected line
• tell Operations Control
• arrange for a rail defect examiner (RDE) or rail defect nominee (RDN) to examine the rail or fishplates concerned.

Question 2

What must you do with trains when the RDE or RDN has examined the defective rail or fishplates, and gives permission for trains to proceed at a specified reduced speed? TS1-17.1.2 (4)

Answer 2

• stop each train over the affected line
• tell the driver what has happened
• tell the driver the location of the defective rail or broken fishplates
• instruct the driver not to exceed the specified r

Question 3

Do you need to stop trains over any adjacent line, when a train is passing over the defective rail or broken fishplates? TS1-17.1.2 (1)

Answer 3

Yes: no trains can pass over any adjacent line when a train is passing over the defective rail or broken fishplates.

Question 4

How long must you continue to instruct Drivers to proceed at the speed authorised by the RDE or RDN? TS1-17.1.2 (3)

Answer 4

You must continue to instruct drivers to proceed at the speed
authorised by the RDN or RDE until one of the following applies.
• The RDN or RDE advises that the condition of the defect has
worsened and train movements must be stopped.
• An emergency speed restriction is imposed over the line or lines
concerned.
• An RDE authorises that normal speed of trains may be resumed.

Question 5

Who must you tell and what must you arrange for if you are told that one fishplate of a pair is broken? TS1-17.1.3 (2)

Answer 5

You must tell Operations Control and arrange for a competent engineer to examine the fishplate concerned.

Question 6

What must you do with trains when one fishplate of a pair is broken? TS1-17.1.3 (4)

Answer 6

• stop each train over the affected line
• tell the driver what has happened
• tell the driver the location of the broken fishplate
• instruct the driver not to exceed 20 mph (30 km/h) over the broken fishplate.
You do not need to stop trains on any adjacent line.

Question 7

When one fishplate of a pair is broken, when do you no longer need to give Drivers instructions? TS1-17.1.3 (2)

Answer 7

The broken fishplate has been replaced, or

An ESR has been imposed.

Question 8

Do you need to stop trains over any adjacent line, when a train is passing over a broken fishplate? TS1-17.1.3 (1)

Answer 8

No; you do not need to stop trains on any adjacent line.