Assessment 2 - PTS

Question 1

What is Personal Track Safety?

Answer 1

Is a qualification required by people who:

1. Go on a line
2. Go within 3 metres of a line
3. Carry out engineering or technical work on a platform within 1.25 metres of its edge.

Question 2

What Conductor equipment must be carried at all times? (11 items)

Answer 2

1. Railway bag
2. Northern branded hi-visibility vest
3. Company phone
4. Toclite handlamp
5. Flags: 1x green and 1x red
6. Train keys
7. TOC watch
8. Whistle
9. First aid kit
10. Biohazard bag
11. DNA kit
12. Notebook

Question 3

Name all components that make up a track and their purposes.

Answer 3

1. Running rails - are the rails which the train wheels run on.
2. Sleepers - support the rails and keep them the correct distance apart.
3. Fastenings - hold the running rail to the sleeper.
4. Ballast - keep the track and sleepers in place.

Question 4

Name all components that make up a track layout and their purposes.

Answer 4

1. Cess - is the area alongside the railway.
2. Four-foot - is the space between the two run in rails of one line.
3. Six-foot - is the space between a pair of lines.
4. Ten-foot - is the wider space between two sets of lines.

Question 5

What is a facing point?

Answer 5

Is when you join a smaller line from a main line (slip road joining motorway).

Question 6

What is a trailing point?

Answer 6

Is when you join a main line from a smaller line (slip road to motorway).

Question 7

What are the 7 general environment hazards?

Answer 7

1. Trains
2. Electrification
3. Debris
4. Slips, trips, falls
5. Vegetation
6. Tunnels
7. Weather

Question 8

What is the safest distance away from a train passing at 100mph or less?

Answer 8

1.25 metres
(4 Feet)

Question 9

What is the safest distance away from a train passing at 101-125mph?

Answer 9

2 metres
(6foot 6inches)

Question 10

What are the 4 types of signals and their meanings? (Colours)

Answer 10

GREEN = Proceed
DOUBLE YELLOW = Slow down
YELLOW = Next signal is red
RED = Stop (Danger ahead at risk of SPAD)

Question 11

Trains can pass signals at danger at up to what mph?

Answer 11

50mph

Question 12

What 3 things are considered as ‘On or near the line’?

Answer 12

1. On the line itself
2. Within 3 metres of the nearest running rail and there is no permanent fence of structure between you or the line.
3. Within 1.25 metres of the platform edge and you are carrying out engineering or technical work.

You are not on or near the line if you are on a level crossing.

Question 13

What is the definition of ‘Lineside’?

Answer 13

When you are between the railway boundary and the area called ‘On or near the line’.

You are not on the lineside if you are on a station platform.

Question 14

What is the purpose of Axel Counters?

Answer 14

They count the number of wheels on a train as it enters/leaves the section.

Question 15

What is the minimum distance tools and equipment must be away from the track and why?

Answer 15

Must be at least 2 metres away from any running line as this prevents them from being blown on the track by a passing train. They can also interfere with the track circuit and axel counters.

Question 16

Name all 11 OLE’s.

Answer 16

1. Catenary line - runs across top.
2. Dropper - little wire that drops down.
3. Contact wire - gives the train power.
4. Head span wire - top wire.
5. Cross span wire (neutral) - runs across track.
6. Cross span wire (live) - runs across track.
7. Insulators - springs.
8. Mast structure post - post.
9. Structure number plate - identifies which post is which.
10. Along track conductors - along either side.
11. Bond - bonds track together.

Question 17

What is the definition of ‘Limited Clearance’ sign?

Answer 17

There is no position of safety on this side of the railway for the length of the structure. You must not enter or stand at that location when a train is approaching.

Question 18

What is the definition of ‘No Refuge’ sign?

Answer 18

There is no position of safety on this side of the railway for the length of the structure. However, there are positions of safety or refuges on the opposite side of the railway line.

Question 19

What is the definition of a ‘Prohibition’ sign?

Answer 19

You must not pass beyond this sign while trains are running unless you are carrying out emergency protection or know when trains have been stopped.

Question 20

What can be found inside a ‘Signal Post Telephone’?

Answer 20

1. Phonetic alphabet
2. Grid number
3. Details of controlling signaller

Question 21

What is an ‘Authorised Walking Route’?

Answer 21

Is a safe access to and from work. If you identify a hazard on a walking route, ensure you report it via the quickest means possible to Northern Control.

Question 22

In order, starting with the safest, name all safe walking routes when crossing railway lines (3 things).

Answer 22

1. Public paths / authorised walking routes.
2. Cess.
3. Four-foot facing the direction of travel.

Question 23

What 3 things must you avoid when walking on a railway line alone?

Answer 23

1. Never walk in the six or ten-foot.
2. Avoid walking on sleepers, running rails, cable covers etc.
3. Beware of general hazards such as vegetation and debris.

Question 24

How should you cross Conductor Rail when crossing a railway line?

Answer 24

Find a gap or cross in a place with protective guarding. If there is no gap or protective guarding, step over the Conductor Rail in one go, never inbetween.

Question 25

What 4 things must you look out for before crossing a railway line?

Answer 25

1. Look for bridges, subways, level crossing or authorised walking routes. 2. Establish safety on the other side of the line. 3. Have visibility of approaching trains from both sides. 4. When safe to cross, cross as quickly as possible (look both ways and do not cross on an angle).

Question 26

What are the different types of horn blasts and their meanings?

Answer 26

1. One blast means a train is moving in the usual direction. 2. A series of short blasts mean a train is moving in the wrong direction.

Question 27

What 6 things must you do if you ‘Get caught out’ when a train is approaching?

Answer 27

1. Lie on the ground (can lie in six or ten-foot, never four) 2. Gather all clothing 3. Stay in position until the train has passed 4. Move to a position of safety once certain the train has passed 5. Report a ‘near miss’ to the Signaller 6. Complete form A

Question 28

How should you structure a safety critical communication call? (5 points)

Answer 28

1. State who you are (name, role, TOC) 2. Check you’re speaking with the right person 3. Give your location and reason for calling 4. Clarify if any assistance required 5. Check their understanding by getting them to read back your message

Question 29

Name 6 phrases you can use when making a safety critical communication call.

Answer 29

1. This is an emergency 2. Say again from 3. Repeat back 4. Speak slower 5. Over 6. Out

Question 30

Name 6 phrases you cannot use when making a safety critical communication call.

Answer 30

1. Over and out 2. Roger 3. Umm’s and err’s 4. Slang 5. Jargon 6. Regional expressions

Question 31

Name all 9 dangers to trains

Answer 31

1. Door open 2. Insecure load 3. Fire 4. Hot axel box 5. Tail lights not lit or missing 6. Headlights not lit 7. Flashing headlights (Hazard warning indicators) 8. Horn - long continuous blasts 9. Hand signal waved vigorously from Driver or guard

Question 32

What is a GSM-R and its purpose?

Answer 32

A GSM-R is used by Drivers and Conductors to contact Signaller, ECO, Control and other organisations. The red button is used to initiate an emergency call and sends an audible warning to all trains to stop.

Question 33

Name 8 reasons to stop other trains in an emergency (DAFT LOAF)

Answer 33

1. Damage to structures and earthworks above or below the line 2. Animals, large within boundary 3. Fires 4. Track defects 5. Lights out on an emergency indicator 6. Obstructions 7. Animals, small on or near the line (6 or less) 8. Floods

Question 34

What 5 actions must all Conductors carry out in an emergency?

Answer 34

1. Check if any obstructions (if unsure, treat as obstructed) 2. Decide fastest way to stop trains 3. Place a track circuit operating clip (TCOC) on every line obstructed 4. Contact the Driver and decide who is carrying out emergency protection 5. If the Driver is incapacitated or you cannot contact them, you must carry out emergency protection yourself

Question 35

Name both ways to stop a train in daylight and darkness or limited visibility.

Answer 35

1. Daylight - raise both arms above your head and show a red flag 2. Darkness - show a red light or any other light waved vigorously from Driver

Question 36

What are the 3 emergency protection steps that must be carried out if your train has been derailed?

Answer 36

1. Place a TCOC on every obstructed line 2. Show a hand danger signal to any train approaching the obstruction 3. Protect the line with detonators

Question 37

What is a TCOC and its purpose?

Answer 37

TCOC’s are used to indicate if a line is occupied (2 per cab, 4 per train). TCOC’s can only be used once and removed from a line with a Signallers permission.

Question 38

How must you apply a TCOC near a Conductor/Third Rail?

Answer 38

Apply first clip further away from third rail.

Question 39

What is a Detonator and its purpose?

Answer 39

A detonator is used to alert drivers of a hazard on the line ahead (10 detonators per cab, 20 per train). Checked the first week of September per year and have a 5 year life span.

Question 40

How must detonators be placed when protecting a double tracked line?

Answer 40

Walk 1 1/4 miles on adjacent line facing the direction of travel and place 3 detonators 20 metres apart.

Question 41

What are the only instances you would place detonators before reaching 1 1/4 miles? (5 points)

Answer 41

1. Train approaching 2. Tunnels 3. If there’s a telephone (lineside, signal and or limited clearance) 4. Trailing point junction 5. Signal boxes

Question 42

How must detonators be placed when reaching a junction?

Answer 42

3 detonators, 20 metres apart before junction (this is to cover both lines).

Question 43

How must detonators be placed when reaching a telephone box?

Answer 43

3 detonators, 20 metres apart, 30 metres away from telephone or signal boxes facing traffic.

Question 44

How must detonators be placed when reaching a tunnel?

Answer 44

3 detonators, 20 metres apart at entrance of tunnel. If protection distance falls within tunnel, place at the tunnels exit.

Question 45

What action must you take when witnessing a person come into contact / danger of coming into contact with OLE?

Answer 45

Make an emergency call to the ECO via Signaller and follow the safety critical communications protocol.

Question 46

What is the safety critical communications protocol when requesting an emergency switch off? (6 steps)

Answer 46

1. Make sure you’re speaking to ECO/Signaller. 2. Give your location. 3. Ask for an emergency switch off. 4. ECO will confirm when this has been carried out. 5. Do not approach (residual voltage 2000 volts). 6. Become person in charge of electrical emergency.

Question 47

What is the safe working procedure when leaving the train in an emergency? (6 points)

Answer 47

1. Only leave the train if absolutely necessary - 3 points of contact when climbing down for the train to track. 2. Climb down backwards, using crew steps. 3. Know which lines are open to traffic. 4. Know where any areas of limited clearance are. 5. Know whether your own train is protecting you. 6. Identify a safe route for the full distance you need to walk.

Question 48

What does ‘TCOC’ stand for?

Answer 48

Track Circuit Operating Clip