Examining the Line, OLE, Bridges and Adverse Weather

Question 1

What might you be asked to examine the line for?

Answer 1

Track defects, objects or obstructions that could prevent the usual movement of trains

Question 2

How would you be informed if you are required to examine the line?

Answer 2

Informed by signaller on the move.

Question 3

If the signaller was unable to clear a signal due to the potential defect, what might you be authorised to do?

Answer 3

PSAD

Question 4

What must you reach with the signaller before examining the line?

Answer 4

Clear understanding on what you are looking for & the affected portion of track

Question 5

How must you proceed when examining the line?

Answer 5

Proceed at caution and follow any instructions

Question 6

How must you proceed when examining an affected portion inside a tunnel?

Answer 6

Max. 10mph

Question 7

How must you proceed when examining for a suspected track defect?

Answer 7

Max. 20mph

Question 8

When must you be accompanied when examining the line?

Answer 8

When in the dark, in poor visibility or in a tunnel

Question 9

Can you examine the line with failed headlights?

Answer 9

No, do not examine the line unless a bardic is fitted

Question 10

Who might be asked to examine the OLE?

Answer 10

Diesel trains

Question 11

When must you be accompanied when examining the OLE?

Answer 11

In the dark/poor visibility/in a tunnel

Question 12

How must you proceed when examining the OLE?

Answer 12

Max. 20mph

Question 13

If you are asked to determine if the OLE is safe for trains to proceed using own tractive power/coast underneath with pantograph lowered, what criteria must be met?

Answer 13

• Obstruction not more than 6 inches below contact wire (sagging=dangerous)
• No more than 2 consecutive droppers have come off
• Object/defect is more than 3 OLE structures away from tunnel or overbridges

If all of above apply, safe to pass

Question 14

If your train has caused sequential tripping, what may you be asked to do?

Answer 14

Examine the OLE

Question 15

How must you examine the OLE, if possible?

Answer 15

Without leaving train/via CCTV

Question 16

What must you consider before leaving your train to examine the OLE?

Answer 16

Always consider conditions before leaving the train and only leave with permission from the signaller. Ensure no OLE in vicinity of door before leaving

Question 17

What are your actions if the conditions change when examining the OLE from outside of your train?

Answer 17

Stop and return to the train immediately. Do not continue your examination until OLE switched off.

Question 18

How should you always treat OLE?

Answer 18

As live and dangerous (even if switched off)

Question 19

What is an overbridge?

Answer 19

Where traffic travels over the railway with trains underneath

Question 20

What is an underbridge?

Answer 20

Where traffic travels under the railway with trains on the bridge itself

Question 21

What might bridge strikes result in?

Answer 21

ESRs/TSRs being imposed- do not accelerate until whole train leaves bridge

Question 22

If you are examining a bridge after a strike, how must you proceed?

Answer 22

Max. 5mph and do not pass under if unsafe:
- Stop train
- Check for obvious damage/debris on line
- Tell signaller if safe for passage of trains

Question 23

What depth of snow must be reported to the signaller?

Answer 23

If snow deeper than 8 inches above railhead

Question 24

What speed must you travel at in snow?

Answer 24

Line speed (unless in disc brake trains) but drive to conditions

Question 25

What is there a risk of when temperatures drop below 0 degrees?

Answer 25

Frozen brakes

Question 26

What must be done when snow is falling, fallen snow is being disturbed and blown into undercarriage of train or in freezing conditions?

Answer 26

Extra running brake tests

Question 27

What brake step must be used initially when performing a running brake test in snow?

Answer 27

Step 3- no need to test any other brake steps

Question 28

Why is an initial step 3 application required only?

Answer 28

To generate heat and test braking performance of unit

Question 29

How regularly do running brake tests need to be conducted in snow?

Answer 29

Every 3-5 minutes

Question 30

How regularly do running brake tests need to be conducted in freezing conditions?

Answer 30

Every 2-3 minutes

Question 31

When driving a disc brake train in snow, how must you carry out a running brake test?

Answer 31

Travel at 10mph below line speed (no need to go less than 50mph) then RBT in step 3 to reduce speed by further 10mph - if brakes operate normally, return to initial reduced speed

Question 32

When driving a tread brake train in snow, how must you carry out a running brake test?

Answer 32

Travel at line speed. RBT in step 3 to reduce speed by 10mph, if brakes operate normally, return to line speed.

Question 33

What are your actions if a tread brake train is coupled to a disc brake train in snow?

Answer 33

Travel at 10mph below line speed (no need to go less than 50mph). RBT in step 3 to reduce by 10mph.

Question 34

When must flood water be reported to the signaller immediately?

Answer 34

Where flood water is affecting the running of trains

Question 35

If flood water is affecting the running of trains, how must you report this to the signaller?

Answer 35

Via an emergency call

Question 36

What must you confirm to the signaller when you believe that flood water is affecting the running of trains?

Answer 36

If flood water has or is likely to move ballast.

Question 37

What depths of water must be reported to the signaller?

Answer 37

When flood water reaches the bottom of the railhead or surpasses it.

Question 38

What speed can trains travel at if flood water reaches bottom of railhead?

Answer 38

Line speed

Question 39

What speed can trains travel at if flood water reaches top of railhead?

Answer 39

5mph

Question 40

What speed can trains travel at if flood water surpasses top of railhead?

Answer 40

Services suspended

Question 41

What speed can you travel at in fog?

Answer 41

At line speed but slow down if you lose bearings

Question 42

What issue can headlights present in fog?

Answer 42

Can produce glare but must remain switched on (to be seen, not to see)

Question 43

What speed restrictions apply if your AWS is isolated in fog?

Answer 43

40mph with or without competent person present

Question 44

What might be implemented when there are strong winds?

Answer 44

Blanket speed restrictions

Question 45

How would you be notified of blanket speed restrictions?

Answer 45

In the Late Notice Case/on the move via area broadcast

Question 46

What are your actions if you believe there to be a track defect?

Answer 46

Report to the signaller immediately

Question 47

What information must you provide to the signaller if reporting a suspected track defect?

Answer 47

Location, whether close to a bridge or viaduct and any other information.

Question 48

How should you describe the track defect?

Answer 48

As a defect that is seen (definitely broken), a defect that is felt (unusual movement of train- lurch, dip, shaking) or a defect that is heard (bang, rattle or grinding)