Signals Flashcards
(97 cards)
1
Q
What is the main purpose of signalling?
A
To ensure there is one train in one section at any one time.
2
Q
What are the two main types of signals?
A
Colour light signals
Semaphore signals
3
Q
What are the two main systems used to trigger colour light signalling?
A
Track circuits
Axel counters
4
Q
What does a single red aspect mean?
A
Danger
Do not pass
5
Q
What does a single green aspect mean?
A
Proceed, Clear
6
Q
What does a single yellow aspect mean?
A
Caution,
Expect the next signal to be red (danger)
7
Q
What does a pair of yellow aspects mean?
A
Preliminary caution,
Expect the next signal to be caution (single yellow)
8
Q
When dispatching a train, what does a single or double yellow light mean?
A
Proceed
All aspects apart from red mean proceed, unless the red is fitted with an active position light
9
Q
On ground position signals, which light formation indicates proceed?
A
Two white lights displayed at 45 degrees
10
Q
When dispatching, what does a blank OFF indicator mean?
A
Stop
11
Q
What does a Banner repeater look like and what are the 3 stages?
A
12
Q
How do you recognise a co-acting signal?
A
It is a lower level duplication of the main signal
The signal plate has the suffix letters CA
13
Q
At what stations would you see a RA indicator?
A
London or Manchester
14
Q
What are the RA indicators used for?
A
Platform staff use them to convey the ready to start signal to the driver
This replaces the buzz buzz
15
Q
In a colour light signal area, how do you identify a distant signal?
A
A black signal plate with a white triangle on it
16
Q
How do you identify a “not in use” signal?
A
The signal will be covered and have a white cross displayed
17
Q
How do you identify an automatic signal?
A
It has a white plate with a black horizontal bar through the middle
18
Q
How can you identify a semi automatic signal?
A
It has a white plate with a horizontal black bar through the middle and the word SEMI above the bar
19
Q
How are automatic signals operated?
A
By the passage of trains, using either track circuits or axel counters
20
Q
What does SPAD stand for?
A
Signal Passed At Danger
21
Q
What does a red horizontal semaphore signal mean?
A
Stop
22
Q
What does a distant semaphore signal look like?
A
Yellow arm with black chevron (yellow light at night)
23
Q
What is the part of the line called between the Home signal and the Section signal?
A
Station Limits
(There’s not always a station within the station limits)
24
Q
What is the part of the track called between the Section signal and the following Home signal (which includes the distance signal)?
A
Block section
25
What does a red semaphore signal at 45 degrees mean?
Proceed / Off
26
What does a semaphore shunt signal look like?
White round disc with red bar across the middle
Horizontal for danger
45 degrees (with green light at night) for proceed at caution as far as the line is clear
27
Semaphore Stepped Route indicators are used at locations of diverging routes
Which signal relates to the main line?
The highest signal
Signal 1 relates to the route on the far left and then successive routes to the right
28
Route indications by stacked shunting signals, which signal relates to which track?
Signal 1 at the top of the stack relates to the route on the far left
As you work down it relates to successive routes to the right
(Top to bottom, Left to right)
29
What are the two main route indicators in colour light signalling?
Junction indicators (feathers)
Route indicator box (theatre box)
30
What does a flashing yellow aspect mean?
This tells the driver facing points at a junction ahead are set for a diverging route with a lower speed than that for the straight route.
31
When can you disregard the main aspect of a signal?
Only if the main aspect is fitted with a Subsidiary / Position light or you are working under special rules
32
How can you identify a controlled signal?
A black plate with the signal identification number on it
33
How do you identify a distant colour light signal?
A distant signal cannot show a stop aspect.
Can be identified by a white triangle or the letters R or RR on the identification plate
34
How do you identify an Intermediate Block Signal (IBS)?
White signal plate with vertical black line through.
35
What is the sequence of three aspect colour light signalling?
1 - Green = PROCEED, next signal displaying proceed aspect = top
2 - Yellow = CAUTION, proceed be prepared to stop at the next signal = middle
3 - Red = STOP DANGER = bottom
36
What is the sequence of four aspect colour light signalling?
1 - Green = PROCEED, next signal displaying proceed aspect = second from top.
2 - Double Yellow = PRELIMINARY CAUTION, proceed but be prepared to find the next signal displaying a single yellow aspect= top & second from bottom.
3 - Single Yellow = CAUTION, proceed be prepared to stop at the next signal = second from bottom.
4 - Red = STOP DANGER = bottom.
37
What does the “end of emergency special working” sign look like?
Yellow square with black EW on crossed diagonally with red line
38
What is the hand signal for Stop?
Both hands straight up in the air
Red light during darkness or poor visibility
Red flag during daylight
39
What is the order of signals in absolute block signalling?
Distant
Home
Section
40
In absolute block signalling what are station limits?
The part between the first home and the section signal controlled by the same signal box
41
How many stop signals can one signal box control?
5
4 home & 1 section
42
If the distant signal is showing off, what position is the home and section signal in?
Both the home and section signal must be off for the distant to be off
43
What is the area called between the distant signal and the first home signal?
Service breaking distance
44
Where is the AWS magnet in semaphore absolute block signalling?
180 metres before the distant signal
45
What is CP in semaphore absolute block signalling?
Clearance point,
The train has to pass 440 yards (1/4 mile) past the signal before the next signal can be pulled off
46
What is the 20/20 rule?
Be slowing down to 20 mph at least 200m before the signal and be able to stop 20 m before the signal
47
What does the white diamond attached to a signal post mean?
Track circuits fitted
48
Why might track circuits be fitted to a semaphore signal?
Because it's out of view of the signal box, so to let the signaller know when the train has arrived
49
What does the back of a semaphore stop and distant signal look like?
Stop signal is white with black line
Distant signal is white with black chevron
50
In absolute block signalling, which signals can have AWS magnets?
Only the distant signal
51
If you are unsure if a semaphore signal is off or on what should you do?
Stop the train before the signal, secure the train and call the signaller
52
What part of absolute block is classed as the block section?
From section signal, box A to the first home signal, box B
53
What does IBS stand for?
Intermediate Block Section
54
How do you identify an IBS stop signal?
The ID plate will be a white rectangle with a black line top to bottom
55
Which signal box controls any additional distant or stop signals in an Intermediate Block Section (IBS) area?
The signal box to the rear.
56
What does Intermediate Block Section (IBS) achieve?
It splits up a long block section into smaller sections letting more trains travel through whilst keeping one train in one section at any one time
57
What does a semaphore subsidiary signal look like?
A smaller signal arm which is either white with red line top and bottom or completely red
When on will show either a red, white or no light
When off will show a green light
Some have a letter C or S
58
Where would you find a subsidiary semaphore signal?
If used they are always attached underneath the main signal
59
What is a semaphore subsidiary signal used for?
When showing the off aspect you are signalled past the main signal aspect at danger under authority of the subsidiary signal
60
If stopping at any danger signal what must you do?
Switch on DRA and have full service brakes applied
61
What does the C or S mean when the semaphore subsidiary is in the off position?
C = Calling-On
S = Shunt Ahead only
It can also display no letter
62
What do semaphore shunting discs that can display a red aspect look like?
White circle with red line through the middle and red and green lights.
Works the same as a subsidiary signal.
63
Can you carry passengers when being signalled past a shunting disc?
No
64
How must you drive after passing an ON distant signal or any subsidiary signal?
At caution, at a speed which allows you to stop short of any train, obstruction or buffers.
65
What is a small semaphore signal arm?
It's a stop signal that controls movement into a loop, siding or no-block line.
Once cleared you must proceed at caution and be prepared to stop short of any train, vehicle or obstruction.
66
How do semaphore stepped diverging route indicators work?
The highest signal relates to the main route
Lower signals relate to progressive routes to left or right
67
What is the advantage of a directing distant signal?
A directing distant signal relates to the signal controlling the junction signal, which enables you to keep moving and not come to a near stand before clearing the junction signal
68
How are stacked shunting signals read?
Top to bottom
Left to right
69
Why would you find a distant semaphore and stop semaphore signal on the same signal post?
This happens when the block sections are small, these signals are controlled by different signal boxes
70
When might you find an outer and inner distant signal?
When the block sections are close together and outer then inner distant signal may be used to increase breaking distance
71
How do you know if a semaphore signal is not in use?
It's marked with a large white cross
72
Where might you find a distant board?
On approach to
A colour light stop signal
A semaphore stop signal
A stop board
A points indicator
A buffer stop
73
What do shunting signals that don't show red look like?
Either black or white discs with a thick yellow line through the middle.
Moves to diagonal and can show green light for clear
Can also be 3 light in black triangle
74
What is a co-acting signal?
A lower down version of the main aspect signal positioned on the same post for visual purposes
75
What is a fringe signal box?
A fringe signal box controls colour light and semaphore signals transitioning from track circuits (TC) to absolute block (AB) either at the start or the end.
76
How is permission given to move over points worked from a signal box?
Verbally
Day light = arm raised above head
Night = white light moved quickly twisting wrist
When clear of points, if no shunter give the signaller one short blast of horn
77
Can you shunt outside the home signal?
No - you are not allowed to shunt past a home signal (only with the signallers permission) as another train may have passed the distance signal and not be aware of another train in the section.
78
Who controls a good loop and a good line?
Good loop = one signaller, on TCB it's one section
Good line = two or more signallers, on TBC it's more than one section.
79
How do you identify a three state banner repeating signal?
80
What does an out of use semaphore signal look like?
81
What signalling board WARNS that ERTMS cab signalling is about to start?
82
What signalling board indicates that ERTMS cab signalling is about to start?
83
What signalling board indicates the end of ERTMS signalling?
84
How are coloured light junction indicators read?
Top to bottom, inside to outside.
85
Reasons for passing signals at danger with authority of signaller?
DEALERS SEE SPEED PE
1 - Defective Signal
2 - Electric Train
3 - Assistance
4 - Level Crossing
5 - Examine The Line
6 - Restrictive Acceptance (Absolute Block Only)
7 - Shunting
8 - Starting Ahead Of Signal
9 - Engineering Possession
10 - Engineering Worksite
11 - Single Line Working
12 - Pilot
13 - Evacuate Passengers
14 - Emergency Permissive Working
15 - Divided Train
16 - Protection Zone
17 - ERTMS
86
What must you do if the distance semaphore signal is at caution?
If the distance semaphore signal is at caution you must be prepared to stop at any of the stop signals controlled by that signal box (either Home and/or Section).
87
If you have stopped or nearly stopped at a colour light signal that cannot display a yellow aspect or a semaphore signal when they are at danger and either change to a proceed aspect what must you do?
If you have stopped or nearly stopped at a colour light signal that cannot display a yellow aspect or a semaphore signal when they are at danger and either change to a proceed aspect you must be prepared to stop at the next signal worked by the same signal box.
88
When shunting if there is no signal at a set of points what must you do?
When shunting if there is no signal at a set of points you must wait for the signaller to clamp them closed.
89
Explain Track Circuit Operation?
90
In colour light signalling explain ‘Overlap’
91
Describe how position lights that display a yellow aspect work?
92
What does double blocking a junction mean?
93
Can passenger train accept a position light to enter a platform?
Yes
94
Can a passenger train accept a position light to leave a platform?
No - unless informed by signaller or by prior arrangement. ECS can.
95
If an ‘X’ is displayed in a theatre box with a position light what does this mean?
An ‘X’ in the theatre box means you are making a movement against the normal direction of travel.
96
What is a preliminary route indicator?
97
How many lenses does a position light signal associated with a main aspect have?
2 - White at 45°, when lit it authorises the driver to proceed at caution towards the next train, signal or buffer stop and be prepared to stop short of any obstruction.
