Week 4 - Line Blockages

Question 1

Who can request a line blockage under TS1 Reg 13.1?

Answer 1

• Station staff
• Train driver
• DP (Designated Persons)

Question 2

What are the reasons someone may ask for a line blockage under TS1 Reg 13.1?

Answer 2

• Station staff need to go on track to retrieve items at a station platform
• Driver needs to block a line for them or another member of train crew to walk alongside their train
• DP needs to walk with a group to a train stopped due to a failure or other incident
• Personnel need to work on the outside of their train because of a failure or other incident or check that equipment on an OTM is correctly positioned
• If a train or OTM is within a PZ the ES (engineering supervisor) or SWL can ask you to block an adjacent line

Question 3

Which lines have to be blocked when an item is to be retrieved from a platform line? (TS1 Reg 13.1.2)

Answer 3

The affected platform line and any line adjacent to that platform line

Question 4

What assurances must the signaller give to the person requesting the passage of trains to be stopped before giving the authority to start the activity during a line blockage? (TS1 Reg 13.1.3)

Answer 4

Confirm to the person concerned that the line will stay blocked until that person tells you that the protection is no longer required

Question 5

What must the signaller remind the person requesting the blockage before they give permission to start the activity? (TS1 Reg 13.1.3)

Answer 5

Remind the person about any any other lines that are still open for normal working

Question 6

Who can request a line blockage under TS1 Reg 13.2?

Answer 6

• COSS (Controller of Site Safety)
• IWA (Individual Working Alone)
• SWL (Safe Work Leader)
• PC (Protection Controller)

Question 7

What arrangements must be agreed with a COSS before granting a line blockage? (TS1 Reg 13.2.2)

Answer 7

• Line to be blocked
• Locations between which the work will take place
• Nature of the work
• Amount of time required to do the work
• Time after which permission can be given for the line blockage to start
• Which signals or block markers will protect the activity (including those in both directions on a single or bi-directional line)
• Any additional protection needed if the work will affect the safety of the line
• Arrangements if single line working is taking place
• Arrangements if any level crossings affected by the line blockage

Question 8

When can you grant a line blockage when a train is within the limits of the line blockage? (TS1 Reg 13.2.3)

Answer 8

• The train is disabled OR the driver of the train has confirmed that the train is at a stand and will make no further movements without your permission
• You and the COSS are sure that all trains have passed the location where the activity is to take place and it is published in the SBSI’s

Question 9

When can you always grant a line blockage when a train is within the limits of the line blockage? (TS1 Reg 13.2.3)

Answer 9

• The train is disabled OR the driver of the train has confirmed that the train is at a stand and will make no further movements without your permission

Question 10

What are the types of additional protection for a line blockage? (TS1 Reg 13.2.4)

Answer 10

• Disconnecting signalling equipment
• T-COD
• Detonator
• EPR (Engineering Possession Reminder)
• Token
• Lock out device
• Route barring

Question 11

Do we need a new NR3180 form when the line that needs to be blocked or the protection arrangements agreed are changed? (TS1 Reg 13.2.9)

Answer 11

Yes

Question 12

Can the COSS use the same authority number when resuming a line blockage? (TS1 Reg 13.2.9)

Answer 12

No, they need a new authority number each time the line blockage is resumed

Question 13

What do we need to find out when personnel are working on or near points under TS1 Reg 13? (TS1 Reg 13.3)

Answer 13

• Which points are affected
• The position the points must be in
• How long the work will take
• Whether the points will be secured or the points machine will be isolated

Question 14

When granting a line blockage, when is it necessary to hold the signal at danger in rear of the protecting signal at danger? (TS1 Reg 13.2.2)

Answer 14

• When the line blockage is within 200m of the protecting signal

AND

• Safety of the line is affected

Question 15

During a line blockage where the work affects the safety of the line, and within 200m of the protecting signal, when can the protecting signal be passed at danger? (TS1 Reg 13.2.2)

Answer 15

Never

Question 16

During a line blockage where the work affects the safety of the line, and within 200m of the protecting signal, when can the additional signal maintained at danger be passed at danger? (TS1 Reg 13.2.2)

Answer 16

When it was agreed with the COSS before granting the line blockage AND when the train needs to reach a:

• Station
• Siding
• Crossover being used for SLW

Question 17

If the line blockage was protected by signalling equipment that was disconnected, what must you do after the line blockage is given up or suspended? (TS1 Reg 13.2.7)

Answer 17

You must arrange for a signalling technician to make the necessary reconnections

Question 19

What must you do when the first train is passing over the affected portion of a line after a line blockage that has affected the safety of the line? (TS1 Reg 13.2.8)

Answer 19

• You must specially watch the operation of track circuits during the passage of the first train over each line that was affected by the line blockage {signalled normally}
• You must not allow a second train to pass over the line that was affected by the line blockage unless there is a controlled signal which you have replaced to danger between the first and second trains

Question 19

A line blockage has been given up, where work affected the safety of the line. The first train is passing over the affected area. When can you allow a second train to pass over the line that was affected by the line blockage? (TS1 Reg 13.2.8)

Answer 19

When there is a controlled signal which you have replaced to danger between the first and second train

Question 20

When must you always use additional protection? (TS1 Reg 13.2.4)

Answer 20

When the safety of the line is affected

Question 21

A line blockage has been taken beyond a set of facing points. What conditions must apply before you may allow a train to pass over an unaffected route? (TS1 Reg 13.2.2)

Answer 21

• You have agreed it with the COSS before the line blockage is granted
• The points are set in the correct position for the unaffected route