7.3 Railway Telephones, Radio & Mobile Phones

7.3 Railway Telephones, Radio & Mobile Phones

There are many telephones on the railway, and in an emergency the nearest one may be your fastest way to stop trains. You must be able to recognise them from the signs on them, know which ones connect to whom, and follow the rules for using radios and mobile phones safely.

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Railway Telephones (PTS Handbook Section 1.5)

Most railway telephones go straight through to the controlling signal box. The two most common types are:

• lineside phones, usually found near points;
• signal post telephones (SPTs), mounted on or near a signal.

They are identified by the signs shown on them:

   LINESIDE PHONE        SIGNAL POST TELEPHONE      ELECTRIFICATION PHONE
   +-----------+          +-----------+              +-----------+
   |  \     /  |          | / / / / / |              |  (red     |
   |    \ /    |          |/ / / / / /|              |  handset) |
   |    / \    |          | / / / / / |              | Electrifi-|
   |  /     \  |          |/ / / / / /|              |  cation   |
   +-----------+          +-----------+              +-----------+
   black cross on white   black and white stripes    red handset on white

Using a Signal Post or Lineside Telephone

• Stand in a position of safety before you pick up the handset. Many signals are close to the line or between lines.
• When the signaller answers, say who you are, your role, your employer and where you are calling from, using the signal number (for example "mike papa one four zero signal"), and follow the communication rules in section 7.1.
• In an emergency, start with "This is an emergency call" (section 8.1). The PTS handbook says a call to stop train movements can be made to the signaller using any lineside phone or a mobile phone.

Telephones in Limited Clearance Areas

Some telephones are in places where there is limited clearance between the telephone and the adjacent lines. They are identified by a limited clearance sign on or near the telephone, or on the signal post or gantry. HB1 section 11 says you may use these telephones only in an emergency, and then only if no other form of communication is available.

When the Phone Does Not Get Through

• If the signaller does not answer, or the phone is faulty, try the next railway phone or your mobile phone using the number from your briefing, and report the faulty phone afterwards.
• If the line is unsafe and you cannot reach the signaller, protect the line as described in section 8.2. Rule Book Handbook 2 says that if you reach a telephone linked to the signal box while walking out to protect the line, you place three detonators on the affected line first and then speak to the signaller; if the signaller tells you the line is protected, you do not need to continue to the 2-kilometre point.

Calling the Electrical Control Operator

A phone marked with a red handset and the word Electrification connects to the electrical control room. When you contact the ECO, Rule Book Handbooks 16 and 17 say you must give your name, job title and employer, the line or lines concerned, your location (and on AC lines the number on the nearest OLE structure), and the telephone or radio number you are using. In an emergency, start with "This is an emergency call" and explain why the electricity needs to be switched off (sections 4.3 and 5.3).

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GSM-R Radio

GSM-R is the digital radio system used on the national network for communication between train drivers and signallers. Train cabs are fitted with GSM-R radios, and some railway staff carry GSM-R handheld radios. A railway emergency call made on GSM-R alerts the signaller and the trains in the area at the same time, so it must only be used for a genuine emergency, such as an obstruction or a person in danger.

Whatever equipment you use, HB1 section 9.6 applies:

• do not use communications equipment if it may cause a distraction or affect safety;
• make sure you are in a position of safety before using mobile communications equipment;
• unless it is an emergency, do not use group, general or conference calls to pass instructions about passing signals at danger, protecting trains, wrong-direction movements or unsignalled movements.

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Mobile Phones and Distractions

Distraction is a major cause of near misses on the track. The rules are simple:

• The PTS handbook says switch your mobile phone off unless you need it on for safety reasons.
• If you have to use it, make sure you are in a position of safety and stand still until you have finished using the phone (HB1 section 4.3 and the PTS handbook).
• HB1 says you must not wear anything that makes you less able to see or hear approaching trains, which rules out earphones and headphones on or near the line, and you must not allow yourself to be distracted by anyone or anything.
• Site wardens and lookouts must keep their mobile phones switched off while on duty (Rule Book Handbook 3).