8.2 Stopping Trains and Protecting the Line
Key Takeaways
In daylight show a red flag, or if you have none raise both arms above your head; in darkness or poor visibility show a red light or wave any light violently.
If you have a track circuit operating clip, place it on each affected line first, except where there is a fourth rail; on a third-rail line put the first clip on the running rail furthest from the conductor rail.
If you cannot contact the signaller, walk towards approaching trains and place three detonators 20 metres apart at 2 kilometres (1¼ miles) on each affected line.
Stand at least 30 metres from detonators while showing a hand danger signal, and never use a detonator more than five years old.
If the signaller tells you the line is protected, you do not need to continue to the 2-kilometre point.
8.2 Stopping Trains and Protecting the Line
If a line becomes unsafe, the driver of any approaching train must be alerted to the danger ahead. This is known as protecting the line. The rules are in section 8 of HB1 (stopping trains in an emergency), section 8 of the PTS handbook (RT3170), and Rule Book Handbook 2, Instructions for track workers who use emergency protection equipment (GERT8000-HB2), which applies to track workers trained to carry out emergency protection.
1. The Hand Danger Signal
In an emergency you can stop a train by giving a hand danger signal. It must be clearly visible to the driver. HB1 section 8.2 says:
| Conditions | How to show the hand danger signal |
|---|---|
| Daylight | Show a red flag. If you do not have a red flag, raise both arms above your head. If you are riding on a vehicle, raise one arm held out horizontally. |
| Darkness or poor visibility | Show a red light to the driver, or wave any light violently. |
- If possible, give the signal in a way that does not stop other trains approaching on other lines (PTS handbook section 8.2).
- Give the signal from a place where the driver can see you but you are not in danger yourself.
- Do not confuse it with raising one arm above your head, which only acknowledges a driver's warning horn.
2. Calling the Signaller
To stop train movements on a line, a call must be made to the signaller using any lineside phone or a mobile phone (section 8.1). HB2 says you must try to contact the signaller in the quickest way. The equipment and steps below are for when the line must be protected, especially if the signaller cannot be reached.
3. Track Circuit Operating Clips
Track circuits and axle counters are two different ways of showing the signaller where trains are. A track circuit operating clip (TCOC) is clipped over the top of each running rail. On lines signalled by track circuits, this makes the signalling equipment detect a "train" and turns the nearest signal on the approach to danger. It has no effect where trains are detected by axle counters.
- If you have one, your first step is to connect a track circuit operating clip between the two running rails of each affected line.
- Do not use one where there is a fourth rail (four-rail DC areas).
- In third-rail areas, attach the clip to the running rail furthest from the conductor rail first, then the nearest rail; remove it in the reverse order.
- Once applied, a clip must not be removed until normal working can begin or other protection has been given, and you must get the signaller's permission before removing it.
- A clip can be used only once. Give used clips to your supervisor.
4. Detonators
A detonator is a small explosive device clipped onto the rail head. When a train runs over it, it explodes with a loud bang to warn the driver.
- Check the date of manufacture stamped on each detonator. Do not use any detonator older than five years, or one that is rusty, decayed or damaged; return it to your issuing point.
- Place detonators 20 metres (about 20 yards or 65 feet) apart, in sets of three.
- If you place them at a signal, put the first next to the signal and the other two beyond it.
- If there is a third rail, place them on the running rail furthest from the conductor rail where possible.
- Handle detonators carefully. When you have placed them, move at least 30 metres (about 100 feet) away and make sure nobody else goes near them. If you are staying near detonators that are not at a signal, stand at least 30 metres beyond them so the driver sees your hand danger signal after exploding them, with your back to the detonators to avoid the blast.
OBSTRUCTION <-------------- 2 km (1 1/4 miles) --------------> [d]--20 m--[d]--20 m--[d]
(unsafe line) three detonators
|
stand at least 30 m away, show the
hand danger signal, back to detonators
direction trains approach from ------------------------------------------> (towards you)
5. Full Detonator Protection
HB2 section 4 and the PTS handbook set out what to do when a line is obstructed or unsafe:
- Place a track circuit operating clip, if available, on each affected line (except where there is a fourth rail).
- Try to contact the signaller in the quickest way.
- If you cannot contact the signaller, walk towards the direction trains can approach from, so that you can place three detonators, 20 metres apart, on each line concerned at 2 kilometres (1¼ miles). This is called full detonator protection.
- Show a hand danger signal to any train that approaches on the affected line.
Things You May Meet on the Way
- A train approaches before you reach 2 kilometres: if it is safe to do so, immediately place three detonators on that line and show the hand danger signal, standing at least 30 metres from the detonators.
- You reach a telephone linked to the signal box, or the signal box itself: place three detonators on the affected line, 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.
- You reach a signal fitted with a signal post replacement switch (SPRS): if you have a key and are competent to use it, operate the switch to put the signal to danger before placing three detonators, then speak to the signaller. Ask the signaller's permission before putting the signal back to automatic.
- You reach a tunnel: place three detonators on the affected line at the tunnel entrance, try again to contact the signaller, and then, taking care of your own safety, continue through the tunnel. If the 2-kilometre point is inside the tunnel, walk to the far end and place three more detonators there.
- You reach a junction: trains could approach from more than one direction. Place three detonators before the junction, decide which line a train is most likely to approach on, protect that line at 2 kilometres first, then go back and protect the other lines.
After Protection Is Provided
- Unless told otherwise, stay near the detonators and keep showing the hand danger signal until someone else takes over or the line is protected in some other way.
- Do not remove the protection until the line is safe again, or you are told that other protection is being given.
- When protection is no longer needed, remove all the detonators and any track circuit operating clips, then tell the signaller, and give the used clips to your supervisor.
In daylight you need to stop an approaching train but you have no red flag. What hand danger signal does Handbook 1 require?
Wave an orange jacket in small circles at waist height
Stand still in the four-foot with your arms crossed
Hold one arm out horizontally towards the cess
Raise both arms above your head
You cannot contact the signaller about an obstruction. What does full detonator protection require?
Two detonators 50 metres apart on alternate rails, half a mile from the obstruction
Four detonators 10 metres apart across both rails, 2 miles from the obstruction
Three detonators 20 metres apart on each affected line at 2 kilometres (1¼ miles), towards approaching trains
One detonator placed right next to the obstruction with a red lamp
Where will a track circuit operating clip have no effect on the signals?
On any line with 25 kV overhead line equipment
Where trains are detected by axle counters rather than track circuits
On lines with concrete sleepers
On any line in darkness
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.