A new face on the footplate.

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

The TCA^▸ (Track Circuit Actuator) is the Track Circuit Activator.  To put it briefly it is a small pulse box under each driving cab that sends a pulse down to the track circuit to boost the track circuit signal, which alerts the signaller to the exact presence of your train.

Actually its called a ' Track Circuit Assister'.  This creates a large current between a pair of wheels which breaks down rust and leaf residule on the rail head to 'assist' in the operation of track circuits: http://www.unipartrail.com/WebPDF/ProductBulletins/313.pdf

[sprinterguard]

Also known as a track circuit actuator!

[SandTEngineer]

Agreed it does have an alternative name that is copyright of Delta Rail (previously known as BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) Research and later privatised as AEA Technology PLC): http://www.tillyweb.biz/heritagesignal/robertwoodspaper.pdf.pdf

[rower40]

Agreed it does have an alternative name that is copyright of Delta Rail (previously known as BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) Research and later privatised as AEA Technology PLC): http://www.tillyweb.biz/heritagesignal/robertwoodspaper.pdf.pdf

Warning - nostalgia alert.
When I started at BR Research in 1988, Robert Wood (the author of the above paper) arranged a day's Cab Ride for me to learn signalling from a "user's" perspective.  He and I travelled many miles that day, to see various types of signal from the sharp end, some at 100mph or so.

[ReWind]

Another update then. 

I drove my first mainline passenger service (under supervision) today.  2K26 & 2K27 if anyone was on it.  All went Ok, no incidents occurred thankfully.  GSMR registration failed though but that's it.

Will be driving trains on suburban Bristol routes for the next 2 weeks now before being moved to Westbury for 5 weeks of driving due to lack of instructors at Bristol.  225 hours to go now.

Interim 2 also in amongst that.

If you notice any dodgy driving whilst out and about, wait for the next service.  lol.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for that update (and warning), ReWind! 

Congratulations on your progress. 

[JayMac]

Will be driving trains on suburban Bristol routes for the next 2 weeks...

If you notice any dodgy driving whilst out and about, wait for the next service.  lol.

Any chance of a heads up should you be on the Severn Beach Line? Let us know what days so I can take the bus instead.

Only kidding of course. If you see a portly guy with a grey flat cap (and currently sporting a 'tache) at Shirehampton, Clifton Down or P1 at Bristol TM^‡(resolve), do say "hi". I can then run away and get that bus...

Again, joking. Congratulations on getting this far. As a lad I wanted to be a train driver, and even 30+ years later I'm extremely envious of those who get to sit at the business end of a train.

Well done ReWind. 

[GBM]

Will be driving trains on suburban Bristol routes for the next 2 weeks...

If you notice any dodgy driving whilst out and about, wait for the next service.  lol.

.Again, joking. Congratulations on getting this far. As a lad I wanted to be a train driver, and even 30+ years later I'm extremely envious of those who get to sit at the business end of a train.

Well done ReWind. 

Altho' I'm driving with rubber wheels, would prefer metal ones, & generally give a 'what-if' sigh when passing Longrock MPD^▸ (Motive Power Depot).

[TonyK]

I couldn't make up my mind between solicitor or train driver as a career, which is how I became, by a tortuous route, and a Jethro Tull connection, a Civil Servant.

[JayMac]

Seed drill or flute?

[TonyK]

Seed drill or flute?

Flautist's mother.

Edit:

I just got the insult. I'm not that old, young man!