SandTEngineer
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« Reply #435 on: November 04, 2015, 10:49:35 » |
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Back in the early 2000s we used professional route cab videos as the aid to desk top design for the initial signal siting. The initial Signal Siting Form (SSF) would be produced on this basis and the Signal Siting Committee (SSC▸ ) would then visit site to determine the actual required position against the theory. This would be fed back to the signalling design office and amendments made to the scheme design if required. After commissioning all signals are checked again by the SSC to confirm no other issues have arisen.
The SSC consists of a qualified and experienced chairman and representatives from the signalling design office and the affected TOCs▸ . All have to sign the SSF to confirm acceptance.
My personal opinion, based upon over 45 years experience, is that we have gone too far in trying to make signal sighting perfect. Introducing new controls etc. really complicates the signalling interlocking and that introduces new risks into the signalling system. As the saying goes 'Complexity is the Enemy of Safety'.
Anyway back to the Thames Valley problems..............
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« Last Edit: November 04, 2015, 10:57:10 by SandTEngineer »
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SandTEngineer
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« Reply #436 on: November 04, 2015, 15:25:03 » |
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I should have added that one of the problems with signal siting on the GWML▸ between Paddington and Reading is that the signals on the Main Lines are spaced for 125mph running but those on the Relief Lines are spaced for 90mph or less running. This means that the signals on the Main and Relief Lines are not always parallel or sometimes don't exist at all. This can be dis-orientating for train drivers as the brain tends to always be looking for a signal opposite your own. Its a well known risk and modern signalling schemes are prohibited from having such arrangements (sometimes at the cost of line speed and capacity).
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Electric train
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« Reply #437 on: November 04, 2015, 18:30:08 » |
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There is now a train-cab driver's-view simulator using CGI▸ that can check sightings off-plan - i.e. based on the engineering design, which itself all computer data. I know it was used for Reading (RSAR), though whether it was then or is still experimental I am not sure.
The main reason for wanting this "Desktop Signal Sighting" or "Virtual Sighting" was electrification. That forest of masts and stanchions needs to be checked, every one of them, at the design stage; hence the use of CAE (computer-aided engineering). Giaconda have some pictures here - I'm not sure if their system is the only one, created in effect for NR» , or if there are others. As you can see, it mixes real video with CGI, and can also be used for driver briefing, training, and canvassing feedback. There are other examples on their site, including videos (but without their own URLs to link to). Back in the early 2000s we used professional route cab videos as the aid to desk top design for the initial signal siting. The initial Signal Siting Form (SSF) would be produced on this basis and the Signal Siting Committee (SSC▸ ) would then visit site to determine the actual required position against the theory. This would be fed back to the signalling design office and amendments made to the scheme design if required. After commissioning all signals are checked again by the SSC to confirm no other issues have arisen.
The SSC consists of a qualified and experienced chairman and representatives from the signalling design office and the affected TOCs▸ . All have to sign the SSF to confirm acceptance.
My personal opinion, based upon over 45 years experience, is that we have gone too far in trying to make signal sighting perfect. Introducing new controls etc. really complicates the signalling interlocking and that introduces new risks into the signalling system. As the saying goes 'Complexity is the Enemy of Safety'.
Anyway back to the Thames Valley problems..............
As a Designated Project Engineer for a new build route the use of "fly through" CAD made the outline design signal sighting quicker, also the final signal sighting sign off was done with a CAD model, I had a CAD operator at the end of the phone so the Signal Designer could make minor adjustments signal positions live in the committee and could actually step up the aspects and illuminate route indicators etc. Its all getting far to clever
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #438 on: November 09, 2015, 15:46:07 » |
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Cancellations to services between Ealing Broadway and London Paddington
Due to a fault with the signalling system between Ealing Broadway and London Paddington fewer trains are able to run on some London bound relief lines.
Impact Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed by up to 10 mins. Disruption is expected until 16:30 09/11
.............Greenfords starting to be cancelled, lets hope it clears as forecast by 1630.
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eightf48544
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« Reply #439 on: November 09, 2015, 16:46:04 » |
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At 16:45 Taplow Train Board showing every thing on time.
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Adelante_CCT
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« Reply #440 on: November 09, 2015, 17:54:39 » |
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Due to a fault with the signalling system between Ealing Broadway and London Paddington fewer trains are able to run on some London bound relief lines.
If only! This would seem to apply that they have at least 3 sets of relief lines. No crossrail/hex/emu/turbo line capacity problems if that was the case.
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #441 on: November 10, 2015, 10:40:42 » |
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At 16:45 Taplow Train Board showing every thing on time.
Indeed seemed to be very short lived, however it appears that Ealing Broadway was evacuated/closed for a while later on in the evening due to dangerous overcrowding on the platforms, pal of mine was stuck outside for a while. I can remember commuting via Ealing B from 2002 - 2009 and it was always busy (more so in the evenings) but recently it seems to be chaotic in the evening peak.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #442 on: November 10, 2015, 11:41:25 » |
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I can remember commuting via Ealing B from 2002 - 2009 and it was always busy (more so in the evenings) but recently it seems to be chaotic in the evening peak.
Indeed, people keep coming in ever increasing numbers to use the train and tube. The station rebuild (just about to get under way) which replaces the cramped concourse with something twice the size and additional train services post-Crossrail should make it able to cope much better.
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #443 on: November 12, 2015, 11:18:39 » |
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Probably best to stay indoors today!!!
Cancellations to services between Bristol Parkway and Swindon Due to urgent repairs to the track between Bristol Parkway and Swindon all lines are blocked. Impact Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 35 mins or diverted. Disruption is expected until 02:00 13/11.
Cancellations to services between Gloucester and Bristol Parkway Due to urgent repairs to the track between Gloucester and Bristol Parkway all lines are blocked. Impact Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or suspended between Bristol Parkway and Gloucester. Yate and Cam & Dursley will not be served. Disruption is expected until 14:40 12/11.
Delays to services between Hayes & Harlington and London Paddington Due to a fault on this train between Hayes & Harlington and London Paddington some lines are blocked. Impact Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 30 mins. Disruption is expected until 12:00 12/11.
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trainer
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« Reply #444 on: November 12, 2015, 16:30:44 » |
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I've just returned from a road trip to Gloucester (sorry!) and the M5 southbound was also completely blocked for the morning between Gloucester and Stroud junctions (12 and 13) so no-one was travelling fast in that direction by any mode much before 2pm. Clear by return at about that time. It's not just the railways that can thwart plans.
Sadly a fatality was involved according to BBC» Points West In Breakfast.
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Oxonhutch
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« Reply #445 on: November 13, 2015, 08:17:49 » |
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Bit of a zig-zag journey into Town on the early ex-Didcot High Speed Train (HST▸ ) service (1P08) this morning. Reading east switch to the Mains as scheduled, back on to the Reliefs at Twyford West, and finally back on to the Mains once more at Ruscombe. All to avoid a Class 180 ^Zafira^ receiving attention from the Fire Brigade in Twyford Platform 1. Wondered what all the non-railway yellow hi-vis there were around. I was hoping it wasn^t another personal tragedy.
Edit: VickiS - Clarifying Acronym
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« Last Edit: May 05, 2021, 19:16:51 by VickiS »
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grahame
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« Reply #446 on: November 13, 2015, 08:31:15 » |
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Reported as fire in middle carriage; fire brigade called but fire put out by crew before they arrived - probably aftermath / caution / checking was what you saw. Always sensible to re-act significantly to reports of fires; sounds like this was either well and quickly controlled, or a very minor / nothing incident.
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Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #447 on: December 15, 2015, 06:10:57 » |
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Not a great start to the day.......
Delays to services between Swindon and Bristol Parkway Due to a broken down train between Swindon and Bristol Parkway the Swindon bound line is blocked.
Cancellations to services between Didcot Parkway and Reading Due to a person being hit by a train between Didcot Parkway and Reading all lines are blocked. Impact Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 07:45 15/12.
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grahame
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« Reply #448 on: December 15, 2015, 08:23:35 » |
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Not a great start to the day.......
Indeed ... and alas there seems to be *something* going on most days. Sadly, I can use the map at the top of our pages as an example of a dynamic web graphic on the courses I give and be pretty sure that most of the time there's going to be something showing ... only occasionally do I have to fal back on the dots showing road works or the number in the sea to show people that it's an up to date display. Yesterday, we were doing passenger counts on the TransWilts, and one service picked up some extra people to Chippenham due to a diversion / capped service (not sure which) from London to Bristol - originating from a freight train failure at Keynsham. I was of two minds as to whether I should extrapolate the figures from yesterday directly, or make an allowance to give just 'regular' traffic. However, this morning's stuff will be meaning that TransWilts trains will be helping out from Chippenham again, so I guess "all's fair" and I go with the unadulterated figures for yesterday. P.S. TaplowGreen - you missed the failed axle counter between Thingley and Bradford Junctions this a.m. resulting in pilot man working ... It's amazing just how often we get the disruption ... and how well the staff on the ground often cope. Sadly, I suspect they cope so well because they get far too much practise.
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Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #449 on: December 15, 2015, 09:11:38 » |
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......and another one.........
Due to a fault with the signalling system between London Paddington and Greenford all lines are closed.
Impact Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 11:00 15/12.
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