The National network and "works" on the lines.

[kieranhardy]

I seriously wish i hadn't bothered going today. WHAT A DAY!

The journey there was pretty smooth, the way back was a nightmare, a 1hr 52 minute journey turned into 5 1/2 hours. Where do i begin... the bus from CVR was cancelled due to lack of people using it. But i would like to thank the staff at the CVR for finding me and giving me a lift back to the station. The Witham - Colchester bus was just pure hell. Going along the A12 and a massive plume of black smoke greeted us, we wernt too far behind it, but this brought things to a complete stand still both sides.... for over an hour... when things did start moving we were presented with a completely gutted out double decker bus... amusing thing it was a rail replacement service one!!!! I missed my clacton bus by two minutes and had an age to wait at Colchester, so mum offered to pick me up (she drives an old style mini). Upon leaving Colchester we can smell burning and smoke is coming out the back left wheel. A call to the AA and another hour later, i'm finally back!

On the plus side i had a good time at the CVR and the weather was fantastic.

[GlennMitchell]

try living on the Cambrian line between Welshpool - Aberystwyth/Pwllheli. theres plent of work up there.

They're installing ERTMS aren't they. I was at Doncaster training centre a couple of weeks ago there were some lads from Machynlleth depot there learning about AHB (Auto half barrier) level crossings but they said that theres lots of work going on around them for the ERTMS project.

Glenn

[Tomnick]

sounds like a 10mph restriction would be needed incase of gate runners

Not at all chap - as has already been pointed out, the protecting signal(s) can't be cleared until the barriers have been lowered (blocking the road completely), the signalman has observed that the crossing is clear, and pressed the 'crossing clear' button. So nothing will be allowed to approach until all that's been done - I can't see a reason why rail traffic would be limited to anything other than linespeed.

[AlistairW]

Does the signaller have to press 'line clear' for every level crossing in the UK or are there special circumstances surrounding this particular crossing? Otherwise the guys in the ECML must be kept very busy!

[danielw2599]

Does the signaller have to press 'line clear' for every level crossing in the UK or are there special circumstances surrounding this particular crossing? Otherwise the guys in the ECML must be kept very busy!

The majority of full barrier crossings do have a "Crossing Clear" button that the signaller must press to clear the protecting signals. However he only needs to press it once every time the barriers are lowered. So if say there are 3 trains to pass over the crossing in quick succession, he only needs to press it once if the barriers remain down for all 3 trains.

Its only the full barrier crossings that have the button as other types of crossings are operated differently.

[ralph0chadkirk]

Only on CCTV crossings. Some crossings lower automatically when a train goes over a treadle or occupies a track circut, the barriers go down, and the driver hopes there are no cars there.

The types of crossings are found in the Sectional Appendix (if you don't have access to it try google earth and see if you can spot the CCTV poles )

[AlistairW]

Thanks for that guys will try to spot the CCTV next time I go whizzing over one

[salopiangrowler]

try living on the Cambrian line between Welshpool - Aberystwyth/Pwllheli. theres plent of work up there.

They're installing ERTMS aren't they. I was at Doncaster training centre a couple of weeks ago there were some lads from Machynlleth depot there learning about AHB (Auto half barrier) level crossings but they said that theres lots of work going on around them for the ERTMS project.

Glenn

There doubling Welshpool - Cilcllywed (Fron Bank) half way to Newtown, Completely relayed Tallerdigg points out of action as they are to be wired into the ertms main computer. There doing something at Abermule. Doubling the Aberystwyth side of Dovey Junction. and trains are terminating at Barmouth as the lines closed for work up there which cant be done in a hurry as it requires 37401 to go up atleast 3 or 4 times a week. oh and 97303 has now been fitted with ERTMS as we speak at barrow hill. 158829 has arrived in shrewsbury for the time being with half a dozen seats removed and shiney new boxes added in.

as far AHB - Buttingtons a full barier or was the last time i went up cant remember were the other crossings are apart from sunny sands golf corse and Borth caravan park. EDIT: oh yeah and Caersws

[GlennMitchell]

Thanks for the info, another reason to go via conwy valley next time I go to the Ffestiniog .

as far AHB - Buttingtons a full barier or was the last time i went up cant remember were the other crossings are apart from sunny sands golf corse and Borth caravan park. EDIT: oh yeah and Caersws

Yes the Machnlleth lads learning about AHB had me stumped a bit too I didn't think there were many.

Glenn

[salopiangrowler]

im just wondering if the Accomidation crossings will be fitted with AHB as a AHB will basically cover a farm crossing with one arm.

to me Crossings on a route thats un signalled will be dangerous as the line speeds meant to be shoved upto 90 in places. atleast with RETB you'll have the benefit of the radio but ERTMS is different as the radio's only used in emergencies. as the onboard computer is supposed to tell you were and when to stop

[ralph0chadkirk]

Then it won't be an AHB then will it, it will be a uncontrolled full barrier.

[danielw2599]

im just wondering if the Accomidation crossings will be fitted with AHB as a AHB will basically cover a farm crossing with one arm.

to me Crossings on a route thats un signalled will be dangerous as the line speeds meant to be shoved upto 90 in places. atleast with RETB you'll have the benefit of the radio but ERTMS is different as the radio's only used in emergencies. as the onboard computer is supposed to tell you were and when to stop

AHBs are not interlinked with the signalling system, so why would NR go to the expense of replacing accomidation crossings (crossings that are actually used by few people) with expensive AHBs?

it will be a uncontrolled full barrier

No such thing currently exists.

[GlennMitchell]

With running at 90 they may install AHB as it would be safer than just a gate.

[salopiangrowler]

Caersws crossing was replaced a couple of weeks ago, it was originally operated by a crossing keeper in a tin shed. i think they are lengthening and doubling Caersws aswell.

There's so much going on at the moment up the Cambrian and NR will probably still be scratching there heads over the WHR crossing.

How to incorperate ERTMS and a Narrow Guage line into one easy equasion.

Cant wait till it rolls out across the entire network. imagine the crossings between Peterborough and tallington.

[ralph0chadkirk]

I gather that the barriers in the ECML go down when the route is set through them, though that could be wrong. I'll have a look at the Sectional Appendix and let you know what type they are,