Quote:
Originally Posted by DSY011
Drivers will, however, be allowed to use mobile phones in emergencies.
|
Here in the UK it's for individual Company Driving Policy (as opposed to a Rule Book requirement) to decide on use of mobile phones.
Many TOCs/FOCs issue traincrew with company mobiles. Most companys' policy requires the phone to be either off, or at least muted whilst in the leading driving cab.
In any case the Rule Book
does state that a driver must not allow him/her self to be distracted by any communication device whilst driving a train - and of course that includes the radio fitted in the cab as well.
Mobile phones aren't all bad - they're excellent for situations such as a train failure, where (once you've stopped) you can call a fitter and get immediate information on fault finding. And of course they are the last resort under normal conditions if you can't contact the signaller via radio or SPT, or in an emergency
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Phil
As I commented in the thread re the crash in New York, do our modern locomotives and power units have warning alarms and bells if a train is going faster than that permitted?
|
Can't comment on USA or anywhere else, but here in the UK we have the much vaunted TPWS. At many places where there is a
significant reduction in permanent Linespeed (as opposed to Temporary/Emergency speed restrictions) there are a pair of TPWS Overspeed Sense loops bolted in the four foot. If the train passes over the loops faster than the trigger speed, the Emergency Brake applies and you come up in a heap. Of course the loops have to be located far enough to the rear to be able to get the train speed down before the start of the lower speed restriction.
It is a Rule Book requirement that if the TPWS activates on your train you must call the signaller and not move until you have permission (and it also goes on your personal licence for eternity as a 'TPWS Intervention').
But there is no system which alerts the driver simply if they have exceeded linespeed under normal circumstances. In many cases Maximum Linespeed is set for signalling issues or acceptable longterm wear on the rails & P Way rather than being there being an immediate danger of the train becoming airborn !
BW