Quote:
Originally Posted by TRP
Something similar happened on the GW main line in Wiltshire last summer, apparently due to Network Rail not properly communicating the change of speed restriction to GWR.
[url]https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-54905117[/url
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That's an interesting read Tony, and I've had a similar experience myself on the ECML! Train driving is a very repetetive job, and once your Muscle Memory has been trained to respond to an ESR, it's easy to not look carefully at the speed board for any small changes that have been made.
My opinion, which I share with many other drivers, is that if any change is made to a restriction that's been established, t
here should be ADDITIONAL advance warning to advise of it.
Such as...
1)With the modern GSMR radio it is possible for 'Berth Triggered' radio messages to be set up. What that actually means is that the signaller can record a voice message whilst sat at his workstation, and set up the system so that the message is sent to every train that triggers a particular track circuit. So a message like "Will all drivers approaching the 20/100mph Emergency Speed Restriction on the Up Fast Line approaching York, located at 136 miles and 18 chains, be advisd that it has now been changed to 20mph applying to ALL trains. Please press your S button to acknowledge". For safety's sake this can be set up to occur several times before the train reaches the ESR. Once this message is set up the signaller can leave it to work automatically, and can get on with his job of regulating all the other headaches on his panel/workstation.
2) The signaller may be able to set the system so that the last signal before the ESR is maintained at a Single Yellow with Approach Control, so that the drivers HAVE to slow down for the ESR. Since all trains now have to obey this restriction, there's no disadvantage in slowing them all down with signals.
Of course, once ERTMS is established in the UK, Big Brother controller will remove the need for Speed Restriction hardware, as drivers will simply receive an in-cab instruction to slow down.
HTH, BW