Colchester Signal Box Evacuated

[GB]

Seems the fire alarm has gone off in the box. Box evacuated and all trains at a stand!

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Seems the fire alarm has gone off in the box. Box evacuated and all trains at a stand!

Some would say, is that any different from normal.

 

[GB]

Ha lol

 

[TheEdge]

AGA will be blamed in...

 

[ComUtoR]

If the box is closed can we pass the signals at danger...

 

[SPADTrap]

If the box is closed can we pass the signals at danger...

Don't ask tha.... :razz:

 

[grumblingalong]

Siggie burned his lunch

 

[edwin_m]

Siggie having a ciggie?

 

[Elecman]

More likely someone burnt the toast

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Is there an interface between the fire alarm and the signal panels to automatically switch all signals to danger or does the signalman have to either individually switch them to danger or press an "all stop" type button?

 

[Trainfan344]

If the box is closed can we pass the signals at danger...

Yes. What's the worse that could happen? :P

 

[N Levers]

Is there an interface between the fire alarm and the signal panels to automatically switch all signals to danger or does the signalman have to either individually switch them to danger or press an "all stop" type button?

Would they need to set everything to Red? All the routes that had already been set would be clear of any danger. Trains would keep going, past greens and yellows, until the eventually come to a red.

 

[DasLunatic]

How far does the Colchester PSB stretch? IIRC, is it the GEML from Witham to Manningtree and the Sudbury, Braintree, CET, Walton and Clacton branches?

 

[LowLevel]

It controls all the way to Norwich and out the other side towards Wymondham.

 

[Bald Rick]

Marks Tey to Norwich
Colchester to Walton and just short of Clacton
Felixstowe branch
Sudbury Branch

Fire alarm not interfaced to signals, signallers have to bring trains to a controlled stop. Those in auto sections generally allowed to proceed to next controlled signal, but even in auto sections, the signaller should watch the train's progress.

 

[High Dyke]

How far does the Colchester PSB stretch? IIRC, is it the GEML from Witham to Manningtree and the Sudbury, Braintree, CET, Walton and Clacton branches?

Doesn't it cover Norwich too? Some of the EMT services were delayed by the incident.

 

[LAX54]

These days when there is 'trouble' where possible all trains should be held in stations, although of course that is not always possible.

As far as I know trains were held at Norwich and down roads turned / held at Shenfield,
GSM-R not quite as user freindly to send a general message as CSR was.

so just place the signals at the end of the platforms at red, or put them to red, the rest will just come up to a red in the normal sequence.

Rare event, but it does happen once in a blue moon, good few years since the last alarm.

Box Manager will have advised Control, who will in turn of course advise the TOC/FOC, who can then tell the trains via mobile phone if needed, or when the Driver calls in to them as they cannot get the Signaller !
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Doesn't it cover Norwich too? Some of the EMT services were delayed by the incident.

Colchester

C/S Marks Tey to Norwich inc
Manninngtree as far as Wrabness.
Haughley to Thurston.
Trowse to Wymondam
Ipswich to Westerfield / Felixstowe Town / North / South.
Colchester to Burrs Road (Clacton) /Walton / Colchester Town
Trowse to Whitlingham Jct.

 

[Class 170101]

Marks Tey to Sudbury is covered by Liverpool Street IECC.

 

[Tio Terry]

Normal design requirements for any form of Railway Control centre is that the operating floor/area is contained within a 2 hour fire resistant block. Don't know specifically about Colchester, but if it is of standard design why was it necessary to evacuate so soon?

 

[DasLunatic]

Normal design requirements for any form of Railway Control centre is that the operating floor/area is contained within a 2 hour fire resistant block. Don't know specifically about Colchester, but if it is of standard design why was it necessary to evacuate so soon?

This is H&S Britain. Even if the PSB has a one in one trillion chance of catching fire, the place must be evacuated in case the stars align and the PSB catches alight. The payouts for a fire like this would be huge - NR doesn't have the cash to deal with lawsuits like this.

 

[LAX54]

Normal design requirements for any form of Railway Control centre is that the operating floor/area is contained within a 2 hour fire resistant block. Don't know specifically about Colchester, but if it is of standard design why was it necessary to evacuate so soon?

Colchester is a 'normal' brick built building dating from 1983 Pretty sure there are no fire resistant blocks, a couple of fire doors though
(plus the ops floor was full of smoke! )

I would have thought smoke entering any area of any workplace, where the workforce are working a 2 hr fire block or not, the place would be evacuated.

 

[Sunset route]

If it's anything like our place then there will be a two stage alarm system, stage 1 is all non essential staff evacuate and signallers prepare for a controlled shut down, stage 2 emergency shut down and everyone evacuate. The system can go straight to stage two if enough zones are activated.

 

[najaB]

Normal design requirements for any form of Railway Control centre is that the operating floor/area is contained within a 2 hour fire resistant block. Don't know specifically about Colchester, but if it is of standard design why was it necessary to evacuate so soon?

Pretty sure the 2-hour fire resistance is to protect the equipment, rather than the people.

 

[John Webb]

Two-hour structural fire protection is more to do with containing the fire to limit damage to the building/its contents as it is assumed that with a fire alarm system the occupants will be out of the building in an appropriate short time. (Historically the figure of 2.5 minutes is taken as the norm.)

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Building design dependent etc, but if the fire resistant box is within the central core of a building and ventilation is shut down as part of the fire alarm or fire fighting system (or there's no external ventilation) you really do not want to be stuck in a fire resistant box, as you will stand a high chance of dying.

The fire is likely to suck all of the oxygen out of the fire resistant box, resulting in asphyxia, if you're 'lucky' to have an airtight box, you'll use some of the oxygen, and the content will drop below 16%, resulting in unconsciousness and then asphyxia.

Few people realise that firefighters wear breathing apparatus for two reasons - the obvious one is to prevent smoke inhalation, but it's also to provide enough oxygen for them to be able to undertake the physical exertion involved in getting themselves, in full kit, plus hoses and any other equipment, into the building in order to fight the fire.

 

[Lockwood]

Would they need to set everything to Red? All the routes that had already been set would be clear of any danger. Trains would keep going, past greens and yellows, until the eventually come to a red.

What if something happened up the line that would need the signaller to stop that train that has a good run of greens?
"The train hit the car that had broken down on the automatic crossing, despite the car driver's best efforts to contact the signalman."
Yes, it's a one in a large number risk, but as a nation we like to do everything we can to control the one in a lot risks.

 

[najaB]

What if something happened up the line that would need the signaller to stop that train that has a good run of greens?
"The train hit the car that had broken down on the automatic crossing, despite the car driver's best efforts to contact the signalman."

Wouldn't the protecting signal be at danger since the crossing wasn't proved clear?

 

[Lockwood]

"Automatic"

 

[HarleyDavidson]

What do they say about not putting all of your eggs in one basket?

Surely this another reason why putting everything into a regional ROC is a bad idea, whereas you could in the past "lockout" a box and just have long sections.

 

[najaB]

Surely this another reason why putting everything into a regional ROC is a bad idea, whereas you could in the past "lockout" a box and just have long sections.

The overall probability of a fire goes down, but at the same time the impact goes up - so swings and roundabouts really.