Orange stripe

[T163R]

Hi everyone

I would like to know why is there an orange stripe on all British trains on top of the windows, on all the train (signification, origin, history...)

Thanks

 

[ainsworth74]

It's a warning to people not go above the line as it would bring them into dangerously close contact with overhead wires (assuming their present). Not sure when it was introduced.

 

[Bon Accord]

First saw widespread use in the latter half of the 80s.

 

[CarterUSM]

We call it the CANT line where I am, don't know if it is referred to as anything different elsewhere.

 

[T163R]

It's a warning to people not go above the line as it would bring them into dangerously close contact with overhead wires (assuming their present). Not sure when it was introduced.

If this is the message the stripe is here to give...it's not evident...At all !

 

[MidnightFlyer]

We call it the CANT line where I am, don't know if it is referred to as anything different elsewhere.

CANT line around here too - because you 'CANT' touch above it and expect to live (or something like that!). It is, basically, a safe distance line when under OHLE.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

It is commonly known as the cant rail stripe, as it was generally applied at the height of the cant rail (where the side of the train meets the roof), but in some cases it may not be. I reckon they started to appear around about 1988-89 on stock that had to work under overhead lines. I'm reasonably sure the 319/1s (1988-89) had them from new, but I don't think the 319/0s (1987-88) did.

 

[T163R]

Thanks for the answers guys

But..what about 3rd rail electrification ?

 

[hairyhandedfool]

If this is the message the stripe is here to give...it's not evident...At all !

It's a message to staff rather than everyone. Passengers would not be expected to climb on the roof!

 

[T163R]

It's a message to staff rather than everyone. Passengers would not be expected to climb on the roof!

You never know !

 

[CarterUSM]

It's a message to staff rather than everyone. Passengers would not be expected to climb on the roof!

I always though "cab floor level" was clear enough. In any case, it is a good visual reminder.

 

[GB]

Thanks for the answers guys

But..what about 3rd rail electrification ?

Below sole bar level is generally said to be the no go area for DC.

 

[IanXC]

Passengers would not be expected to climb on the roof!

And if they do, this kind of result can be expected:
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=495734

 

[GB]

Its strange that tanker wagons do no require the cant line as its not uncommon for some workers to climb on top of them during the course of their duties...obviously not while under OLE.

 

[swt_passenger]

Hi everyone

I would like to know why is there an orange stripe on all British trains on top of the windows, on all the train (signification, origin, history...)

Thanks

It's never a good idea to use terms like 'all British trains' unless you are really sure...

There are at least two complete EMU classes running around without the orange cantrail stripes and OHLE warning signs - 444 and 450.

 

[andyfrommk]

.... it was generally applied at the height of the cant rail (where the side of the train meets the roof), but in some cases it may not be.

Like underneath the windshields of a class 37?.
The point being if the windshield is broken don't put any appendage outside

If this is the message the stripe is here to give...it's not evident...At all !

There are little stickers on the ends of vehicles warning about the danger of the overhead line,

 

[T163R]

It's never a good idea to use terms like 'all British trains' unless you are really sure...

There are at least two complete EMU classes running around without the orange cantrail stripes and OHLE warning signs - 444 and 450.

Class 444s and 450s are 3rd rail DC units... I should've thought about that. But do other 3rd rail units have the orange stripe ?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

There are little stickers on the ends of vehicles warning about the danger of the overhead line,

There should be stickers on the side of the train, too !

 

[jopsuk]

It's never a good idea to use terms like 'all British trains' unless you are really sure...

There are at least two complete EMU classes running around without the orange cantrail stripes and OHLE warning signs - 444 and 450.

458s don't either, but oddly SWTs 455s DO. As do their 158/159 fleet. Southern's 455/456 and DC-only 375s have it. Southeastern's fleet (perhaps not the 376s?) use platforms at Ashford that have OHL.

Are there any parts of the Merseyrail electric network that also have OHL? They have it

FGW's "west" fleet never travel under OHL, only the HSS and Thames Valley (between Paddington and Heathrow), yet have it.

ATW? Only services from the north into England, so the Pacer fleet at the very least has no real need.

 

[T163R]

FGW's "west" fleet never travel under OHL, only the HSS and Thames Valley (between Paddington and Heathrow), yet have it.

I suppose they should have it in case FGW pass trains to another TOC, that has diesel trains who run under OHL.

 

[Hydro]

Below sole bar level is generally said to be the no go area for DC.

I take it that's a general thing, because for track workers it was always not within a foot unless shielded or isolated, or not within a metre if it was wet.

 

[GB]

I believe it is a general thing to take into account on board conductor equipment etc etc. At least that it my understanding of it....

 

[Cherry_Picker]

It is a general warning. There are plenty of instances where a driver would need to leave the cab and walk along DC lines. Talking on the SPT being a daily occurrence.

 

[ukrob]

Are there any parts of the Merseyrail electric network that also have OHL? They have it

Yes, there is a short section at Hunts Cross.

 

[WillPS]

If that's the maximum safe height then why does it often rise up higher over the cabs (particularly on Turbostars)?

 

[TDK]

Below sole bar level is generally said to be the no go area for DC.

I don't know about now but there were a lot of things a driver was expected to do below sole bare if there were problems without an isolation - maybe it has changed now!

 

[swt_passenger]

If that's the maximum safe height then why does it often rise up higher over the cabs (particularly on Turbostars)?

It isn't necessarily at the exact safe height - it really just has to be a noticeable reminder - the cant rail was as good a place as any to put it on traditional coaching stock as there was usually a structural boundary between coach side and roof, any further up mightn't be visible from the platform. I wouldn't read too much into the exact positioning on modern stock, where the transition from side to roof is less sudden.

(There's a slightly similar factor with yellow warning panel dimensions - as we know most of them are far bigger than required for asthetic reasons.)

 

[GB]

I don't know about now but there were a lot of things a driver was expected to do below sole bare if there were problems without an isolation - maybe it has changed now!

I'm more than likely wrong. I don't usually work in DC land but I seem to remember reading it or hearing it somewhere.

 

[Spagnoletti]

Like underneath the windshields of a class 37?.
The point being if the windshield is broken don't put any appendage outside

There are little stickers on the ends of vehicles warning about the danger of the overhead line,

The orange stripe under the windscreen of a 37 may be to remind anyone standing in the nose when the hatches are open. It's the usual route onto the roof

 

[Flamingo]

Cant is a noun meaning "the slope or angle at which something is set". As the Cant line is usually where the angle of the roof changes, it may be where it got it's name.

 

[Nonsense]

Its not just Network Rail stock that have the stripe. The original metrolink units have it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Metrolink-PiccadillyTunnel-MT.jpg

And even spotted it Irish locos too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ie071.jpg

And Europe

http://class66.railfan.nl/photo/998101-1c.jpg

http://class66.railfan.nl/photo/998101-2g.jpg