Train driver protocol for when a Passenger or any other obstacle is on the tracks

[Harvinder]

Hi,

I would like to know what the exact procedure would be for a train driver when there is a person or any obstacle on the track, what would the driver do step by step please? Thanks

 

[Sly Old Fox]

Report it to the controlling signaller. Beyond that it depends if the train is going slow enough to stop before the obstruction, steps will vary either way.

 

[Harvinder]

If the train is going slow and within the stopping distance, I would first make a safe stop and proceed to report this to the controlling signaller reporting my location and incident soon after safely stopping and logging this into the log book and for de-brief later.

If I am travelling at a speed, I would apply the emergency brake and continuously use the train's horn until the obstacle is cleared, if I can't clear brace for impact. Make sure I am safe and my passengers, then report to controlling signaller.

Is this how it would be done?

 

[AverageJoe]

It really depends on the situation.

Is it a person or large animal/multiple animals that could cause major damage to the train or risk derailing?

Does is it pose a danger to trains on the opposite line?

Obviously if it’s a person you would instantly use emergency brake, sound warning horn.

If it was a large object that could harm me I’d go straight into emergency, press E on gsm-r to bring any trains that could also be affected to a stand and then get out of the can asap.

There is RB procedures as to what to do when there is a danger to passing trains. Hazard lights, train in distress horn, track clips, emergency protection and so on.

 

[Harvinder]

Thank you this helps!

 

[skyhigh]

logging this into the log book

What log book?

 

[Harvinder]

What log book?

Sorry I am not a train driver, this what I am assuming. I thought train trivers have log books where incidents, or anything of particular interest could be added and then at the end of the shift de brief at the depot? I am very keen and interested in being a train driver.

 

[blueberry11]

Basically would the same scenario apply to driving on roads? How about if an obstruction occurred on tramways (ie, broken down vehicle)? The only difference is that you cannot go around an obstacle (swerve) so the e brake is the only way to reduce or even prevent an accident.

 

[skyhigh]

I thought train trivers have log books where incidents, or anything of particular interest could be added and then at the end of the shift de brief at the depot?

No, there's not a log book.

I am very keen and interested in being a train driver.

Enthusiasm is good but if you're wanting to be a driver (or are applying to be one) I would advise not trying to learn what a driver would do in detail. Whatever TOC you train with would want to teach you according to their methods and procedures which can vary by company. It also avoids learning any misconceptions that may be a hinderance later on.

 

[12LDA28C]

If the train is going slow and within the stopping distance, I would first make a safe stop and proceed to report this to the controlling signaller reporting my location and incident soon after safely stopping and logging this into the log book and for de-brief later.

Drivers are not issued with 'log books'. If there is any kind of obstruction on the track which is likely to endanger trains then an emergency stop would be initiated by the driver and a REC (Rail Emergency Call) made to the signaller to get the affected line(s) blocked and trains stopped.

If I am travelling at a speed, I would apply the emergency brake and continuously use the train's horn until the obstacle is cleared, if I can't clear brace for impact. Make sure I am safe and my passengers, then report to controlling signaller.

Is this how it would be done?

An obstacle such as a fallen tree is unlikely to move out of the way whether you sound your horn or not.

If it was a large object that could harm me I’d go straight into emergency, press E on gsm-r to bring any trains that could also be affected to a stand and then get out of the can asap.

Pressing 'E' (Emergency Call? I assume you mean the red button) on the GSM-R does not automatically bring any trains to a stand, the driver of each train will do that and the signaller will decide which signals to put to danger to protect the line.

 

[Sheffcaster202]

Pressing 'E' (Emergency Call? I assume you mean the red button) on the GSM-R does not bring any trains to a stand, it's the signaller that does that.

Red button being pressed certainly does bring all trains in that boxes area and adjacent ones to a stand

Very loud alarm + EMERGENCY EMERGENCY EMERGENCY with stop flashing on the screen. Anyone in that area and the adjacent ones will immediately stop and listen to the emergency broadcast

I’ve been in back cab when one went off just outside Leeds, the incident was at Cottingley but brought everyone to a stand

 

[LAX54]

Pressing 'E' (Emergency Call? I assume you mean the red button) on the GSM-R does not bring any trains to a stand, it's the signaller that does that.

It certainly does STOP ALL trains in that cell, and sometimes the adjoining one too, they will NOT move again until the Signaller tells them its OK to move on.#
In the Signalbox it's a VERY loud 'Star Trek' red alert type alarm

 

[TurboMan]

It certainly does STOP ALL trains in that cell, and sometimes the adjoining one too, they will NOT move again until the Signaller tells them its OK to move on.#
In the Signalbox it's a VERY loud 'Star Trek' red alert type alarm

Strictly speaking it sends a stop message to all trains in that cell and adjacent cells, it's down to the driver to put the brake into emergency to stop the train, then acknowledge that they are at a stand by pressing ST. It's only ETCS where the signaller can withdraw the MA in an emergency, which will bring the train to a stand without the driver having to apply the brake.

 

[12LDA28C]

It certainly does STOP ALL trains in that cell, and sometimes the adjoining one too, they will NOT move again until the Signaller tells them its OK to move on.

Ok I'll rephrase, trains in the vicinity will receive a notification to stop which the driver should act on immediately, but signals will not be replaced to danger automatically, the signaller does that. Original comment now edited.

 

[driver9000]

Sorry I am not a train driver, this what I am assuming. I thought train trivers have log books where incidents, or anything of particular interest could be added and then at the end of the shift de brief at the depot? I am very keen and interested in being a train driver.

We don't have log books although my company tried them out years ago but no one really bothered with them. You would normally write a report out and hand it in wherever your company wants you to put that kind of thing and there probably wouldn't be a debrief either but in the case of some incidents there could be a quick "chain of care" chat or interview depending on the circumstances.

 

[AverageJoe]

As regards the pressing E on the gsm-r… I think all drivers know what I’m talking about.

You could argue that you place emergency protection to stop an oncoming train… well the protection stops nothing. It’s the driver reacting to the dets and red hand signal.

But we aren’t so childish to be that picky are we

 

[ComUtoR]

As regards the pressing E on the gsm-r… I think all drivers know what I’m talking about.

As a Driver, I thought you were referring to the old CSR radios which had an 'EM' button.

However, the GSMR has different methods to contact the Signaller. 'Big Red' is for a REC call and has specific protocols attached to it. 'Old Yella' is for making 'Urgent' calls and you can still use the 'Point to Point' call and immediately state 'This in an Emergency Call' or even 'This is a Rail Dangerous Goods Emergency'

Pedantism or otherwise, I do believe that it is important to understand that none technically stop a train. Personally I've 'ignored one' and made the decision to stop at what I thought was a safe place (didn't use emergency), the next one I missed and got a call from the Signaller asking why I didn't stop (failed to receive the stop message). I know plenty of Drivers who don't use emergency to stop and will just bring their train to a stand normally.

When making an 'Emergency Call' It is important understand the distinctions between Red/Yellow buttons as you treat them differently. I think it's arguable if you need to understand what priority levels each have. I made an Urgent call a couple of weeks ago and it was a split second decision whether to use Red or Yellow; hindsight is a wonderful thing. I would make a different choice if faced with the same situation again.

You could argue that you place emergency protection to stop an oncoming train… well the protection stops nothing.

I had a Driver tell me the other day that when you explode a detonator and there is nobody there, you just continue.

 

[12LDA28C]

I had a Driver tell me the other day that when you explode a detonator and there is nobody there, you just continue.

Off topic, but on LU infrastructure that's exactly what you do. No requirement to stop if you explode one detonator. Just slow down and proceed at caution. Only if you explode more than one are you required to stop.

 

[skyhigh]

I had a Driver tell me the other day that when you explode a detonator and there is nobody there, you just continue.

TW1:

13 Exploding detonators
The person responsible: driver

13.1 At a signal box or when a hand danger signal is shown
driver

If your train explodes one or more detonators at a signal box or when a hand danger signal is being shown, you must:

stop your train immediately

not proceed until given permission to do so.

13.2 Other situations
driver

If your train explodes one or more detonators in any other situation, you must:

stop your train immediately

proceed at caution towards the obstruction, or any signal, end of authority (EoA) or handsignal.

So if there's no obvious reason for the detonator to be placed, the rule book does allow you to proceed at caution to the next signal if nothing else is seen.

Having said that, if I went over a det I wouldn't be moving anywhere until I knew what was happening.

 

[JJmoogle]

About 14 years ago I was on a pacer near Blackburn in the summer time, loads of kids messing about playing chicken on the rails, driver stopped the train, put on a high vis, walked off the train and cleared them off, got back on, phoned it in to the signaller and we were on our way again.

One of the more bizarre events I've seen.

 

[TurboMan]

you can still use the 'Point to Point' call and immediately state 'This in an Emergency Call' or even 'This is a Rail Dangerous Goods Emergency'

Well you could, but given that GSM-R calls are given differing priorities, you run the risk of your point-to-point call reporting a fatality being terminated because someone else has made an urgent call reporting a wrong-route.

 

[Falcon1200]

The Red Button Emergency Call has the added advantage that it is received in the relevant Network Rail Control, as well as by the Signaller, and therefore allows Control to start dealing with their responsibilities in the incident, sometimes even when the call is still in progress.

 

[Harvinder]

Thank you all for your valuable inputs, will take note. Very useful indeed, thanks again.

 

[Horizon22]

No, there's not a log book.

No there isn't, but control (TOC and NR) would have an open log entry for the incident.

 

[Llanigraham]

No there isn't, but control (TOC and NR) would have an open log entry for the incident.

As will the signaller, either in the TRB or in the Occurence Book where TRBs aren't used.