The "Down" things that light up above platforms

mada

Guest

« on: October 20, 2007, 22:06:01 »

What are they for? They look fairly large and expensive and all they appear to do is illuminate the word "Down". Surely if that's all they do they could just be replaced with cheaper LCD monitors displaying the word or something more descriptive. I know that modern ones are still large as they have just installed several at Bristol Parkway on the new platforms. I'm probably missing the blatantly obvious but i'm hoping that some one can answer this as I have been wondering for a while.


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martyjon

Transport Scholar
Hero Member

Posts: 1941

Re: The "Down" things that light up above platforms

« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2007, 22:35:42 »

Quote from: mada on October 20, 2007, 22:06:01

They are signal repeater indicators to advise the driver, train manager and platform dispatchers that the signal is off with the road set to the down line when the signal itself is obscured from the view of whoever needs to know. Same purpose as the ones at BRI^» which display the word OFF. Anyone care to elaborate further.


« Last Edit: October 20, 2007, 23:11:58 by martyjon »	Logged

Conner

Hero Member

Posts: 1041

08436 at Corfe Castle on the Swanage Railway

Re: The "Down" things that light up above platforms

« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2007, 08:46:30 »

I had a book from the libary once about railway acidents once and there was a whole chapter on these indicators. They were mainly designed for the guard of multiple units. When the give the buzzer or flag the driver natrually assumes the signal is clear. This lead to a number or accidents and SPAD^▸ 's as the guard would give the right of way and the driver would pass the signal at danger. This lead to these indicators being installed where the guard or driver cannot see the signal from the stopping mark. It is now the guards responsibility to check the signal is clear before giving the right of way to the driver. When the indicator is illuminated the signal is clear the guard may give the right of way, if not he must wait until the signal is clear before giving the right of way. There are many different types of these indicators such as down and off, at Truro there is an electronic board giving semaphore signal readings.


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vacman

Hero Member

Posts: 2530

Re: The "Down" things that light up above platforms

« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2007, 11:25:27 »

The one at Truro is slightly different, it's a "banner repeater" which is actually more for the driver, it is situated half way down the platform where the "2 car stop" board should be situated, at this point you can't see the starter signal so this relays the signal aspect to the driver and guard.


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