Backing the train out from the FOTR Hermanstad depot into a cold, miserable Hercules station early one winter's morning, August 1st, 2009. Picture: Steve G Appleton, 20090801.
A gray winter's day
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Steve Appleton
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A gray winter's day
A classic British railway shot? It should be - the weather's right, but the track gauge isn't.
Backing the train out from the FOTR Hermanstad depot into a cold, miserable Hercules station early one winter's morning, August 1st, 2009. Picture: Steve G Appleton, 20090801.
Backing the train out from the FOTR Hermanstad depot into a cold, miserable Hercules station early one winter's morning, August 1st, 2009. Picture: Steve G Appleton, 20090801.
"To train or not to train, that is the question"
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Dylan Knott
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- Location: Cape Town
Re: A gray winter's day
How are you allowed to push back in a CTC section? Certainly, not allowed down here.
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Steve Appleton
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Re: A gray winter's day
Yes, but like all movements, only if authorised by CTC. In a section, that would only be authorised under exceptional circumstances - a driver cannot take it upon himself to "set back". Nonetheless there are rules, contained in the manuals, that if authorised by CTC there must be at least two clear blocks protected by signals at danger (from memory -- books are at home) in the rear before it can be allowed.
In the case of FOTR's setting-back out of the Hercules yard, although the train is being propelled, we are essentially carrying out a normal train movement authorised by CTC (in conjuntion with the yard control point shunter) in the form of a single or double yellow signal operated at the yard exit. We are not setting back in a section. As you can see, the signal in the rear is set to green for us to pass it. We push back until the loco has passed the position-light shunt signal you see down between the tracks, before pulling off loco-first towards Cullinan, which is authorised by the operation of that shunt signal when the points have been operated and the track towards Capital Park is clear. To be able to pass that shunt signal on push-back usually means that the rear of the train has to pass that green signal at the left. I will shortly post a few more pics here showing the sequence that day.
We use that same shunt signal (HER 2460) and one more further back after the cross-over to push-back into the yard on returning.
In the case of FOTR's setting-back out of the Hercules yard, although the train is being propelled, we are essentially carrying out a normal train movement authorised by CTC (in conjuntion with the yard control point shunter) in the form of a single or double yellow signal operated at the yard exit. We are not setting back in a section. As you can see, the signal in the rear is set to green for us to pass it. We push back until the loco has passed the position-light shunt signal you see down between the tracks, before pulling off loco-first towards Cullinan, which is authorised by the operation of that shunt signal when the points have been operated and the track towards Capital Park is clear. To be able to pass that shunt signal on push-back usually means that the rear of the train has to pass that green signal at the left. I will shortly post a few more pics here showing the sequence that day.
We use that same shunt signal (HER 2460) and one more further back after the cross-over to push-back into the yard on returning.
"To train or not to train, that is the question"
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Steve Appleton
- Site Admin
- Posts: 3606
- Joined: 23 Jan 2007, 14:14
- Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Re: A gray winter's day
The sequence out of Hercules (FOTR's Hermanstad station) as promised - pictures: a shivering, damp Steve G Appleton, August 1, 2009.
- Waiting for the Metros. Yard exit signal at danger.
- Yet another Metro - serves us right for trying to get out at peak hour!
- Yeah! Radio: "Driver, signal operated single yellow. Clear behind. You may push back!"
- "Driver, next signal is at danger. About 10 coach lengths to a signal at danger!"
- "Driver, next signal has been operated - signal is at green, proceed. Clear all the way back."
"To train or not to train, that is the question"