Module TW8 - RSSB iss … · · 2015-06-24Module TW8 TW8 (issue 1).qxd 16/4/03 10:55 am Page 1...

Level crossings

GE/RT8000 - TW8Rule Book

Issue 1

June 2003

Comes into force 6 December 2003

Mod

ule

TW

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Withdrawn Document Uncontrolled When Printed

© Copyright 2003 Railway Safety

Issue Date Comments Comes into force

1 June 2003 Initial issue 6 December 2003

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You will need this module if you

carry out the duties of a:

• driver

• signaller

• level crossing attendant.

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1 General information

1.1 Locations of level crossings

1.2 Types of level crossing

2 Driver’s general instructions

2.1 Speed of trains approaching automatic or open level crossings

2.2 Wrong-direction movements

2.3 Passing over level crossings that are under local control

2.4 Propelling movements over level crossings

2.5 Reporting equipment failure

3 Automatic half-barrier crossings (AHBC)

3.1 Equipment and operation

3.2 Answering the telephone

3.3 Animals or large, low or slow-moving vehicles

3.4 Routine road maintenance

3.5 Keeping a record of telephone calls

3.6 Opening and closing the signal box


3.8 Routine maintenance of crossing equipment

3.9 Failure of crossing equipment or prolonged occupation of track circuits

3.10 Local control when the operation of the crossing is immediately affected

3.11 Local operation under other circumstances

Contents

Section

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3.12 Local operation during a T3 possession

3.13 When an attendant is on duty at the crossing

3.14 Joint instructions for signallers at supervising and adjacent signal boxes

3.15 Driver carrying out the signaller’s instructions

4 Automatic barrier crossing locally monitored(ABCL) and automatic open crossing locally monitored (AOCL) crossings


4.2 If a train is not required to stop at the crossing

4.3 If a train is required to stop at the crossing

4.4 Failure of equipment

4.5 Failure of equipment and the passage of trains duringdarkness

4.6 Train delayed or stopped out of course when approaching the crossing

4.7 Engineering work or road works affecting the crossing

4.8 Receiving a telephone call

5 Level crossings with full barriers worked by thesignaller, including remote control (RC) and closed-circuit television (CCTV) crossings

5.1 Description

5.2 Making sure the crossing is clear

5.3 Lowering the barriers

5.4 Raising the barriers


5.6 Failure of equipment - all crossings

Section

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Section

5.7 Failure of equipment - other than at RC or CCTV crossings

5.8 Failure of equipment - RC and CCTV crossings

5.9 Movement required to pass a protecting signal at danger

5.10 Wrong-direction movements over crossings other than RC or CCTV crossings

5.11 Wrong-direction movements over RC and CCTV crossings

5.12 Appointing an attendant at an RC or CCTV crossing

5.13 When an attendant is on duty at an RC or CCTV crossing

6 Open crossings (non-automatic)

6.1 Operation

6.2 If a train is not required to stop at the crossing

6.3 If a train is required to stop at the crossing

7 Crossings with red and green warning lights (R/G)


7.2 Animals, or large, low or slow-moving vehicles

7.3 Failure of the crossing lights

7.4 Failure of a telephone


7.6 Vehicles that cannot be relied upon to operate track circuits

Contents

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8 Level crossings with gates worked by a signaller

8.1 Operation

8.2 If the gates fail or are damaged

9 Level crossings operated or supervised by a crossing keeper

9.1 Crossing keeper not reporting for duty

9.2 An emergency affecting the crossing


9.4 Crossing to be clear before the protecting signal is passed at danger

9.5 Wrong-direction movements over crossings other thanRC or CCTV crossings

9.6 Wrong-direction movements over RC or CCTV crossings

9.7 Attendant taking duty at an RC or CCTV crossing supervised by a crossing keeper

9.8 Vehicles that cannot be relied upon to operate track circuits on a track circuit block (TCB) line

9.9 If a train is required to stop in the section

9.10 Train failing between the protecting signal and the level crossing


Section

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Contents

10 Traincrew-operated crossings (TMO)


10.2 Passing over the crossing

11 Occupation and accommodation (including bridleway) level crossings with a telephone


11.2 Signaller receiving a telephone call




12 Barrow or foot crossings with white light indicators



12.3 Movements of small-wheeled trolleys

13 Police officer controlling road traffic at a level crossing

13.1 Authority of a police officer

13.2 Reporting to the supervising signaller

13.3 Signaller protecting the crossing

Section

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1 General information

1.1 Locations of level crossings

The locations of manned, automatic, open and traincrew-operatedlevel crossings are set out in Table A of the Sectional Appendix.

1.2 Types of level crossing

This module covers the equipment and operation of the followingtypes of level crossing:

Automatic crossingsAutomatic half-barrier crossing AHBCAutomatic barrier crossing locally monitored ABCLAutomatic open crossing locally monitored AOCL

Manually controlledAt the location:Manned crossing with barriers MCBManned crossing with gates MGRemotely:Remotely controlled crossing with barriers RCBarrier crossing with closed-circuit television CCTV

Traincrew operated TMO

Open (no barriers, gates or road traffic signals)Open crossing (non-automatic) without road warning OClights

Barrow or foot crossing with white light indicators

User-workedCrossing with red and green warning lights R/GOccupation and accommodation (including bridleway) crossing with a telephone UWC

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2 Driver’s general instructionsThe person responsible: driver

2.1 Speed of trains approaching automatic or open level crossings

You must keep within the permitted speed on the approach to anautomatic or open level crossing so that road users have enoughwarning time.


a) Wrong-direction controls

Some automatic level crossings have controls that allow thecrossings to be operated by trains making wrong-directionmovements. These crossings are identified in the SectionalAppendix by the letter X (for example, AHBC-X or AOCL-X).

A wrong-direction speed restriction board (see the example below)is positioned on the approach to level crossings that havewrong-direction controls.

On single and bi-directional lines, all automatic crossings havecontrols for movements in both directions.

A wrong-direction movement at a crossing that has wrong-direction controls must be made only as shown in theinstructions in this module and module TW7 Wrong-directionmovements.

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b) Making a wrong-direction movement

When you are making a wrong-direction movement at a levelcrossing that has wrong-direction controls, you must not exceedthe speed shown on the wrong-direction speed restriction boardwhile you are approaching and passing over the crossing.

2.3 Passing over level crossings that areunder local control

a) Automatic crossing

If you are told that an automatic level crossing is under localcontrol, you must:

• approach the crossing at caution

• pass over it only if a green handsignal is shown at the crossing.

b) Wrong-direction movement over a CCTV or RC level crossing

If you are making a movement in the wrong direction over a CCTVor RC crossing that is under local control, you must:


• pass over it only if a green handsignal is shown at the crossing.

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2.4 Propelling movements over levelcrossings

Unless the movement is authorised by the local Network Rail areaoperations manager, you must not propel a train over:

• an ABCL

• an AOCL

• an open crossing.

2.5 Reporting equipment failureYou must report any defect or irregularity with level crossingequipment to the signaller in the quickest way possible.

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Automatic half-barrier crossings(AHBC)The people responsible: signaller, driver, level crossingattendant


An AHBC has:

• half barriers and road traffic signals which are operatedautomatically by approaching trains

• telephones linked directly with the supervising signal box.

The signaller monitors the operation of the crossing remotely byobserving the indications in the supervising signal box.

3.2 Answering the telephone

You must immediately answer any telephone call from thecrossing.

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a) Before authorising the movement

Before you authorise the road user to take animals or a large, lowor slow-moving vehicle over the crossing, you must:

• find out from the road user how long the movement will take

• make sure there is enough time between trains to prevent delay

• make sure that the protecting signals are placed or kept atdanger and that any approaching train has passed clear of thecrossing

• give the road user the appropriate message number and tell theuser to report to you, quoting that number, when the movementhas passed clear of the crossing.

If you cannot immediately authorise the movement, you must tellthe road user to wait and telephone again.

b) Resuming normal working

After you have authorised the movement, you must notresume normal working until the road user has reported thatthe movement has passed clear of the crossing.

c) If the road user does not report back

If the road user fails to report back that the movement has clearedthe crossing, you must make sure that the driver of the next train isinstructed to:


• not pass over it until the driver has made sure it is safe to do so

• tell you whether the crossing is safe for the passage of trains.

Until you receive confirmation that the crossing is clear, you mustmake sure that the drivers of subsequent trains are cautioned.

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3.4 Routine road maintenance

If you are told that routine road maintenance lasting only a shorttime is to be done near the crossing that might interfere with theflow of road traffic, you must:

• arrange with the person responsible for the work to be carriedout during a suitable interval between trains

• carry out the requirements shown in section 3.3.

Examples of routine maintenance are:

• work affecting lighting, drains, hedges or ditches

• work involving sweeping or snow clearance.

You must tell the person responsible to report to you when thework has been finished and the crossing is clear.


You must record the following details of each telephone call fromthe crossing about road movements over the crossing and anyroutine road maintenance:

• the name of the crossing

• the time and nature of the request

• how long the caller says the movement or work will take

• the time you give permission for the movement or work to takeplace

• the time the movement is reported clear or the maintenance iscompleted.

You must record the time you caution the next train if the crossingis not reported clear.

You must number each entry progressively on an annual basis.

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a) Using the ‘absence switch’

You must place the absence switch (if provided) in the appropriateposition when you open or close the signal box.

b) If the telephone alarm is sounding

If you open a signal box that has no block switch and find that thetelephone alarm is sounding, you must answer the telephone.

If you cannot get a reply, you must make sure that the driver of thenext train is instructed to:




Until you receive confirmation that the crossing is clear, you mustmake sure that the drivers of subsequent trains are cautioned.

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You must not authorise a wrong-direction movement over anAHBC where there are no wrong-direction controls unless thecrossing is being locally controlled by an attendant.

If an AHBC has wrong-direction controls, you must make sure thatlocal control will be taken if it is not possible for the wrong-directionmovement to start on the approach side of the wrong-directionspeed restriction board.

3.8 Routine maintenance of crossingequipment

a) Allowing the work to be done

Before the signalling technician carries out routine maintenance ofequipment that will interfere with the normal operation of thecrossing, you must give the signalling technician permission for thework to be done.

You must not give this permission unless:

• the protecting signals are at danger

• any approaching train has passed clear of the crossing.

After you have given permission, you must keep the protectingsignals at danger until the technician tells you that:

• the work is finished

• the crossing is again working automatically.

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b) Cautioning trains when the work is finished

If the signalling technician asks you to do so, you must make surethat the driver of the first train in each direction is instructed to:


• not pass over it until the driver has made sure it is safe to do so.

3.9 Failure of crossing equipment orprolonged occupation of track circuits

a) Reasons for the failure

You must treat the crossing equipment as failed if an alarmsounds, or you receive information, indicating that any ofthe following has occurred:

• The road traffic signals are not operating correctly.

• The barriers are other than fully raised or the road traffic signalsare operating when no train is approaching.

• A failed train is occupying a controlling track circuit.

If a failed train is occupying a controlling track circuit, you must:

• remind the driver about the presence of the crossing

• get the driver’s assurance that no further movement will be madeunless you authorise it.

When any of the above circumstances occur, you must carry outthe requirements of section 3.10.

If your train has failed and the signaller reminds you about thepresence of the level crossing, you must assure the signaller thatyou will make no further movement with your train until thesignaller authorises it.

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b) Instructing road users

You must not authorise any road user to pass over the crossingwhile the road traffic signals are lit or the barriers are lowered (orboth), no matter how long the failure might last.

Instead, you must tell the road user to:

• wait until the attendant arrives, or

• take another route avoiding the crossing.

c) Prolonged occupation of a controlling track circuit

You may resume normal working and do not need to tell thesignalling technician if:

• you are sure that the failure indication was caused by a trainoccupying a controlling track circuit for a long time, and

• you then receive an ‘in order’ indication.

If there are repeated intermittent failures, you must treat thecrossing as defective and carry out the requirements of section3.10.

d) Failure of any telephone at the crossing

Until the telephone failure is put right, you must make sure that thedriver of each train is instructed to:



You do not need to apply this instruction if a person is appointedat the crossing who can contact you by using other means ofcommunication.

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e) Power failure indication

If there is an indication that the power to the crossing has failed,you must tell the signalling technician immediately.

You may allow trains to pass normally over the crossing for the firstsix hours of the failure. After that period, until the power supply isrestored, you must make sure that the driver of each train isinstructed to:



3.10 Local control when the operation ofthe crossing is immediately affected

a) Arranging local operation

You must immediately arrange for local control to be taken at anAHBC as soon as possible if any of the following circumstancesoccur:

• A failure of the equipment occurs which affects the normaloperation of the crossing.

• A train fails within the crossing controls.

• The normal flow of road traffic over the crossing is affected byemergency road works or a road traffic incident close to thecrossing.

You must also tell Operations Control and the civil police.

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b) Until local control is taken

Until an attendant has taken local control, you must instruct thedriver of each train requiring to pass over the crossing to:



3.11 Local operation under other circumstances

You must make sure that an attendant has taken local control ofthe AHBC before any of the following activities take place:

a) Repair work and possessions

• Planned road works which will or may affect the normal flow ofroad traffic

• Crossing equipment needs repairing or renewing (other thanunder routine maintenance as set out in section 3.8 of thismodule and in module T1A Failure, renewal and maintenance ofsignalling equipment).

• A T3 possession involving the crossing needs to be taken (seesection 3.12).

If the barriers have failed in the raised position and the roadtraffic signals are not working, you must not authorise a trainto pass over the crossing until there is an attendant at thecrossing.

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b) A wrong-direction movement over a crossing which hasno wrong-direction controls

• An authorised movement needs to be made over the crossing ina direction for which there are no controls.

• Single line working is to be introduced and there are no wrong-direction controls.

c) Movements of trains or rail vehicles within thecrossing controls

• A train is required to stop in the section within the crossingcontrols.

• A trolley is required to come within the crossing controls.

• A vehicle that cannot be relied upon to operate track circuits isrequired to come within the crossing controls at a crossing whichhas no treadles on a double line.

3.12 Local operation during a T3 possession

You must make sure that an attendant has taken local control ofan AHBC if a T3 possession needs to be taken which involves thecrossing.

You must make sure the crossing is operated locally during thewhole time of the possession unless any of the followingcircumstances applies:

• The crossing controls will not be activated by the work that istaking place.

• The only movements over the crossing will be those ofengineering trains passing normally in a direction for which thereare controls.

• It has been agreed with the local Network Rail area operationsmanager that the crossing needs to be under local control onlywhile it is affected by the work.

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3.13 When an attendant is on duty at the crossing

a) Attendant arriving at the crossing

You must report your arrival at the crossing to the signaller.

b) Signaller’s precautions before allowing local controlto be taken

You must not permit the attendant to take local control unless theprotecting signals are at danger.

You must also make sure any approaching train (other than afailed train which has passed those signals) has passed clear ofthe crossing unless you have already instructed the driver of thattrain to:



c) Alleged failure of the barriers to lower or alleged failure of the road traffic lights (or both)

You must instruct the attendant to take local control only when thesignalling technician gives you permission.

Before local control is taken, you must instruct the attendant to:

• observe the passage of trains

• tell you about any irregularities in the operation of the crossing.

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You must instruct the driver of any train that is required to passover the crossing to:



If it is confirmed that the barriers have failed in the raised positionand the road traffic signals are not working, you must not giveauthority for a train to pass over the crossing until the attendanthas taken local control of the crossing.

d) After local control has been taken

After local control has been taken and before you clear theprotecting signal (or before you clear the signal which controls theentrance to the single line during single line working), you mustinstruct the driver of each train to:


• not pass over it until authorised by a green handsignal shown atthe crossing.

You must tell the attendant about the approach of each train inenough time to allow the attendant to close the crossing to roadtraffic before the train arrives.

When the signaller tells you that a train is approaching thecrossing, you must:

• close the crossing to road traffic before the train approaches

• show a green handsignal to the driver of the train.

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e) When local control is no longer necessary

You must instruct the attendant to reset the equipment forautomatic working when you are sure:

• no train is approaching the crossing, and

• any train which has passed over the crossing has also passedwell clear of the crossing controls for each direction. (Ifnecessary, you must wait until the train is clear of the section.)

Before you authorise the attendant to leave the crossing andnormal working to be resumed, you must make sure that you havethe normal indications from the crossing after it has been resetfor automatic working.

f) Recording in a Train Register

You must record in the Train Register the time at which theattendant takes and gives up local control.

3.14 Joint instructions for signallers atsupervising and adjacent signal boxes

These instructions apply if the protecting signal is controlled byanother signaller.

a) Instructing the signaller at an adjacent signal box

If any of the circumstances described in this section 3 affect thesignaller at an adjacent signal box, you must tell this signallerabout them.

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You must instruct the signaller at the adjacent signal box to carryout the relevant requirements of this section 3 whenever thefollowing is needed:

1 The protecting signal controlled from the adjacent signal box isto be maintained at danger and trains are not to be allowed toapproach the crossing, or

2 Before the protecting signal is cleared, the driver is to beinstructed to:

• approach the crossing at caution and not pass over it untilthe driver has made sure that it is safe to do so, or

• proceed on the authority of a green handsignal shown at thecrossing when there is an attendant at the crossing.

In either case, you must tell the other signaller when normalworking may be resumed.

b) Sending the 8-4 bell signal

If requirement 2 above applies during the failure of communicationbetween the signal boxes, you must send the 8-4 bell signal.

You must acknowledge this bell signal by repetition and, untilnormal working is resumed, you must instruct the driver ofeach train to approach the crossing at caution and:

• not pass over it until the driver has made sure it is safe to do so,or

• proceed on the authority of a green handsignal shown at thecrossing if an attendant is present.

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c) If regulation 11.3 of module TS3 Absolute block regulations is in operation

If this regulation is in operation you must, before authorising adriver to pass the protecting signal at danger, instruct the driver to:



d) Wrong-direction movements from an adjacent signal box

Before you authorise a movement to approach in a direction forwhich there are no controls, you must confirm with the signaller atthe supervising signal box that the crossing is being operatedlocally.

3.15 Driver carrying out the signaller’sinstructions

You must carry out the signaller’s instructions when you approachan AHBC under abnormal situations.

The signaller will instruct you to approach the crossing at cautionand not pass over it until:

• you have made sure it is safe to do so, or

• you are given a green handsignal by an attendant at thecrossing.

In some circumstances, the signaller will ask you to find outwhether the crossing is safe for the passage of trains.

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Automatic barrier crossing locallymonitored (ABCL) and automaticopen crossing locally monitored(AOCL) crossingsThe people responsible: driver, signaller


There are two types of automatic crossing that are locallymonitored:

• Automatic barrier crossing locally monitored (ABCL).

• Automatic open crossing locally monitored (AOCL).

a) Equipment

An ABCL has:

• half barriers

• road traffic signals

• a telephone linked to the signal box.

An AOCL has only road traffic signals.

Some AOCLs have a telephone linked to the signal box.

b) Operation

The equipment at both types of crossing is operated:

• automatically by approaching trains, or

• by a driver’s plunger or other equipment.

The driver locally monitors the road traffic signals (and the halfbarriers at an ABCL) by observing a white flashing light thatindicates the equipment is operating correctly.

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If the road traffic signals operate or the half barriers stay downfor an unusually long time, the white flashing light will go out.Soon afterwards:

• the road traffic signals will go out, and

• at an ABCL, the half barriers will rise.

At an ABCL and some AOCLs, another light next to the crossingflashes red when the white light is not lit.

4.2 If a train is not required to stop at thecrossing

a) Normal working

On passing the warning board, you must control the speed ofyour train to comply with the speed shown on the speedrestriction board.

A warning board A speed restriction board

If two speeds are shown on the speed restriction board, thehigher speed (bottom figure) applies to:

• passenger trains (loaded or empty)

• parcel or postal trains (loaded or empty)

• light locomotives.

The lower speed (top figure) applies to all other trains.

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On passing the speed restriction board, you must make sure:

• you can see that the crossing is clear, and

• the white light next to the crossing is flashing.

You may then:

• proceed to the crossing at a speed which is not greater than thatshown on the speed restriction board

• accelerate as soon as the front of the train is on the crossing.

b) If the crossing is not working normally

Before reaching the crossing, you must stop your trainimmediately if:

• the white light next to the crossing is not flashing or, at an ABCLand some AOCLs, the red light is flashing

• the crossing is obstructed

• you cannot see if the crossing is clear because there is fog orfalling snow, or the lighting has failed, or for any other reason

• you are driving an on-track machine which cannot be reliedupon to operate track circuits

• your movement is being made in the wrong direction and thereare no wrong-direction controls.

Before passing over the crossing in any of these circumstances,you must:

• sound the horn

• restart your train and move at caution towards the crossing

• not pass over the crossing until you are sure it is safe to do so

• sound the horn continuously until the front of your train is on thecrossing.

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c) Emergency plunger

At some crossings there is an emergency plunger in a lockedcabinet next to the white-light post which you must use to operatethe crossing controls when:

• the level crossing equipment has failed, or

• the equipment has stopped working because it has beenoperated for an unusually long time.

After you have operated the plunger, you may pass over thecrossing but before doing so, you must:

• treat the crossing as having failed


4.3 If a train is required to stop at thecrossing

a) Normal working

On passing the warning board, you must control the speed of yourtrain to stop at the stop board.

After you have stopped at the stop board, you must:

• if there is a plunger, operate it to activate the road traffic signalsbut not before you are ready to restart your train

• make sure you can see the crossing is clear and that the whitelight next to the crossing is flashing

• sound the horn, restart your train and proceed over the crossing.

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b) If the crossing is not working normally

You must stop before reaching the crossing if:

• the white light next to the crossing is not flashing or, at an ABCLand some AOCLs, the red light is flashing

• the crossing is obstructed

• you cannot see if the crossing is clear because there is fog orfalling snow, or the lighting has failed, or for any other reason.

However, you may pass over the crossing in any of thesecircumstances, provided you:

• make sure it is safe to do so


c) Emergency plunger

At some crossings there is an emergency plunger in a lockedcabinet next to the white-light post that you must use to operatethe crossing controls when:

• the level crossing equipment has failed, or

• the equipment has stopped working because it has beenoperated an unusually long time.

After you have operated the plunger, you may pass over thecrossing but you must:

• treat the crossing as having failed


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If you are told that the road traffic signals at an AOCL or ABCLhave failed, or the barriers have also failed at the ABCL, you musttell:

• the signalling technician, and

• Operations Control.

Until normal working is resumed, you must instruct the driver ofeach train to:

• stop at the crossing

• not pass over the crossing until the driver has made sure it issafe to do so, if necessary by operating the driver’s emergencyplunger.

Where necessary, you must tell the signaller at the other end ofthe section.

If you are instructed by the signaller, you must:

• stop at the crossing

• not pass over the crossing until you have made sure it is safe todo so, if necessary by operating the emergency plunger.

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4.5 Failure of equipment and the passage of trains during darkness

a) Signaller’s actions

During darkness, you must not allow a train to pass over thecrossing unless one of the following conditions applies:

• The train is a passenger or empty coaching stock (ECS) trainwith the interior lights lit.

• Arrangements have been made for the crossing to be closed toroad traffic.

• There is an attendant at the crossing who has arranged for ared light to be shown on each road approach to stop road trafficusing the crossing when a train is required to pass over it.

Exception

You do not need to carry out the above instructions at an ABCL if:

• the barriers have failed in the lowered position, and

• the lights on the barriers are lit.

b) Driver’s actions

If the white light at the crossing is not flashing, you must not passover the crossing during darkness unless one of the conditions insection 4.5 a) applies.

4.6 Train delayed or stopped out of coursewhen approaching the crossing

If your train is delayed or stopped out of course on the approachto a crossing after the white light has started flashing, you mustapproach the crossing at caution even if the white light continuesto flash.

If the white light is still flashing when your train reaches thecrossing, you may pass over the crossing without stopping.

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If the white light has stopped flashing when your train reachesthe crossing, you must:

• stop short of the crossing

• operate the emergency plunger (if provided)

• pass over the crossing only if it is safe to do so


4.7 Engineering work or road worksaffecting the crossing

If engineering work is likely to cause the crossing equipment to beoperated, or the normal flow of traffic over the crossing is likely tobe affected by road works close to the crossing, you must makesure that arrangements are made for:

• the road traffic signals to be switched off

• the barriers to be left in the raised position at an ABCL.

You must:

• tell the driver of each train involved about these arrangements,and

• instruct each driver to treat the crossing as having failed.

If the signaller tells you about these arrangements, you musttreat the crossing as having failed and:

• stop short of the crossing and pass over it only if it is safe to doso


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4.8 Receiving a telephone call

You must immediately answer any telephone call from the crossingand carry out the requirements of section 3 of this moduleabout:

• a road user passing over the crossing with animals or large, lowor slow-moving vehicles (section 3.3)

• keeping a record of all telephone calls (section 3.5).

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Level crossings with full barriersworked by the signaller, includingremote control (RC) and closed-circuit television (CCTV)crossingsThe people responsible: signaller, driver, level crossingattendant

5.1 Description

The instructions in this section apply to the following types of levelcrossing that have full barriers and are:

• located at signal boxes and worked by the signaller

• worked by the signaller using remote control (RC)

• worked by the signaller using closed-circuit television (CCTV)surveillance.

The normal position of the barriers is raised, and they must beoperated without delaying trains.

5.2 Making sure the crossing is clear

a) Using the ‘crossing-clear’ button

You must press the ‘crossing-clear’ button when:

• the barriers are fully lowered, and

• you are sure that the crossing is clear.

b) If there is no ‘crossing-clear’ button

You must not clear the protecting signals until:

• the barriers are fully lowered, and

• you have made sure that the crossing is clear.

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5.3 Lowering the barriers

You must place the auto-lower switch (if provided) in the ‘manual’position and lower the barriers by using the ’lower’ button if any ofthe following occurs:

• at least one pair of the road traffic signals has failed

• you become aware that there is road traffic congestion at thecrossing

• a track circuit controlling the auto-lower facility fails.

You must also carry out this instruction if any of the followingtypes of movement is required to pass over the crossing:

• a trolley, or any vehicle that cannot be relied upon to operatetrack circuits

• an unsignalled movement, or any movement for which theauto-lower facility does not apply.

5.4 Raising the barriers

You must not raise the barriers until:

• any approaching train has passed clear of the crossing


• no route has been set beyond the protecting signals.

You must place the auto-raise switch (if provided) in the ‘manual’position before you press the ‘crossing-clear’ button if any of thefollowing circumstances applies:

• A second train might approach almost immediately on thesame or another line.

• You are required to authorise a driver to pass a protectingsignal at danger.

• The barriers have failed in the lowered position and a train isrequired to pass over the crossing.

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You must also carry out this instruction if any of the followingtypes of movement is required to pass over the crossing:

• a trolley, or any vehicle that cannot be relied upon to operatetrack circuits

• a shunting movement

• an unsignalled movement, or any movement for which theauto-raise facility does not apply.


You must place the absence switch (if provided) in theappropriate position when you open or close the signal box.

5.6 Failure of equipment - all crossings

a) Failure of road traffic signals

If the road signals indicator does not light up after you havepressed the ‘lower’ button, you must:

• treat the red road traffic signals as having failed

• immediately stop the lowering sequence, if possible.

If you have managed to stop the lowering sequence, you mustthen:

• lower the barriers enough to show your intention to road users,and

• after a short pause, continue to lower the barriers until they arefully lowered. (At an RC or CCTV crossing, the barriers will thenstay in this position for the duration of the failure.)

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b) Instructing the driver

If you can clear the protecting signal, you must first instruct thedriver to:



As instructed by the signaller, you must:


• not pass over it until you are sure it is safe to do so.

If you cannot clear the protecting signal, you must instruct thedriver to pass the signal at danger (see section 5.9).

5.7 Failure of equipment - other than at RC or CCTV crossings

a) Barriers failing to rise

If a barrier fails to rise, you must:

• immediately stop the raising sequence

• lower the barriers as soon as you are sure it is safe to do so.

You must then raise the defective barrier manually.

b) Operating the barriers manually

When you operate the barriers manually, you must make sure theroad traffic signals are lit by:

• pressing the ‘lower’ button, or

• lowering a nearside barrier enough to activate the red roadtraffic signals before the pump handles are restored to the‘normal’ position.

If only the raise function has failed, you can raise the barriersmanually. You can lower them by pressing the ‘lower’ button.

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If there are nearside and offside barriers

You must lower the barriers that are on the nearside of the roadbefore you lower the offside barriers.

You must raise the offside barriers before you raise the barriersthat are on the nearside of the road.

c) Securing the barriers

You must make sure the barriers are not left unattended during afailure unless:

• they are secured to prevent them lowering

• the door of the local control unit is closed

• the doors of the barrier machines are closed.

d) Failure of road traffic signals

If the road traffic signals fail, you need to send for an attendantonly if you need help operating the barriers safely and withoutundue delay.

e) Failure or occupation of a track circuit controlling thebarriers

If there is a sealed release that allows you to raise the barrierswhen a track circuit controlling the barriers fails or is occupied by afailed train, you must make sure, before you operate the release,that:


• the signal levers are in the normal position


• if a failed train is occupying the track circuit, you get the driver’sassurance that no further movement will be made unless youauthorise it

• the auto-raise switch, if provided, is in the ‘manual’ position.

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5.8 Failure of equipment - RC and CCTV crossings

a) Barrier alarm

If a barrier is displaced or does not rise within the normal time, thebarrier alarm will sound, and if this happens you must:

• immediately check the crossing

• take whatever action is necessary.

b) Failure of the power supply

If the main power supply fails and the failure is likely to last foran extended period:

• you must get the advice of the signalling technician

• if necessary, send for an attendant.

c) Failing to get a satisfactory view or picture of the crossing

If your view or picture of the crossing is unsatisfactory, you mustsend for the assistance of an attendant.

Until the attendant arrives, you must authorise the driver of eachtrain to pass the protecting signal at danger (see section 5.9).

Before you lower the barriers when the attendant is on duty, youmust tell this person that you are about to do so.

Before you clear the protecting signals, you must confirm with theattendant that:

• the barriers are fully lowered

• the crossing is clear.

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d) Failure or occupation of a track circuit controllingthe barriers

You must treat the barriers as having failed in the loweredposition and carry out the requirements of section 5.8 e) if theyare held in that position because a track circuit between theprotecting signal and the crossing:

• has failed, or

• is occupied by a failed train.

If a failed train is occupying such a track circuit, you must:

• remind the driver that the train is occupying a controlling trackcircuit for the crossing

• get the driver’s assurance that no further movement will be madeunless you authorise it.

If a track circuit fails when the barriers are in the raised position,you must:

• lower the barriers, and

• carry out the requirements of section 5.8 e).

e) Failure of barriers in the lowered position

If the barriers fail in the lowered position, you must place and keepthe auto-raise switch in the ‘manual’ position until the failure hasbeen put right.

If the red road traffic signals are working, you may allow trains toproceed over the crossing normally.

If the red road traffic signals are not working, you must authorisethe driver of each train to pass the protecting signal at danger (seesection 5.9).

You must report the failure of the barriers to Operations Controland the civil police.

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f) Failure of barriers in the raised position

Before you authorise any driver to pass the protecting signal atdanger (see section 5.9), you must:

• press the ‘lower’ button

• make sure the road signals indicator is lit.

If the road traffic signals are not working, you must not authoriseany train to pass over the crossing until an attendant has taken upduty at the crossing.

5.9 Movement required to pass a protecting signal at danger

a) Signaller’s safety measures

Before you authorise a driver to pass at danger a signalprotecting the crossing, you must:

• place or keep the auto-raise switch, if provided, in the ‘manual’position and place a reminder appliance over the switch

• lower the barriers, if possible

• get confirmation, if possible, that the crossing is clear. (If it is,press the ‘crossing-clear’ button, if provided)

• instruct the driver to approach the crossing at caution and passover it only if it is safe to do so

• carry out the appropriate requirements of module S5 Passing asignal at danger.

b) Using reminder appliances

You must keep the reminder appliance on the auto-raise switch:

• for as long as the signal is required to be passed at danger, and

• during the passage of a train over the crossing on an unaffectedline under clear signals.

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You must also keep a reminder appliance over the ‘raise’ buttonthroughout this time, and remove the appliance only if you need toraise the barriers, after which you must immediately place it overthe ‘raise’ button again.

5.10Wrong-direction movements overcrossings other than RC or CCTVcrossings

Before you authorise a driver to pass over a crossing in adirection for which there is no signal, you must:

• carry out the appropriate requirements of module TW7 Wrong-direction movements

• make sure that the barriers are fully lowered and the crossing isclear.

You must then authorise the driver to proceed by showing agreen handsignal.

5.11 Wrong-direction movements over RC and CCTV crossings

a) If an attendant is at the crossing

In all circumstances other than single line working

If an attendant has taken duty at the crossing (whether or not it isunder local control), you may authorise the driver to approach thecrossing without stopping opposite the protecting signal on theother line.

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During single line working

You must carry out the instructions shown in section 5.11a).

However, you must instruct the driver not to pass over the crossinguntil authorised by a green handsignal shown at the crossing.

Unless the attendant has taken local control, you must:

• make sure the barriers are fully lowered

• make sure the crossing is clear, and then

• instruct the attendant to show a green handsignal to authorisethe driver to pass over the crossing.

b) If there is no attendant at the crossing


You must instruct the driver to stop opposite the protecting signalon the other line.

Before you then authorise the driver to proceed, you must:

• carry out the appropriate requirements of module TW7Wrong-direction movements


• make sure the crossing is clear.


Before you authorise the driver of each train to proceed over thesingle line in the wrong direction where no attendant is needed (asauthorised in the Signal Box Special Instructions), you must:


• make sure the crossing is clear

• place the auto-raise switch in the ‘manual’ position.

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5.12 Appointing an attendant at an RC orCCTV crossing

Unless it has been prearranged, you must call for an attendant ifany of the following circumstances applies:

1 You cannot get a satisfactory view or picture of the crossing and a pedestrian might not easily be seen when walking between the barriers.

2 The barriers fail to respond to the controls.

3 A track circuit between the protecting signals and the crossingfails, or is disconnected or is occupied by a failed train.

4 The main power supply fails and the failure is likely to last for anextended period.

5 Before you grant possession of one or more lines if work will becarried out that:

• might cause track circuits to be activated within 200 metres (approximately 200 yards) on either side of the crossing, orwithin the protecting signal if it is more than that distance from the crossing, or

• an engineering train will be required to work within either ofthe above distances

(you must make sure that an attendant takes duty before yougrant possession unless the Network Rail area operations manager has agreed that the attendant need only be provided during the times when the crossing is affected by the work).

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6 Single line working is to be introduced over the crossing(you must make sure that the attendant has taken duty beforeyou allow the first train in the wrong direction to pass over thecrossing).

Exception You do not need to carry out requirement 6 ifunder the authority of the Signal Box Special Instructions, noattendant is needed for the purposes of single line working.

5.13 When an attendant is on duty at an RC or CCTV crossing

a) Attendant taking up duty

You must report to the signaller that you have arrived at thecrossing.

b) Deciding whether local control should be continuousor intermittent

You must take into account the volume of road and rail movementsthat is likely during the time the attendant is on duty. You must thendecide:

• whether the local control should be continuous, or

• if the barriers should be kept lowered and local control takenonly when road traffic is required to pass.

Whichever you decide, you must instruct the attendant accordingly.

c) Signaller’s precautions before allowing local control to be taken

You must not permit the attendant to take local control unless:



• no route has been set beyond the protecting signals.

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However, you may permit the attendant to take local control if:

• a train fails between the protecting signal and the crossing andyou have instructed the driver to make no further movementwithout your authority, or

• on a line under possession, there is an engineering trainbetween the protecting signal and the crossing.

d) When the crossing is on local control

When the crossing is on local control, you must:

• advise the attendant of each approaching train

• instruct the attendant to lower the barriers.

Before you authorise the driver to pass the protecting signal atdanger, you must check with the attendant that:

• the barriers are lowered

• the crossing is clear.

However, you must instruct the attendant to authorise the driver toproceed over the crossing, when the attendant is sure it is safe todo so, if:

• the movement is in a direction for which there is no signal, or

• the movement (in either direction) is on a line under possession.

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In either of the above cases, you must:

• tell the signaller when the train has passed clear of the crossing

• get the signaller’s permission before you raise the barriers.

You must not give the attendant permission to raise the barriers ifanother train has been, or is about to be, authorised to pass overthe crossing.

e) When the attendant is on duty but the crossing is noton local control

You may signal trains normally over the crossing.

However, if the movement is in a direction for which there is nosignal, or the movement (in either direction) is on a line underpossession, you must:

• make sure that the barriers are fully lowered

• make sure the crossing is clear, and then

• instruct the attendant to authorise the driver to pass over thecrossing.

f) When local control is no longer necessary

You must instruct the attendant to:

• lower the barriers

• reset the crossing for normal working.

Before you authorise the attendant to leave, you must make surethat the barriers respond correctly when you operate them fromyour signal box.


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g) Recording in the Train Register

You must record in the Train Register the times at which the attendant:

• takes duty at the crossing

• takes local control

• gives up local control

• is authorised to leave the crossing.

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driver

Open crossings (non-automatic)The person responsible: driver

6.1 Operation

An open crossing has no barriers, gates or road traffic signals.

There is a ‘Give Way’ sign on each road approach.

6.2 If a train is not required to stop at thecrossing

a) Normal working

On passing the warning board, you must control the speed ofyour train to comply with the restriction of speed that applies fromthe combined speed and whistle board to the crossing.

A warning board A combined speed and whistle board

If two speeds are shown on the combined speed and whistleboard, the higher speed (bottom figure) applies to:

• passenger trains (loaded or empty)

• parcel or postal trains (loaded or empty)

• light locomotives.

The lower speed (top figure) applies to all other trains.

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On passing the combined speed and whistle board, you mustmake sure you can see the crossing is clear.

You may then:

• proceed to the crossing at a speed which is not greater thanthat shown on the combined speed and whistle board

• accelerate as soon as the front of your train is on the crossing.

b) Abnormal working

You must stop before reaching the crossing if:

• it is obstructed, or

• you cannot see if the crossing is clear because of fog or fallingsnow, or for any other reason.

However, you may then pass over the crossing provided that you:

• make sure it is safe to do so


6.3 If a train is required to stop at thecrossing

On passing the warning board, you must control the speed ofyour train to stop at the stop board.

Before passing the stop board, you must make sure it is safe topass over the crossing.

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Crossings with red and greenwarning lights (R/G)The people responsible: signaller, driver


This type of crossing has:

• red and green warning lights operated by approaching trains forthe guidance of crossing users

• user-worked barriers or gates.

At some crossings used by road vehicles, there are telephoneslinked directly with the signal box controlling that portion of theline.

At R/G level crossings used by road vehicles, the normal positionof the barriers or gates is across the roadway.


If there is a telephone at the crossing, you must carry out thefollowing requirements when a user needs to take animals or large,low or slow-moving vehicles over the crossing:


Before you authorise the user to take animals or a large, low orslow-moving vehicle over the crossing, you must:



• make sure that the protecting signals are placed or kept atdanger and that any approaching train has passed clear of thecrossing

• tell the user to report to you when the movement has passedclear of the crossing.

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After you have authorised the movement, you must not resumenormal working until the user has reported that the movement haspassed clear of the crossing.

c) If the crossing user does not report back

If the crossing user fails to report back that the movement hascleared the crossing, you must make sure that the driver of thenext train is instructed to:




If necessary, you must make sure that the drivers of subsequenttrains are similarly instructed until you receive confirmation thatthe crossing is clear.

d) Protecting signal controlled by another signaller

Where another signaller controls a protecting signal, you musttell this person about the circumstances.

You must instruct the other signaller to carry out therequirements of sections 7.2 a), 7.2 b) and 7.2 c):

• whenever this signal must be kept at danger, or

• when the driver is required to be cautioned.

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7.3 Failure of the crossing lights

If the lights fail at a crossing which has a telephone, the user isrequired to telephone you before taking any vehicles or animalsover the crossing.

In these circumstances you must:

• carry out instructions 7.2 a) to 7.2 d)

• tell the signalling technician about the failure.


If a telephone at a crossing fails, you must instruct the driver ofeach train:

• to approach the crossing at caution

• not to pass over the crossing until the driver has made sure it issafe to do so.

You must continue with these arrangements until the failure is putright.

However, you do not need to caution drivers if:

• there is another way of communicating that allows the crossingto be used safely

• the crossing is temporarily secured and locked out of use.

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Before you authorise a wrong-direction movement, you mustinstruct the driver to:



• sound the horn

• pass over the crossing only if it safe to do so.

If there are wrong-direction controls, you do not need to carryout this instruction unless the movement starts between thewrong-direction speed board and the crossing.

If you are making a wrong-direction movement, you must carryout the above instructions from the signaller as necessary.

7.6 Vehicles that cannot be relied upon to operate track circuits

When making a movement with any vehicle that cannot be reliedupon to operate track circuits, you must:



• sound the horn

• pass over the crossing only if it is safe to do so.

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Level crossings with gates workedby a signallerThe person responsible: signaller

8.1 Operation

The gates are normally kept closed to road traffic.

Where authority is given in the Signal Box Special Instructions forthe gates to be normally open for road traffic, you must operatethem without delaying trains.

Unless it is safe to do so, you must not:

• open the gates for road traffic

• release wicket gates for pedestrians.

You must make sure that the lamps on the gates are lit duringdarkness, fog or falling snow.

8.2 If the gates fail or are damaged

During a failure of the gates or when they are damaged, you mayclear the protecting signal for a train when you are sure it is safefor the train to proceed.

However, you must not clear the signal until the train is close to it.

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Level crossings operated orsupervised by a crossing keeperThe people responsible: signaller, driver

9.1 Crossing keeper not reporting for duty

If the crossing keeper does not report for duty when the line opensfor traffic, you must arrange for a person:

• to be sent to the crossing to find out the circumstances, and

• if necessary, to operate the crossing.

9.2 An emergency affecting the crossing

If any emergency is likely to affect the crossing, you must:

• if possible, tell the crossing keeper about the emergency

• give the crossing keeper any necessary instructions.


a) If the protecting signal cannot display a caution ordanger aspect, as appropriate

If the protecting signal is a semi-automatic signal or is controlledfrom your signal box, you must get the crossing keeper’sassurance that the crossing is closed to road traffic before youauthorise the driver to pass that signal.

You must also instruct each driver to:

• approach the level crossing at caution


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As instructed by the signaller, you must:

• approach the level crossing at caution


b) Failure of equipment requiring the protecting signalto be passed at danger

If the protecting signal is a semi-automatic, or is controlled fromyour signal box, you must get the crossing keeper’s assurance thatthe crossing is closed to road traffic before you authorise the driverto pass that signal, as set out in module S5 Passing a signal atdanger.

You must also caution each driver as instructed in section 9.3 a).

You must not allow trains to pass over an RC or CCTV crossinguntil an attendant has taken up duty if:

• the barriers have failed in the raised position, and

• the road traffic signals are not working.

c) Failure of equipment requiring drivers to be cautioned before the protecting signal is cleared

You must caution each driver as shown in section 9.3 a).

Each time you caution a driver under these circumstances, youmust also tell the crossing keeper, where necessary.

d) If the barriers or gates cannot be properly closed toroad traffic at a crossing not protected by signals


e) Unsatisfactory view or picture of the crossing


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9.4 Crossing to be clear before theprotecting signal is passed at danger

Before you authorise a driver to pass at danger a signal whichalso protects a level crossing operated by a crossing keeper, youmust get confirmation from the crossing keeper that the crossing:

• is closed to road traffic

• is clear and safe for the train movement.

9.5 Wrong-direction movements overcrossings other than RC or CCTVcrossings

Before you authorise a wrong-direction movement to pass over alevel crossing that is operated by a crossing keeper and protectedby signals, you must make sure that the driver is instructed toapproach the crossing at caution and:

• not pass over the crossing until authorised by a greenhandsignal shown by the crossing keeper, or

• if the normal position of the barriers or gates is across theroadway, not pass over it until the driver has made sure it is safeto do so.

9.6 Wrong-direction movements over RC or CCTV crossings

a) If an attendant is at the crossing


If you have been told by the crossing keeper that an attendant hastaken duty at the crossing, you may authorise the driver toapproach the crossing without stopping opposite the protectingsignal on the other line.

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You must carry out the instructions shown in section 9.6 a).

However, you must instruct the driver not to pass over thecrossing until authorised by a green handsignal shown at thecrossing.

b) If there is no attendant at the crossing


You must instruct the driver to stop opposite the protecting signalon the other line.

Before you authorise the driver to proceed, you must getconfirmation from the crossing keeper that:


• the crossing is clear and safe for the train movement.


Before you authorise the driver of each train to proceed over thesingle line in the wrong direction if no attendant is required at thecrossing (as authorised in the Signal Box Special Instructions), youmust get confirmation from the crossing keeper that:


• the crossing is clear

• the auto-raise switch is in the ‘manual’ position.

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9.7 Attendant taking duty at an RC or CCTV crossing supervised by a crossing keeper

a) Recording the details

You must record in your Train Register the times at which theattendant:

• takes duty at the crossing

• takes local control

• gives up local control

• leaves the crossing.

(The crossing keeper will tell you these times.)

b) During single line working

Before you allow the first train in the wrong direction to passover the crossing during single line working, you must getconfirmation from the crossing keeper that an attendant hastaken duty at the crossing.

c) Granting a T3 possession

You must make sure that an attendant has taken duty at thecrossing before you grant possession if:

• work will be carried out that might cause track circuits to beactivated within 200 metres (approximately 200 yards) on eitherside of the crossing, or within the protecting signal if it is morethan that distance from the crossing, or

• engineering trains will be required to work within either of theabove distances.

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9.8 Vehicles that cannot be relied upon tooperate track circuits on a track circuit block (TCB) line

If the barriers or gates at a crossing on a TCB line are normallyopen to road traffic, you must tell the crossing keeper about theapproach of any vehicle that cannot be relied upon to operatetrack circuits.

9.9 If a train is required to stop in thesection

If a train is required to stop before passing over a level crossingoperated by a crossing keeper, you must tell the crossing keeper,if possible.

9.10 Train failing between the protectingsignal and the level crossing

If a train fails between the protecting signal and a crossingoperated by a crossing keeper, you must instruct the driver tomake no further movement without your authority.

Before you give the driver this authority, you must get confirmationfrom the crossing keeper that the crossing is closed to road traffic.

In this situation, you must assure the signaller that you will makeno further movement with your train until the signaller authorises it.


The crossing keeper will tell you when animals or a large, low orslow-moving vehicle are to pass over a crossing that is notprotected by signals.

You must then carry out the applicable instructions of 7.2 a), 7.2 b)and 7.2 c) with the help of the crossing keeper as necessary.

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Traincrew-operated crossings(TMO)The person responsible: driver


These crossings are equipped with barriers (with or without roadtraffic signals) or gates.

The barriers or gates are operated by a nominated person, whowill have the keys or other equipment to do this.

10.2 Passing over the crossing

a) Controlling train speed

On passing the warning board (see the diagram in section 4.2 a)or distant signal, you must control the speed of your train to stop:

• at the stop board, or

• well short of the crossing if there is no stop board.

b) Closing the crossing to road traffic

After your train has stopped, a nominated person will operate thebarriers or gates to close the crossing to road traffic.

c) If a white flashing light is provided at the crossing

If a white flashing light is provided next to the stop board, youmust pass over the crossing only:

• if the white light is flashing, or

• if the white light is not flashing, it is safe to do so.

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driver

d) Opening the crossing to road traffic

After your train has passed over the crossing, a nominated personwill:

• raise the barriers fully and re-lock the barrier control unit, or

• open the gates to road traffic and re-lock them.

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Occupation and accommodation(including bridleway) levelcrossings with a telephoneThe person responsible: signaller


These crossings have user-worked gates or barriers.

A telephone is provided for the crossing user to telephone thesignaller before animals or vehicles are taken over the crossing.

11.2 Signaller receiving a telephone call

When you receive a telephone call from the crossing, you mustfind out:

• what is required to pass over the crossing

• how long it will take.

If there is enough time for the crossing to be used before the nexttrain passes over it, you must tell the user to use the crossingimmediately.

If there is not enough time, you must tell the user to wait andtelephone again.

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Before you authorise the user to take animals or a large, low orslow-moving vehicle over the crossing, you must:



• make sure that any approaching train has passed clear of thecrossing

• make sure that the protecting signals are placed or kept atdanger

• tell the user to report to you when the movement has passedclear of the crossing.


After you have authorised the movement, you must not resumenormal working until the user has reported that the movement haspassed clear of the crossing.

c) If the crossing user does not report back

If the crossing user fails to report back that the movement hascleared the crossing, you must make sure that the driver of thenext train is instructed to:




If necessary, you must make sure that the drivers of subsequenttrains are similarly instructed until you receive confirmation thatthe crossing is clear.

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d) Protecting signal controlled by another signaller

Where another signaller controls a protecting signal, you musttell this person about the circumstances.

You must instruct the other signaller to carry out therequirements of sections 11.3 a), 11.3 b) and 11.3 c):

• whenever this signal must be kept at danger, or

• when the driver is required to be cautioned.


You must record the following details of each telephone call fromthe crossing:


• the time and reason for the request

• how long the caller says the movement will take

• the time you give permission for the movement to take place

• the time the movement is reported clear of the crossing.

You must record the time you caution the next train if the crossinguser does not report when a movement involving animals or large,low or slow-moving vehicles is clear of the crossing.

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If a telephone at a crossing fails, you must instruct the driver ofeach train:

• to approach the crossing at caution

• not to pass over the crossing until the driver has made sure it issafe to do so.

You must continue with these arrangements until the failure is putright.

However, you do not need to caution drivers if:

• there is another way of communicating that allows the crossingto be used safely

• the crossing is temporarily secured and locked out of use.

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Barrow or foot crossings withwhite light indicatorsThe people responsible: signaller, driver


Some barrow or foot crossings have white light indicators.

When lit, the white lights indicate to the user that it is safe to cross.


Before you authorise a wrong-direction movement, you mustremind the driver about the presence of the crossing.

You must then instruct the driver to:



You do not need to carry out this instruction if the crossing haswrong-direction controls.

If you are instructed by the signaller, you must:



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12.3 Movements of small-wheeled trolleys

a) Giving permission for the movement

Because its wheels might become trapped, the crossing user isrequired to contact you before taking a small-wheeled trolley overa barrow crossing, even if there are warning lights at the crossing.

When a user asks your permission to take a small-wheeled trolleyover a barrow crossing, you must:

• treat the trolley as a slow-moving vehicle

• carry out the instructions in section 11.3 a).

b) User failing to report the line is clear

If the user fails to report when the movement is clear of the line,you must try to contact the user to get this assurance.

If you cannot do this, you must caution trains as shown insection 11.3 c).

c) Recording the movement

You must record the following details of each request to use thecrossing, whether by telephone or other means, in the TrainRegister:


• the time and reason for the request

• how long the user says the movement will take

• the time you give permission for the movement to take place

• the time the movement is reported clear of the crossing.

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Police officer controlling roadtraffic at a level crossingThe person responsible: signaller

13.1 Authority of a police officer

During a failure of equipment, before an attendant or signallingtechnician arrives, only a police officer can allow road users to usethe crossing.

13.2 Reporting to the supervising signaller

If the level crossing has a telephone for the public to use, thepolice officer will report to you on arriving at the crossing.

If the crossing has no telephone for the public to use, the policeofficer is required to contact you by other means.

When the police officer contacts you from the crossing, you musttell the officer about the arrangements for passing trains over thecrossing during the period of the failure.

Exception

If there is no telephone at an AOCL, the police officer is notrequired to contact you from the crossing.

In this case the police officer will make sure that no train isapproaching before allowing road users to use the crossing.

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13.3 Signaller protecting the crossing

Before you tell the police officer that it is safe to allow road usersto use the crossing, you must make sure that:

• the protecting signals are placed to, or kept at, danger

• any approaching train has passed clear of the crossing.

You must then not allow a train to approach the crossing, evenunder caution, until you get confirmation from the police officerthat the passage of road traffic is halted.

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Glossary of terms and abbreviations

The term Includes or means:

Absolute block A signalling system that allows only one train to be in a block section at the same time. Theblock indicator is used to indicate whether theline between adjacent signal boxes is clear oroccupied.

Aspect The indication of a colour light signal that the driver sees.

Automatic level Any of the following level crossings:crossing • Automatic half-barrier (AHBC)

• Automatic barrier crossing, locally monitored (ABCL)

• Automatic open crossing, locally monitored(AOCL)

• Crossing with red and green warning lights(R/G).

Barrow crossing A crossing (often at the end of a platform) for railway personnel to use. Some barrow crossings have white-light indicators which,when lit, indicate to the user that it is safe to cross.

Bi-directional A line on which the signalling allows trains toline run in both directions.

Engineering Includes an on-track machine.train

Level crossing Any manned, automatic or open crossing shown in Table A of the Sectional Appendix.

Lever Includes a switch, button or workstation control.

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Glossary of terms and abbreviations

The term Includes or means:

Operations The general term used for Network Rail Control Operations Control offices.

Open level An unmanned level crossing that has nocrossing barriers, gates or road traffic signals. It has a

‘Give Way’ sign on each road approach.

Reminder A device or control used to remind theappliance signaller that a particular lever, button or

switch must not be operated at all, or used only under certain conditions.

Single line One line is available for movements in both directions.

Track circuit A method of signalling trains in a section ofblock line using track circuits or other means of

automatic train absence detection and without using block instruments.

Train Light locomotive, self-propelled rail vehicle or road-rail vehicle in rail mode.

Traincrew Driver and guard.

Train Register The record that signallers keep of:• train times• other information required by the rules and

train signalling regulations to be recorded.It includes an occurrence book or other authorised method.

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