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Looe Branch token working

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Looe Branch token working 18/11/2012 at 02:59 #37611
Underwood
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748 posts
Hello all,

I've read up some info on the token working, most originated on Wiki which was confusing, as it said Coombe Junction GF no.1 is used, but then later said it does now it not see frequent use and is mainly locked...?

I'm doing a video (Railworks TS1012 sim on the Looe Modern Branch) on the area and will include how it works, but narration can't be long winded! I have been on the branch once but it was in Wessex Trains days before FGW was even thought of taking over the area.

How does the operation work nowadays? My impression is:

1. Token is collected from Liskeard when the ECS arrives for the first train of the day. I assume the token includes the freight link from the mainline?

2. Train proceeds to Coombe Junction, guard alights and drops token in machine and collects Coombe to Looe staff, which operates the points to Looe.

3. On return the above is vice versa.

However can both tokens be possession instead, which makes me wonder in the wiki document mentioning the GF at Coombe Junction has infrequently use.

How does freight trains to Moorswater work from Liskeard, can a train proceed whilst the DMU is on its way to Looe from Coombe?
But then there is nothing stopping the freight train going down the gradient from Liskeard and 'pushing' the points that are facing in the Looe direction?

There is also a stop board facing from the Looe direction at Coombe Junction. Do trains from Looe actually stop here since, in theory as the train has already gone to Looe, it should be facing in the right direction?


Any help would be appreciated :)


James.

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Looe Branch token working 18/11/2012 at 09:19 #37613
Stephen Fulcher
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2078 posts
There is now TPWS on the stop boards at Liskeard Station and Coombe Junction so the single line token between the two has to be replaced and withdrawn again for every movement. There is a machine on the platform at Liskeard to enable this to happen without having to return the token to Liskeard Signal Box.

The Coombe Junction to Looe staff is kept in Liskeard Signal Box and is retained by the train crew all day.

The Liskeard to Coombe Junction token releases both Coombe No1 and Coombe No2 Ground Frames. The No1 frame controls the points to Looe that the passenger trains use and gets used for every passenger train. The No2 frame controls the trap points coming out of Moorswater Yard, which only gets used occasionally for freight traffic.

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Looe Branch token working 18/11/2012 at 10:02 #37617
Late Turn
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699 posts
To add to Stephen's post, if my understanding of the method of working is correct:


" said:
How does freight trains to Moorswater work from Liskeard, can a train proceed whilst the DMU is on its way to Looe from Coombe?

Yes, if the Liskeard - Coombe Jn token has been restored to the instrument at Coombe Jn No 1 GF (after the points have been restored to normal behind the passenger). I don't know how the new TPWS has changed things, but previously, if there was no requirement to allow a freight to use the single line, the points at No 1 GF would be left reverse while the unit ran to Looe and back, and the Driver wouldn't restore the token to the instrument.

Quote:
But then there is nothing stopping the freight train going down the gradient from Liskeard and 'pushing' the points that are facing in the Looe direction?

There is also a stop board facing from the Looe direction at Coombe Junction. Do trains from Looe actually stop here since, in theory as the train has already gone to Looe, it should be facing in the right direction?

As above - if a freight is to use the Liskeard - Coombe Jn section whilst the passenger's in the Looe section, the points at No 1 GF would have been returned to normal (hence the need for a stop board for the passenger train, as the Driver would need to obtain the Liskeard - Coombe Jn token and operate the ground frame again).

Last edited: 18/11/2012 at 10:04 by Late Turn
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Looe Branch token working 18/11/2012 at 12:16 #37634
Stephen Fulcher
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2078 posts
The TPWS is suppressed using the same set of contacts within the ETT instrument that are normally used for section signal release.

Therefore every time it is necessary to suppress the Stop Board TPWS for the passage of a train, the token has to go through the correct instrument. Additionally, if the train has not passed within a certain time (cannot remember what it is), then the system will have "timed-out" and the TPWS will again be active, so the token would have to go through the instrument again.

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Looe Branch token working 18/11/2012 at 12:20 #37635
Jan
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906 posts
The method of operation is also described in the Western Sectional Appendix available from Network Rail (PDF page 801, beware: 28 MB document!).
Two million people attempt to use Birmingham's magnificent rail network every year, with just over a million of them managing to get further than Smethwick.
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Looe Branch token working 18/11/2012 at 13:39 #37649
Zoe
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252 posts
" said:
I don't know how the new TPWS has changed things, but previously, if there was no requirement to allow a freight to use the single line, the points at No 1 GF would be left reverse while the unit ran to Looe and back, and the Driver wouldn't restore the token to the instrument.

There is a thread about this over on the singalbox forum at http://www.signalbox.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3421&p=40503&hilit=Looe#p40503 where it was stated that the token was always given up at Coombe Junction even before the new token instrument was installed at Liskeard.
Quote:

It was at the Liskeard end but is given up for each trip at Coombe Jcn. Since the new intermediate instrument was installed it is also given up at Liskeard after each trip.

Last edited: 18/11/2012 at 13:40 by Zoe
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