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| CCTV Level Crossings 05/05/2013 at 23:26 #44349 | |
AndyB
4 posts |
I noticed this evening that the MCB LCs seem to close to traffic immediately you set a route across them, noticeably Ely and the two on screen 1. I thought that whether a crossing keeper was in attendance or the signalman was operating them via CCTV, they were not supposed to be initiated until a train occupied a track circuit just close enough to keep a Class 1 running under green signals? Log in to reply |
| CCTV Level Crossings 06/05/2013 at 10:42 #44367 | |
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Late Turn
699 posts |
That's what auto-lower does, where provided. Generally (but not always?), in the absence of auto-lower (or where it's turned off), the sequence won't start until the 'lower' button is pressed even if a route is set across the crossing. Tom Log in to reply |
| CCTV Level Crossings 06/05/2013 at 10:56 #44369 | |
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Colourlight
117 posts |
I largely agree with you Andb although Ely Station North CCTV crossing is rather unique. First an explanation of Terms. a MCB Crossing and a CCTV crossing are considered to be two different types of crossing and different rules apply. The chief difference is simply that with a MCB Crossing the signaller can visually observe the crossing whereas with a CCTV crossing the signaller can only observe the crossing via a CCTV Screen and fixed cameras. This CCTV Crossing in question is operated from Cambridge PSB by the Ely Panel Signaller. It is located immediately adjacent to the North end of Ely Station on the busy A142 Ely-Newmaket Road. It is also an important link with the A14 which is the Main East-West route to and from the Container Port of Felixestowe and therefore this crossing is used by a great deal of HGV,s. There is an underpass but the railway bridge is extremely low and can only be used by cars and vans up to transit size (without roof racks). I have stood on Ely Station a number of times and I could see the problems the signaller faced when lowering the barriers. Firstly, as I already mentioned, there is the high number of HGV,s that use the crossing. The 2nd problem is that in order to use the crossing road vehicles have to divert from the A142 about 100 yards on one side of the crossing and rejoin it 100 yards on the other side. Because of this road traffic passes over the crossing at very low speeds and often there is a tailback over the crossing of traffic trying to rejoin the A142. Another factor that makes life even more complicated for the poor old signaller is that it is not just a two track crossing. There is a goods line a short distance from the main line which makes the crossing wider than usual. Often the traffic waiting at the crossing tails back onto the A142 creating gridlock. So when the barriers are down for a train and there is another one due two or three minutes after it the signallers tend to keep the barriers down because of the difficulties involved in lowering them such a short time after the first train has passed which actually makes the problem even worse. And of course there are a high number of passenger, container and other freight trains between Ely Station and Ely North Jn to add to the fun! Log in to reply The following user said thank you: BarryM |
| CCTV Level Crossings 06/05/2013 at 11:02 #44370 | |
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Danny252
1461 posts |
" said:I noticed this evening that the MCB LCs seem to close to traffic immediately you set a route across them, noticeably Ely and the two on screen 1.Well then, Signalman and Crossing Keeper AndyB might need a bit of retraining for calling routes that need then to be lowered so early 
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