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Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains

You are here: Home > Forum > Simulations > Released > North Wales Coast > Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains

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Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains 07/07/2014 at 21:20 #62548
Danny252
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I'm somewhat surprised that BR6 (Down Main Home) has its overlap/clearing point indicated as ending before the points - as far as I can tell, there's not much more than a few yards between BR6 and the points themselves! Is there really such a short clearing point for down trains, or does it extend further to the bracket with signals 4/7?
Last edited: 07/07/2014 at 21:21 by Danny252
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Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains 07/07/2014 at 23:14 #62552
Stephen Fulcher
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This one rather surprised me when we were going through the signalling plans and control tables when Karl refreshed this part of the simulation.

Despite seeming to break the rules of absolute block, namely requiring a 200 yard overlap (not 440yds as the signals are colour light), this is correct.

Last edited: 07/07/2014 at 23:14 by Stephen Fulcher
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Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains 07/07/2014 at 23:37 #62554
Danny252
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How very odd... It's not even as if it's a low speed line - the mains are rated for 75mph running!
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Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains 07/07/2014 at 23:55 #62555
Stephen Fulcher
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Doubled by the fact that the sighting of BR6 signal is not going to be great because of its proximity to the tunnel.

I wonder what the box instructions say if anyone has them. This won't change how the sim should work though if they are more restrictive than the interlocking.

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Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains 08/07/2014 at 01:08 #62556
pedroathome
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Is it possible that the points have been relocated at some stage, and not had the interlocking modified as to also lock the points?

James

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Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains 08/07/2014 at 08:04 #62558
Late Turn
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I'd be surprised if the control tables etc. reflected the position of the clearing point - I don't think I've ever worked, or otherwise come across, a box where it's enforced by the interlocking - indeed, it'd be a fairly complex exercise! Even where there are connections within the clearing point, there's usually nothing more than the signalman's observance of the box instructions to prevent it being fouled with a train accepted.
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Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains 08/07/2014 at 10:12 #62564
Danny252
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" said:
Is it possible that the points have been relocated at some stage, and not had the interlocking modified as to also lock the points?

James
Bangor is a very restricted layout and there's nowhere else to put the points! Older plans show that they have been at their current location for at least a century, and I'd say it's probably since the station was built.

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I'd be surprised if the control tables etc. reflected the position of the clearing point - I don't think I've ever worked, or otherwise come across, a box where it's enforced by the interlocking
Ditto - I've never seen a Line Clear interlocked with the position of points. It would be overly restrictive in some cases, as Reg 5 acceptances or Shunts into Forward Section do not require a clearing point, and there is no way for the interlocking to tell these apart.

A similar case at Holywell Jcn, where the clearing point cannot be set for the loop, is enforced in Simsig - unless this is the exception that proves the statement above, that must be due to the box instructions only?

Last edited: 08/07/2014 at 10:14 by Danny252
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Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains 08/07/2014 at 10:40 #62565
Stephen Fulcher
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The track circuits within the clearing point will often place and maintain the block to train on line. That is certainly how all the ones down here work. If this is the case then it will show in the control tables. If it is "enforced" by the signalman following the box instructions then it wouldn't.
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Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains 08/07/2014 at 10:55 #62566
Late Turn
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It's certainly not the case in any of our boxes, nor is it a requirement to block back inside for a movement fouling the clearing point but not stopping in it (and it'd be surely undesirable for the block to keep placing itself to TOL at locations where such movements are made regularly!). Even if other boxes in the area do have controls to force the block to TOL when TCs within the clearing point are occupied, the complexity of the arrangements that would be required at Bangor (with, I suspect, a choice of two clearing points, where a train could legitimately be accepted with one clearing point fouled but not the other) means that I could well believe that it wouldn't be justified here. I think the box instructions will give you the only definitive answer here!
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Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains 08/07/2014 at 11:21 #62567
Stephen Fulcher
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There aren't any points in the clearing points down here which may make a difference.
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Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains 08/07/2014 at 13:35 #62576
welshdragon
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This might be one for Alan Roberts to answer, if he still frequents the signalbox.org forums, he is/was Relief signaller for the boxes along the Coast.
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Bangor Clearing Point for Down Trains 14/07/2014 at 19:19 #62756
Danny252
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After discussions today, I can confirm that the clearing point is the down platform starters, but it would be quite complicated to implement this in conjunction with the tail lamp telephones and block instruments. Of course, it's actually rather more prototypical to rely on the signalman (player) to work the clearing point correctly!
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