West Somerset Railway General Discussion

The disadvantage of full barriers is that a car or pedestrians ‘caught’ behind the barriers cannot escape, unlike half-barriers where there is always an escape route available. So the Crossing has to be monitored by an adjacent operator or CCTV to ensure it remains clear until the barriers are fully down.

The crossing is too far from the existing box for this to be done by the signalman from the existing box by ordinary sight. I note the absence of CCTV from the Somerset CC paperwork (but perhaps it is there hidden in the price).

My other concern would be the suggestion that the ‘road closed’ time would be 4-5 minutes. I don’t think that is achievable. Crossings adjacent to terminal stations pose particular operational challenges.

Robin

 

I've been told by one of HMRI that the cost difference between a bridge and a full barrier level crossing isn't that great if the circumstances are right but I've no idea what the reality is.

 

Perhaps they are hoping to rely on Obstacle Detection technology. From what I can recall planning engineering access for recontrol and changing LC types, MCB-OD crossings still need CCTV so the signaller can see what the obstruction is!

Looking at images of the area around the LC, any bridge would need deep foundations as the area looks like drained salt marsh.

Cheers, Neil

 

Oddingley Crossing near here was recently changed from gates (which were kept closed across the road and you rang a bell for a man to come and open them) to full barriers. I was told by one of the employees formerly there that they employ a radar system to monitor the crossing to ensure that it is clear. However, the radar is low level in case someone collapses on the crossing and it gives false positives by "seeing" lumps of mud dropped by tractors and horse droppings.

 

1 minute 15 seconds

 

Out of curiosity, what procedures (operational, signalling ...) are used for operating the level crossing at Rolvenden on the KESR - traditional gates across an A road. As I understand, the gates were renewed within the last year.

Tom

 

If the crossing detail is covered in the (1970’s) Light Railway Order then it is an instrument of law. This is the traditional equivalent of a modern crossing order. I haven’t seen the LRO myself but if it refers to “gates” (quite possible) then I’m not sure that the operator can be compelled to “upgrade” the crossing to modern standards.

Regards

Matt

 

Passenger numbers disappointing as first train of the re-instated Taunton service leaves Minehead.

 

Tickets, please!

 

I'm not sure how pedestrians would make any difference to the control an automatic crossing. It would be open for vehicles and pedestrians unless there was a train approaching so why would pedestrians need any form of control?

I think what they are trying to say is more like 'Letting pedestrians use level crossings is really, really dangerous...' A quick look at the YouTube video on Pg 534 shows how people can hop over or squeeze through the barriers. There have also been cases where buggy wheels have got caught in the flange gap, tipping the thing over and leaving the parent in a panic in case the barriers came down whilst they were sorting out the baby, the shopping (in the under tray, never hanging off the handles of course ) and often another 'little 'un' who should be holding hands...

 

Computer glitch affects new QB breakfast seating reservation system.

 

Ee, tha's gerrin Northern!

Bet it took you a while to work out what it means.

 

They should have been removed as part of the trunk road scheme that made them redundant, so no.

 

ISTR exactly the same view being expressed 25 years ago.

 

I thought it suited. But not something I've picked up in Sheffield I can assure you! Can't think where, probably off the telly, I bet it was Open all hours or Porridge!

 

I think the point is that pedestrians are far more likely to cross the line when they don't have to climb over a barrier. For many people it would be a physical impossibility. It is not whether the crossing is automatic that is pertinent here, but whether the barriers are full or half. Half barriers are the ones that are unsuitable for high pedestrian use and the alternative, full barriers, are unsuitable for automatic operation, due to the likelihood of vehicles and pedestrians being trapped, as can be seen in the video above.

 

Why should they be removed? What's the problem with them?

Mild steel lighting columns have a life of around 35/40 years - longer or shorter depending upon how much salt is flung at them. It may well be that someone has taken the sensible and cost effective decision to leave them in place until they require renewal.

I oversaw the procurement of electricity for street lighting for a county council for 15 years. Out of peak hours, it is astonishingly cheap as it is mainly nuclear or hydro and is being produced anyway.

 

Ah, but in Somerset, the £850K was never going to be coming out of the WSR's finances, so there is no saving to be grateful for.

 

You had me at "Ah, but in Somerset"...

 

AIUI SCC regard it as life expired and hence they are replacing it. Knowing how short of money they are I can’t see them doing it unless it has become essential.