Can someone explain to me all the safety systems on the uk locomotives plz and thank you I kinda forgot them thank you and have a nice day
AWS, Automatic Warning System: AWS magnets are generally fitted on the approach to all signals approximately 200 yards away. If it’s a green signal, the AWS will give a “ping” sound and you don’t need to do anything. But if it is a yellow, double yellow or red, the AWS will give a warning sound and you must acknowledge this by pressing the AWS reset button which is generally a big yellow button on modern trains. It also provides a visual indication in the cab by means of a ‘sunflower indicator.’ It is either all black or black and yellow like a sunflower. The visual indication will turn into a sunflower after you acknowledge an AWS warning. Note that the audible or visual indication is the same regardless if the signal you’re approaching is double yellow, yellow or red so it doesn’t differentiate between them. You’ll also get an AWS warning on the approaching to large reductions in speed. You’ll notice Morpeth boards which is an up side triangle with a yellow outline and a speed in the middle. This is a warning for an upcoming permanent speed restriction where the drop in speed is greater than one third and where current linespeed is over 50mph. For example, linespeed is currently 100mph and it drops down to 60mph. Again, the warning sound and visual indication is the same as an adverse signal. When you hear the AWS warning, you have approx 2.5-3 seconds to press and release the AWS reset button. Failure to do so will result in an emergency brake application. TPWS, Train Protection Warning System These are fitted at and approach to signals- note, not all signals but generally all the high risk signals. The purpose is not to necessarily stop SPADs but to reduce the danger of a SPAD by ensuring the train stops before the conflict point (e.g. junction). You’ll notice they are always 2 of them because they act in pairs, these are Arming and Trigger loops. The Arming loop starts the countdown and if you arrive at the Trigger loop before the countdown is finished (because you’re going too fast), you’ll get a brake demand. On bidirectional lines or wrong direction moves, you won’t get a brake application if there’s a red signal in the opposite direction. This is because you go over the Trigger loop first. Generally, there are set of grids placed 300 yards away from a stop signal and these are known as Overspeed Sensor (OSS) grids. It will only be active if the signal is at danger. There will be a trigger speed but only Network Rail know what it is. You would have to be doing a silly speed to get a brake demand so I wouldn’t worry about it too much. There will be another set of grids at the signal itself which are known as Train Stop System (TSS). These are pretty much the same as OSS apart from the fact that the trigger speed is set at 0mph if the signal is at danger. OSS grids can also be found on the approach to big speed reductions. If you do get a brake demand, you’ll get a flashing red brake demand light on the TPWS panel. Acknowledge this by pressing the AWS reset button and the red light will turn steady. Wait 60 seconds and the light should go out and you’ll regain control of brakes. DSD, Driver safety device This is a pedal (actually more like a plate) on the floor which you must keep depressed at all times when you’re in forward/reverse. It incorporates a vigilance device so approximately every 60 seconds, you’ll hear the DSD alarm go off (beep, beep, beep, beep...), and you need to lift your foot off and put it back on again. If you fail to do this within a few seconds, you’ll get an emergency brake application. If you still fail, to react within 30 seconds, the GSMR radio will automatically send a message to the signaller and the signaller can actually make an announcement over the train (so passengers and other staff can hear) remotely via the GSMR radio. In the game, cancelling the AWS and DSD is done by the same button at least on console. This is a brief and simplified overview but I hope it’s clear.
