warning! idiots at work

Nice thought, but there would need to be a lot of proving work put into checking that the glass panel wouldn't give false aspects by reflection - 'ghosting' or 'phantom' aspects.

I suspect [1] that this sort of modification might require the dread words 'type approval'.

[1] this is only supposition.

Why not actually *use* reflection ?

I suggest relocating the working signal itself - and use reflected light as the indication.

Where the signal is now, place a ''dumb'' signal head made up of multi prisms of coloured glass (sort of like red reflector lights on cars). No moving parts, no electrical bits, just a post with 4 coloured prism clusters [1].

At track side at a safe [for T/O etc] working location have the actual signal that beams laser light at the prisms, all angled in such a way that correct sighting is obtained, and ensuring the beam can't be obstructed, and ensuring the prisms can't reflect other light sources (this ain't rocket science).

Errr yesss ... type approval might also arise.

I'll put this in as a staff suggestion


[1] as an afterthought, just two prism clusters on a post and change the laser light beam colour for the various aspects R GY GG.


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Nick

I am surprised how quickly the 'remedial' work to remove the wire cage in front of the aspects has been completed (although as shown in DStock's picture the bars still slightly obstruct the danger aspect). I think the prompt-ness of carrying this out echoes how ridiculous it is, that it was allowed to have happened at all in the first place (giving any kind of remedial / alteration work on LUL usually goes to minor works and takes about 10 years to happen).

Well yes - but I was assuming (dangerous assumption) that surely they'd already covered that option and for some reason rejected it.


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Nick

I had suggested a full cage with an aperture at the front large enough to allow proper sighting of the signal from the drivers cab.
However, seeing the "driver's eye view from the cab" I would now suggest an alternative. Remove the existing cage and platform completely and mount a new L shaped platform and cage to the left and rear of the signal head, i.e. predominantly on the street side of the parapet, such that the signal is neither obscured from the front nor the side (pigs ears) but allowing a lineman to relamp in safety and still to be able to reach all around for maintenance from the lhs of the signal.

Electrical or physical? ;D ;D ;D

Physical ;D

I can assure you that BEFORE anything was posted here a strong complaint was made, a site visit (by DMT) arranged and then a call was put out for the ERU to attend an 'urgent' job.

i would like to have known why the ERU was called for what could they do??

Am I being hopelessly optimistic in this day and age to suggest that the solution may to ask S&T engineers not to stand back to admire their work......

<rolls eyes> unnecessary point really, of course I asked him to go but I'd have been rather surprised if he'd refused without a good reason.

As you should know, they are the sort of people who, when tasked, tend to arrive at a location and do more or less whatever is required of them without too much question. There is no messing around taking huge possessions, shutting the railway down and such like. They are manly(*) enough to afford themselves sufficient protection, and in cases like this, they are the people who, if tasked with "ripping the bloody thing down" will normally happily oblige as far as possible.

*I use this word in the "old" sense, and I am not suggesting for a minute that they are all men, or that men can do the job better than women blah blah blah.

+2

ERU get things done.

I've only neen involved directly with getting them out once, and one other time seen them in action.

''Calling international Rescue'' is not so far from it.


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Nick

Now imagine what your comments might've been had the original installation looked as it does now. In my opinion there is still room for complaint. For instance cut outs in the mesh to allow the pig's ears to be properly viewed although moving the front right post back to just behind the pig's ears would be more of a proper job!