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Post by superteacher on Sept 18, 2007 22:00:14 GMT
I have heard that at one time, there was an eyesight test for drivers where they had, when standing on the south end of Colindale platform, read the aspect of a signal located near the tunnell mouth going towards Hendon. Do they still have something like this today, or is there a more modern way of doing this? And what is the current standard for eyesight of tube drivers?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2007 22:22:27 GMT
Recalling my tests, they get you to read a signal plate at West Ken [which is where I did mine]from 20 metres distance...
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Post by superteacher on Sept 18, 2007 22:31:05 GMT
Recalling my tests, they get you to read a signal plate at West Ken [which is where I did mine]from 20 metres distance... OK - that means reading the name of the signal i.e. A632?
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Oracle
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Post by Oracle on Sept 18, 2007 22:43:39 GMT
Superteach are you referring to the old semaphore at Colindale tunnel mouth? It has long gone but it was rumoured to have been used as an "eyesight appeal" by drivers. It was until the mid-Seventies set in the upper-quadrant position I think and then my colleague in LURS who worked on signalling climbed up the mast and moved it down to the "danger" position. It was apparently all rusty as can be imagined!
For a car test you have to read a plate at 60 feet I think now but for a driving instructor it's around 100 feet?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2007 22:44:22 GMT
Yes, basically exactly that. because you may, or may not be in a group when undertaking the test, for obvious reasons, the signal plate will be changed between candidates...
Things might have changed since I did mine...
I think it is the same distance for driving a car...
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Oracle
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Post by Oracle on Sept 19, 2007 6:55:04 GMT
You can get a test done by good Opticians to see if you can pass muster with a car plate reading. They simulate the plate size and distance. I should imagine that t/ops have to have a medical exam to make sure that there are no retina problems, etc.
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Post by abe on Sept 19, 2007 7:18:12 GMT
Superteach are you referring to the old semaphore at Colindale tunnel mouth? It has long gone but it was rumoured to have been used as an "eyesight appeal" by drivers. It was until the mid-Seventies set in the upper-quadrant position I think and then my colleague in LURS who worked on signalling climbed up the mast and moved it down to the "danger" position. It was apparently all rusty as can be imagined! There's a photograph of this signal in Mike Horne's book The Last Link, which was published in connection with the CCE&HR centenary in June.
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Oracle
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Post by Oracle on Sept 19, 2007 8:52:47 GMT
Must buy a copy then.
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mrfs42
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Post by mrfs42 on Nov 2, 2007 1:28:57 GMT
Well worth it [1]; a few small proofing errors and some questionable numbering in the signalling diagrams. [2] None of which detract from an excellent book. [1] if you can find it - I had to resort to other means than the publisher after my enquiries were met with a stony silence. A shame really, because I'd like to pay the author direct. [2] rectifiable if you follow the house numbering style of WB (&SS)Co. (enough to work out a semaphore scheme for the north end of Golders from the spares too ;D )
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2007 1:33:07 GMT
Well worth it [1]; a few small proofing errors and some questionable numbering in the signalling diagrams. [2] None of which detract from an excellent book. [1] if you can find it - I had to resort to other means than the publisher after my enquiries were met with a stony silence. A shame really, because I'd like to pay the author direct. [2] rectifiable if you follow the house numbering style of WB (&SS)Co. (enough to work out a semaphore scheme for the north end of Golders from the spares too ;D )Try the museum shop. They still have it online and when I was last there they had a load of it. Hmmm was it a limited run?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2007 2:14:25 GMT
There was indeed a semaphore signal posted on this stretch of the Hampstead tube when opening - as drivers were not permitted to wear glasses (I'd be knackered then ) this signal was approx. 1/2 a mile away from the stop mark for it. In those days, there would just be green fields around it................
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Colin
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Post by Colin on Nov 2, 2007 11:31:15 GMT
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