I know we all hate standing in the middle of “nowhere” on a
train with no idea of what is happening and for what seems like no obvious
reason no information forthcoming. For instance, on the Southern line of late trains
have been standing for anything up to 30 minutes and one can only assume this
is because of issues with the drivers being able to contact TCO and obtaining
authorization.
The reason may not always be obvious, but the cause is
pretty much always as the result of a red signal. While most people think that
it would be obvious that if the driver can see that the line ahead of them is
clear, that they would then be able to continue their journey. That
unfortunately is sadly not the how the system works for trains. It is illegal
for a train driver to proceed through a red signal without obtaining
authorization.
When a driver meets a red signal there is a complex process
that must be followed. First and foremost, the driver needs to contact TCO
(Train Control Officer, think the Fat Controller in Thomas). This should be a straightforward
process, but unfortunately often due to varying circumstances this can take a
while. When TCO are contacted by the driver, the driver needs to advise TCO who
they are, what train they are driving, their location, as well as which signal
they are in front of.
TCO then take this information and make the necessary checks
on the line to make sure that it is safe for the driver to proceed at least to
the next signal. If the line is clear, then the driver will then be authorized to
proceed.
However, before the driver can move, TCO will give verbal
authority to the driver and this authority must be repeated back to TCO exactly
the way TCO stated it. If there is even one error in what is repeated back to
TCO by the driver then the driver has to start again. This is to ensure that the
driver and TCO are both clear about authority being given.
Only after this process is completed to the satisfaction of
TCO is the driver allowed to proceed.
On the southern line the booms at Kenilworth are broken and
need to be replaced, which is going to realistically take some time. As a
result of the defective booms there are currently flag men stationed at the
booms. A lot of people on the Whats App groups have been commenting on the fact
that the flag men are clearly not doing their jobs correctly as they do not
automatically stop the cars when a train is approaching the station.
While in an ideal world it would be amazing if this was the
case, unfortunately it is far from reality. While yes, the flag men are there
to stop the traffic, they are only there to stop the traffic once the driver has
received authority to proceed. Again, it is illegal for drivers are not allowed
to proceed through without authority.
This leads us onto another issue often raised by commuters and
that is why do the trains stop just short of the platform either entering or
leaving a station. Again, while it may seem logical to us that the train stay
in the station if the next signal is red and the driver is aware that they are
unable to proceed, and as much as the driver would love to stay in a station,
it’s easier for us but it’s also easier for them, again it is something that
they are not allowed to do.
While they are not allowed to proceed through a red signal
without authority, they are likewise required to proceed at a green signal. If
the driver does not adhere to this process then they are liable for a hearing,
as well as suspension.
