Manual Authorisations and TCO

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.

Code Blue in terms of Metrorail

Attention all

Metro'matters.
Procedure following a passenger related incident

I explain.


For example...Somebody is knocked by a train (or falls out)

Either the driver or guard notices it.

Immediately the emergency brakes are applied

Driver makes contact with operations to inform them that he/she applied emergency brakes because he/she suspects that an incident occurred.

Once the driver or guard physically confirms that an incident occurred, they call and report it to operations.

Operations begin to start with cancellations and rerouting plans.
Metrorail 'prasa sends out an SMS informing commuters about the incident and that there will be 60+ mins.

If the person is code blue 🔵 (Deceased)...

Paramedics and forensic services are notified of the incident and are en route, in the meantime commuters are stuck.

Delays started to build up behind this train and trains get code red 🔴 signal

As time goes by, commuters are getting more and more frustrated etc.

The scene immediately becomes a crime scene, therefore requires an investigation, this also contributes to delays

Already one hour pass

Trains standing and operations busy with plans on how to get the others on the go.

Investigation is done and paramedics confirmed that the person is code blue.

Now the most frustrating part is when we have to wait for Forensic pathology services to take the body away.

Unfortunately we are not allowed to touch the body and just move it away from the tracks etc

Eventually forensic pathology services arrives on the scene and takes the body of the deceased away.

TFR need to confirm if the line is safe for movement.

Already +- 3hours

Also metro/prasa management managers also need to confirm if the scene is clear and safe for movement.

If they confirm that its clear.
TFR can open the lines for movement
(Still delays will take place)

As commuters we are upset and cannot do anything...But please do not take your frustrations out on our drivers and guards because the situation is out of their control

Sometimes it's so difficult for drivers when having an incident like this, they are so traumatized, they need to go for counseling and most times are placed on leave.

Now the line is opened

Metrorail can operate train service on the line.

Please note
Its not every time that it takes this long.

Also the delays can be even longer because we have to wait for another driver etc.

Hope you all understand better regarding these incidents.

Please take the families of the deceased in consideration also.

Kind regards.
Charleston

Codes in Metrorail Announcements

Attention all

Railway codes and what do they mean.

Code orange 🔸-  indicate less severe problems (Sometimes we see when its code orange, a train can move with a minimum low speed)


Code red blue 🔵 - Deceased (when a person pass on Immediately on the scene I'm times of passenger related incidents) or rush to the specific location and begin immediate resuscitation.

Code Green 🎾 - Less problems (line open and train can move normal)

Code red 🔴 - Need to stop and must wait for authorities to give confirmation to proceed.
Code red also indicate - Danger ( If a train pass a red signal there's possibilities of derailments, head on head collisions, train failings etc)

Code red 🔴  are the most dangerous signal to ignore, that's why drivers obey the rules and stop when signal are red.

Regards.
Charleston'


NB:  And in terms of red signals, if the driver fails to stop at one it’s an automatic 3 month suspension and disciplinary hearing. So when you see them stop just before a station they’re not doing it for fun their job is on the line.

Jumping Trains and Crossing Tracks

I am writing this following the tragic accident that left the parents of a 16 year old boy grieving for the loss of their son, and his friends traumatized.

Just before Salt River on Friday, the train the boys were travelling on stopped and stood between stations for a while. The boys in their infinite wisdom decided to jump off the train.

As a general rule of thumb, the answer to do I jump off a train that is stationary, is always NO! Unless clearly told to be the crew of the train while they may be delayed, they may stand, you may be late for work or school, be assured that the train will move again.

If the train is stationary and you feel the need to jump off, please please please think twice, and a third time before doing so. There are multiple dangers of jumping from a stationary train.

Firstly, the train may start moving at any time, especially as generally trains stand for operational reasons not mechanical fault.

Secondly, you need to make triple sure about what is or isn't where you are going to be jumping. Firstly check the area that you are going to be jumping onto. How far is it? What is the surface you are jumping onto? But most importantly, check what is happening up and down the line. If there is a train in sight rather wait. Remember that trains even traveling at low speed take a distance to stop.

In the incident on Friday, the young man apparently jumped off the train with his friends, unfortunately his timing wasn't so good and he jumped into the path of a train. This follows a similar incident a few weeks ago with a 10 year old boy out Brackenfell way.

Please, please, please parents if you children travel by train remind them, enforce in them, that they need to treat the metal bullet that they ride on with a vast amount of respect.

As a side note to that crossing of tracks is another issue that causes many problems. I joke that unless you have metal wheels really you shouldn't be on the track. While that would be an ideal world, the reality is that people do often needs to cross tracks.

If you are going to cross the tracks then you need to treat it the way you would a road. You cannot just walk out without checking what is happening. Please stop safely before the tracks, look both ways (even more so if it is a single line stretch of track), listen to hear the train, and then actually repeat the above before crossing the track if it is safe to do so. Crossing as quickly as possible to ensure your safety.  If you see a train coming towards you, then please use some common sense and wait for it to pass before crossing the tracks.

Remember that if something where to happen to you, not only your family and friends, but also the driver and guard and all those involved in your rescue would be traumatized for life. PLEASE THINK AND BE SAFE!