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.