Signalling and AWS/TPWS irregularities

Stop the train as soon as it is possible to do so safely and tell the signaller.

No signal is shown when there should be one.

The aspect of a colour light signal is not clear or obvious.

There is no light at all.

A white light is showing instead of a red, yellow or green.

One light is showing at a position-light signal or subsidiary signal when there should be two.

As if it is at danger.

Not unless authority is published or you are instructed to do so by the signaller or another person acting on the signaller’s instructions.

However, you may proceed with a passenger train on the authority of a position-light signal associated with a main aspect or stop signal if you are entering a permissive platform line.

You must tell the signaller immediately, stopping the train specially if necessary, if you become aware of a signalling failure or irregularity on any line. 

These may include:

• the failure in the working of a signal

• an irregularity in the working of a signal

• an irregular aspect sequence

• no signal shown when there should be one

• the aspect of a colour light signal not being distinct or obvious

• a white light showing instead of a red, yellow or green

• a signal or associated indicator difficult to see because of sunlight, streetlights or reflections

• a signal difficult to see because of trees, foliage or other obstructions.

If you see any failures or irregularities affecting a position-light signal which applies to another line you must tell the signaller at the first opportunity without causing delay.

You must tell the signaller immediately if any of the following is missing, difficult to see, or unlit when it should be lit:

• A limit of shunt signal or indicator.

• A stop board.

• Any other lineside board or sign.

You must tell the signaller at the first convenient opportunity. You do not need to stop the train specially to do this.

When a signal, AWS or TPWS failure or irregularity is reported, you and the signaller must both complete form RT3185 with all the required details.

You do not need to immediately complete form RT3185 if the signaller confirms that the fault or irregularity is clearly a right-side failure. It must be completed at the first convenient opportunity.

You must immediately tell the signaller, stopping the train specially if necessary, if:

• you receive an AWS clear indication when a warning indication should have been received (fault code 5)

• you do not receive any AWS indication when a warning indication should have been received (fault code 7).

Other AWS faults where the failure is to give a clear indication must be reported to the signaller at the first convenient opportunity.

If a brake application is initiated as a result of the operation of TPWS, you must:

• acknowledge the TPWS brake demand

• make sure the train comes to a stand

• tell the signaller what has happened

• carry out the instructions you are given by the signaller

• not make any further movement of the train until instructed.

If you and the signaller are sure that TPWS on track equipment did not cause the brake application, the train can proceed normally.

If a brake application is initiated as a result of the operation of TPWS when approaching buffer stops, you must:

• acknowledge the TPWS brake demand

• after the train has come to a stand, move forward to the normal stopping point if it is safe to do so

• tell the signaller what has happened

• carry out the instructions you are given by the signaller.