GERT8000-TW1 Iss 20

You will need this module if you carry out the duties of a driver, guard, shunter, signaller, train preparer or competent person.

The title of section 10.3 has been changed to say that this applies at a station where no platform starting signal is provided, to clarify its intended meaning.

Section 14.4 in issue 19 required an assisting train making a wrong-direction movement towards a failed train to display headlights at both ends. This requirement has been deleted as it does not apply to other wrong-direction movements. The same requirements will apply as for any other wrong-direction movement.

A new instruction has been included at section 28.2, ‘When to report rail adhesion levels’ for the signaller to obtain more detail when ‘reportable’ conditions have been advised by the driver. The same section has been revised to include ‘a portion of line where drivers would be reducing the speed of the train’ as one where an additional control would apply.

Section 28.3 on ‘arranging a controlled test stop’ has been revised to include ‘a location where drivers would be reducing the speed of the train’ as one where a controlled test stop would not be allowed until the rail head has been treated.

The introduction of a new industry standard regarding the operation of route-proving trains (RIS-3771-TOM) also includes supplementary rules for drivers and signallers. A new section 30 has been added which gives drivers and signallers rules on what to agree before a route-proving train is operated, followed by instructions of what both parties should do during the route-proving run if the route is blocked, or staff need to alight the train. Subsequent sections have been renumbered.

Section 41 (previously section 40 in issue 19) has been amended to incorporate rules transferred from RS523 ‘GSM-R Handbook’. This includes the following new sections:

• 41.8 ‘Making an urgent call’
• 41.9 ‘Receiving an urgent call’
• 41.10 ‘Acknowledged safety broadcast call’
• 41.11 ‘DSD alarm call’.

The title of section 41.4, which was ‘40.4 Radio area boundaries’ in issue 19, has been changed to ‘GSM-R radio area boundaries’ to reflect better the content and reduce any confusion. This section is specific to the GSM-R voice radio equipment.

The content of section 41.5 ‘Making a railway emergency group call (REC)’ has been updated to reflect better that using this call facility will stop more than one train in the area. This now clearly establishes the difference with urgent calls.

The section on the warning horn, section 48 (previously section 47), has been updated. The changes aim to improve driver recall in high-stress situations and ensure a wider understanding of which warning horn sound is expected in each situation. The instructions have been simplified to refer to sounds rather than tones. In alignment with the changes in section 48, the driver instructions in sections 26.4, 40 and 45.1 have also been expanded to include the actual sound to be used.

Supplementary material on Warning Horns is featured in supporting documents attached below.

Optional reading and resources:

Standards quarterly webinar - September 2024

• Line proving trains
• Use of horns
• GSM-R Handbook