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INFORMED SOURCES March 2002

Buffer stop TPWS chaos continues

Oddly Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate haven't replied to last month's item on their attempts to increase risks at terminal stations

Thanks to the many travellers and drivers who shared their experiences of the Train Protection & Warning System at terminal platforms. Many of you had noticed the odd behaviour of trains entering platforms with buffer stops and crawling along at 5mile/h, and then notching up again to get the end of the platform.

Despite the use of this technique, aimed at overcoming a glitch in the TPWS system when operating in a duty for which it was not designed, several readers reported cases where the TPWS still tripped and applied the brakes.

At one station, three successive trains tripped entering the same platform. Unfortunately, the last could not be restarted and since it was also an eight car unit, the tail occupied the track circuit clearing the set of points in the station throat, blocking another platform. So a fourth arrival had to buffer up, push train three into the platform, and then reverse out.

At which point I tell you that the HSE slogan is Reducing Risk Protecting People (R2P2) and we all fall about laughing.

Another reader confirmed my concerns about what happens when the brakes come on after passengers have stood up in anticipation of alighting. Of Platform 8 at York he writes – ‘ at least 3 emergency brake applications half way down the platform enabling all the impatient passengers, and those who couldn't get a seat in the first place, to become very familiar with each other in ways not normally encouraged in a public place'

Since you can't have drivers applying different techniques depending on whether their trains are TPWS fitted, there are also reports of eager commuters in slam door stock starting to bale out during the walking pace crawl along the platform, since they can beat the train to the buffer stops. More R2P2.

Meanwhile, I would be glad of any observations of the previous 10mile/h approach speed to buffer stops being reinstated where TPWS is fitted.