What is the principal of Single Line Working
When one line of a double line becomes blocked, single line working by pilotman allows trains to travel over the other line in either direction
Before entering the single line, you must make sure that you:
- can properly identify the pilotman who will wear the PILOTMAN armband
- clearly understand all the instructions the pilotman has given you
- have the personal authority of the pilotman to enter the single line
- make sure the pilotman has given you a Driver’s Single Line Working Ticket (RT3193).
The pilotman will show the driver’s ticket to each driver and then give the ticket to the driver in the leading cab if there is more than one locomotive.
List the 4 things you do not need the RT3193 ticket for, if your train is to enter the single line to:
- assist a failed train
- evacuate passengers from a failed train
- remove a portion of a divided train
- remove a train or vehicles that have proceeded without authority.
What will the pilotman tell you with regards to a handsignaler
Which locations your train will be controlled by a handsignal.
You must stop at each of these locations unless a proceed handsignal is shown.
How to identify the pilot an
The pilot an must wear on your left arm a red armlet with PILOTMAN in white letters.
Handsignallers and wrong-direction movements
Handsignallers are to be positioned to control wrong-direction movements over the single line.
But, if possible, signals will be used that normally control wrong-direction movements.
The pilotman will make sure the points on the single line:
- are secured and padlocked for the safety of movements over them
- have a green flag or green light placed alongside them which is clearly visible to the drivers of all wrong-direction movements.
The Pilotmans authority
They must:
- be present and personally authorise movements which will enter or foul the single line
- before authorising the movement, get permission from the signaller who controls the entrance to the single line
- get the signaller’s permission before authorising a driver to pass any signal at danger.
What will the driver be told about points and crossings arrangements
The driver must be told to approach at caution all points, switch diamonds and swing-nose crossings and to check, if possible, they are in the correct position and not to exceed 15 mph (25 km/h) over them if:
- the points are mechanically operated
- the points are unworked
- power-operated points have not been secured and padlocked.
Where power-operated points have been secured and padlocked the driver of the first train will be told:
To approach at caution all points, switch diamonds and swing-nose crossings and check, if possible, they are in the correct position and not to exceed 15 mph (25 km/h) over them.
The driver of each subsequent train is told the location of any points, switch diamonds or swing-nose crossings over which speed must be reduced below 50 mph (80 km/h) (including the crossovers leading to and from the single line) and what speed is to apply.
When the Pilotman arrives at the other end of the single line, they must:
- collect the cancelled driver’s ticket
* immediately tell the signaller that you have arrived.
Wrong direction movements:
How is it controlled in single line working?
Your train movement in the wrong direction will be controlled by handsignals, except where it is possible for shunting or position light signals to be worked. A handsignaller will not be provided if there is a main aspect signal to return the train to the proper line at the end of the single line.
You must not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h), or the permissible speed if lower.
If there is no main aspect signal or handsignaller to control wrong-direction movements returning to the proper line, the pilotman will accompany you and will instruct you to stop the train:
• opposite the signal which applies to the obstructed line protecting the crossover where trains return to the proper line
If the crossover where trains return to the proper line is facing to movements, you must:
- get the signaller’s permission for your train to proceed over the crossover, or
- if a signal is provided for the movement, proceed when the signal is cleared.
If the crossover is trailing to movements, you must ask the signaller for instructions about drawing forward and then setting back over the crossover to return to the proper line.
Right-direction movements
You must obey each signal when travelling over the single line in the right direction.
You do not need to travel at any reduced speed, other than at locations where you must proceed at caution
If you are the driver of the first train over the single line, you must stop, if instructed, to allow the pilotman to:
- tell anyone who is working on or near the line used for the single line working that single line working has been introduced
- tell any crossing keeper about the single line working arrangements
- check that points are properly secured.
When not accompanied by the pilotman and If you are the driver of the first train over the single line, if instructed, before you entered the single line:
stop and tell anyone who is working on or near the line used for single line working:
- that single line working has been introduced, and
- the line over which it applies.
Disposing of the driver’s single line working ticket
a) When accompanied by the pilotman
- cancel your ticket by writing ‘CANCELLED’ across it
- give the ticket to the pilotman.
b) When not accompanied by the pilotman
You do not need to stop at the end of the single line to give up the ticket unless specially instructed to do so. However, you must:
- as soon as possible, cancel the ticket by writing ‘CANCELLED’ across it
- hand in the ticket as shown in your company’s instructions.
Withdrawing Single Line Working:
First train through the section
If you are the driver of the first train through the section, if instructed by the signaller to do so, you must stop to tell anyone working on or near the line that was used for single line working:
- that single line working has been withdrawn
- whether the obstructed line is open or is to stay blocked.
If instructed, you must also stop and tell any crossing keeper.
A handsignaller will not be needed to control wrong-direction movements back to the proper line if:
- a main aspect signal which applies to trains leaving the single line is provided at the crossover, or
- the pilotman travels with every train over the single line in the wrong direction.
