2013 Q8 Axle counters

[asrisaku]

Hi again

The question seems straightforward and I really have no idea how to tackle with the written questions. Reading the topics related to the questions and then writing my thoughts down into papers may be a solution for me to learn. Of course! open books to get all ideas and then attempt.

Please review and give some clues to improve

Thanks
Arnut

[dorothy.pipet]

Part a: I'm not sure you've answered the question - you've certianly not said anything about how the positioning of train detection may need to move.
I wouldn't be able to give a complete list but here are some things I've come across:
Axle Counters can take longer to register a state change than some TRack circuits, therefore Strike-in points for level crossing need to be reassessed; controls for AWS suppression may need to change; any track sequences (signal stick, TORR) need to be evaluated also. Solutions are to change the controls (add an extra track section for example) or to move the Axle counter.
There are limits on how close to the old IBJ, Axle counters can be positioned.(e.g. Axle counter is closer to signal, delayed replacement may be required)

I'll try and look at part B later

[asrisaku]

Dear Dorothy

First of all, thanks for your comments. The comments above are useful and I was wondering how to get any source of that information to answer well and deep knowledge. I am certainly not sure I can find it in google search engine.

I have been thinking to respond that kind of question for a week and spent lots of hours digging the information. Is there any suggestion to begin with? Lots of info cannot be digested and well organized for me.

[dorothy.pipet]

I'm not sure really where to direct you - some of the information in the Axle Counter Applications manuals which are Network Rail Standards. I'm not sure if you have access to these, and they're fairly indigestible. Some is buried in parts of the SSI Data Prep guides - again Network Rail Standards. I know the IRSE red and green textbooks are too old now to have much useful information about Axle counters. Perhaps the newer ones are better, but I've not read them.
The suggestions I've made are simply some things I've experience of.

I'd be hard put to write in detail about operation and maintenance but I'd be thinking about
* Training of signallers and their supervisors on reset and restore procedures and Aspect restriction, also on use of EPR/STR.
* Training of maintenance staff on the new equipment - both lineside and axle counter evaluators. This involves routine maintenance, fault finding, replacing components and what testing requirements there might be. They'll need an appropriate stock of spares also.
* There may be different procedures when running tampers or doing other work in the area, but I'm vague on that.
* All staff working on the railway need to be aware that Track Circuit operating clips won't be effective, and what the alternative procedure is for protection [of a worksite/in an emergency].
All that is more operational than principles, so there's definitely gaps in my knowledge too [looks for someone more knowledgeable to step in please]

The broken rails point is a bit awkward. Track Circuits do not reliably detect broken rails. I don't think we intend them to, you might call it a useful side effect. So with track circuits you still have to check for rail breaks. It's still a valid point but be careful how you explain it.

[asrisaku]

Thank you very much indeed for getting those ideas and sharing information. It does help somehow the way to think of.