GSR Rule Book - 1933

DETONATORS.

56. Detonators are used for the purpose of attracting the attention of Trainmen. They must be placed as nearly as possible in the centre of the rail, and when fixed by hand they must be securely fastened by bending the clips round the upper flanges of the rail.

57. (a) Drivers, Guards, Signalmen, Crossing Keepers, Gangers and Fogsignalmen must be provided with detonators, which they must always have ready for use when on duty, and they will be held responsible for keeping a proper supply.

(b) Station Masters must maintain a sufficient stock of detonators and keep a supply in a suitable place easy of access and known to all persons connected with the station.

58. (a) Detonators must be carefully handled as they are liable to explode is roughly treated.

(b) They must be kept in dry places and not left in contact with brick walls, damp wood, chloride of lime or other disinfectant, nor exposed to the action of steam or other vapour.

(c) The month and year of manufacture is shown on the label outside each packet and is stamped on each detonator. Detonators must be issued in the order of the dates stamped on them; those of the oldest date being always used first.

(d) The mstock (including loose detonators and those supplied to Drivers, Guards, Signalmen, Crossing Keepers, Gangers and Fogsignalmen, also any kept in Gaurds' brake vans) must be examined during the first week in March and the first week in September. Detonators must be returned to the Stores Department at once if bearing any signs of rust on the outside of the case, or appearing unsatisfactory in any way. Except where instructions are issued to the contrary they must be returned to the Stores Department at the expiration of three years from the date stamped on them. At places where authority is given to use detonators up to five years old, they must be returned to the Stores Department at the expiration of that period. Detonators must not under any circumstances be used after they are five years old.

When a packet of detonators is opened, the whole of them must be examined, and should any show signs of rust none of them must be used, but the whole packet must be sent to the Stores Deparment.

(e) Should any detonator fail to explode the circumstances must be promptly reported to the Operating Superintendent, and the defective detonator forwarded to him for examination.

59. (a) When one or more detonators are exploded by a train at stop signals or signal boxes, the Driver must immediately bring his train to a stand, whether a hand signal is exhibited or not, unless he receives a green hand signal waved slowly from side to side in which case he must reduce speed as laid down in the second paragraph of Rule 60, or her receives a yellow hand signal at a three-aspect signal when he must reduce speed and be prepared to find the next stop signal at Danger.

< (b) When a detonator is exploded at a distant signal and a yellow hand signal is exhibited or in the absence of a hand signal, the Driver must be prepared to stop at the home signal. Should, however, he receive a hand Danger signal in addition to the explosion of the detonator, he must, unless he is satisfied the hand signal is given for the purpose of repating a distant signal at Caution, in clear weather bring his train under such complete control as to enable him to stop at once if required and then proceed cautiosly to the place of obstruction or until he receives a further signal for his guidance; during fog or falling snow he must bring his train to a stand and then proceed cautiously to the place of obstruction, or until he receives further signal for his guidance.

60. When one or more detonators are exploded by a train other than at a fixed signal or at a signal box whether accompanied by a hand Danger signal or not the Driver must, in clear weather, bring his train under such complete control as to enable him to stop at once if required and then proceed cautiously to the place of obstruction or until he receives a further isgnal for his guidance; during fog or falling snow he must bring his train to a stand and then proceed cautiously to the place of obstruction or until he receives a further signal for his guidance.

If, after the explosion of a detonator, the Driver receives a green hand signal waved slowly from side to side he must reduce the speed of his train to 15 miles per hour, or such other redused speed as may be prescribed, over the portion of the line to which such green hand signal applies.