GSR Rule Book - 1933

SIGNALLING DURING FOG OR FALLING SNOW.

84. The Station Master must arrange beforehand with the Permanent-way Inspector the allocation of the Permanent-way menwho are to act as Fogsignalmen at the various posts. If there are insufficient Permanent-way men for the purpose the Station Master must report accordingly to his superior officer

A regualr Fogsignalman, and where necessary a relief Fogsignalman, must be appointed for every fogging post and a list of the names and addresses of these men showing the post to which each man is assigned must be exhibited in a conspicuous position in the Station Master's office and signal box.

The Ganger or other person referred to in Rule 221 must not be assigned a fixed post, but must be left free to examine the line in accordance with that Rule. He may, however, when no other competent man is available, be employed to call Fogsignalmen, to visit them at their posts, and distribute detonators as required.

85. A sufficient supply of detonators, hand lamps, and flags for the use of the Fogsignalmen must be kept at stations and signal boxes in connection with which the men are employed.

86. During fog or falling snow the Station Master must satisfy himself that the Fogsignalmen have proceeded to the posts where their services are required.

87. (a) When a fog or snowstorm occurs between 6.0 a.m. and 8.0 p.m., the men appointed to act as Fogsignalmen must at once report to the Signalman, and take his instructions.

When it is necessary to employ Fogsignalmen between 8.0 p.m. and 6.0 a.m. the Station Master or Signalman must, unless the men have been previously notified, arrange to have them called and sent to their respective posts.

If Fogsignalmen become aware that their services are required during the night, or at any other time when off duty, they must at once report to the Signalman without waiting to be called, but this will not relieve the Station Master or Signalman from the responsibility of sending for the Fogsignalmen when necessary.

(b) If a Fogsignalman, proceeding to the signal box to report for duty, has to pass the signal to which he is appointed, he must, if that signal is at Danger, or Caution in the case of a distant signal, place one detonator on the rail of the line to which the signal applies and then proceed to the signal box, getting back to his poart as promptly as possible. He must keep a few detonators in his possession for the purpose of this Rule.

(c) When a Fogsignalman has to pass a signal box on his way to take up duty at a signal worked from another box, he must inform the Signalman that he is going to commence fogsignalling at such signal, and the Signalman so informed must advise the Signalman at the box from which the signal is worked that the Fogsignalman has gone to his post, and at what time. It will not then be necessary for the Fogsignalman to proceed to the box from which the signal is worked. In such cases the Fogsignalman's equipment must be kept at the box at which he reports.

(d) When the fog has cleared sufficiently, or the snowstorm has ceased, the Fogsignalman must place one detonator on the rail of the line to which the signal applies, and then go to the nearest signal box and ascertain whether his services are still required. If the signal for which he is fogsignalling is worked from another box the Signalman must obtain this information from the Signalman at that box.

NOTE.--On the Great Southern Railways 2 detonators, 10 yards apart, are used to carry out Rules 87, 90, 91, 92 and 94.

88. Persons responsible for the provision of relief Fogsignalmen must arrange for these men to be called as required.

89. Signalmen must enter in the train register, or other book provided, the time each Fogsignalman commences and leaves duty.

90. Before proceeding to his post each Fogsignalman must be supplied with 36 detonators, or more if necessary, a hand signal lamp, trimmed and lighted, and a red, a yellow (where necessary), and a green flag.

If the stock of detonators first supplied is likely to become soon exhausted, the Fogsignalman must obtain a futher supply from the nearest station or signal box. Should the Fogsignalman have to leave his post for this purpose, he must leave one detonator on the rail.

NOTE.--On the Great Southern Railways 2 detonators, 10 yards apart, are used to carry out Rules 87, 90, 91, 92 and 94.

91. (a) A fogsignalman employed at a distant signal must place himself outside the signal, and is such a position as will enable him to keep the isngal, or is repeater, well in sight.

Immediately after the passing of a train the Fogsignalman must place one detonator on the rail of the line to which the signal applies, and keep it there so long as the signal is at Caution and exhibit a hand Caution signal, held steadily, to the Driver and Guard of an approaching train. When the signal is lowered he must remove the detonator from the rail and exhibit to the Driver and Guard a green hand signal, held steadily. On single lines the detonator must be removed from the rail when the Fogsignalman is satisfied that a train is approaching from the opposite direction; in such case, a hand signal must not be given and the detonator must be replaced immediately after the passage of the train.

(b) The Fogsignalman must see that the distant signal which has been lowered for a train to pass is replaced at Caution after the passing of the train. If, after a reasonable time has elapsed, the signal is not replaced at Caution, the Fogsignalman must leave the detonator on the rail, and if employed at a signal near to a signal box advise the Signalman of the occurrence. If he is not able to communicate with the Singalman he must go back along the line affected showing a red hand signal and place on the rail 3 detonators, 10 yards apart, as far as is necessary to ensure the next train being brought to a stand at the distant signal; after placing the detonators on the rail the Fogsignalman must immediately return to his post continuing to exhibit the red hand signal. When the train has stopped, the Driver must be instructed to proceed cautiously and inform the Signalman at the box in advance of the circumstances. Subsequent trains must be similarly dealt with until the signal has been replaced at Caution, or the Fogsignalman is satisfied that Drivers are being advised by the Signalman st the box in rear that the distant signal is not working properly. When the Fogsignalman is so satisfied he must keep a detonator on the rail and exhibit a hand Caution signal until the distant signal is again in working order. In the case of single lines, should a train travelling in the opposite direction explode the 3 detonators referred to above, the Fogsignalman must replace them.

The same steps must be taken in the event of a distant signal light going out, and the Fogsignalman not being able to relight the lamp.

A Fogsignalman finding the distant signal in the Clear position upon arrival at his post must satisfy himself that the signal is working properly.

(c) When the distant signal is on the same post as a stop signal and the stop signal is at Danger, a red hand signal must be exhibited by the Fogsignalman and he must not take up the detonator unless both signals are lowered. Should the stop signal be lowered and the distant signal remain at Caution, the Fogsignalman must exhibit a hand Caution signal, and if the fog is so dense that the Driver cannot see the distant signal the Fogsignalman must verbally cuation him by ising the words "Home signal off--distant on," or "Starting (or advanced starting) signal off--distant on," as the case may be.

(d) If the Fogsignalman becomes aware of any obstruction on the line or lines in the immediate neighbourhood of the signal for which he is signalling other than from a train not having gone forward, he must leave the detonator on the rail and at once take the necessary steps to protect such obstruction in accordance with Rules 179, clause (a), and 181, after which he must return to his post at the distant signal. If the Fogsignalman is employed at a signal near to a signal box, he must also take steps to advise the Signalman of the occurrence.

(e) When a Fogsignalman is empoyed in connection with a stop signal he must, when the signal is at Danger, place one detonator on the rail of the line affected, exhibit a red ahnd signal to the Driver of an apporaching train, and carry out any instruction he may receive from the Signalman. When the signal is lowered to the Clear position the Fogsignalman must remove the detonator from the rail and exhibit a green hand signal to the Driver and Guard.

In the case of a three-position semaphore signal in the Caution postion or a multiple-aspect signal exhibiting the aspect of one yellow or two yellows, he must keep the detonator on the rail and exhibit a yellow hand signal to the Driver and Guard.

(f) The Fogsignalman must see that the stop signal is replaced at Danger after the passing of each train; if, however, the signal is not replaced at Danger, the Fogsignalman must put down one detonator, and at once communicate with the Signalman.

NOTE.--On the Great Southern Railways 2 detonators, 10 yards apart, are used to carry out Rules 87, 90, 91, 92 and 94.

92. (a) After having fixed the detonator on the rail, the Fogsignalman must stand in the best position, having regard to his own safety, for effectively giving the hand signals to the Driver and Guard.

(b) When one man is fogsignalling for two or more lines it will not always be practicable for the Fogsignalman to exhibit the prescribed hand signals, in which case the provisions of Rule 59 must be observed.

(c) When the fixed signal for which he is fogsignalling cannot be seen by the Fogsignalman, he must, unless he can satisfy himself to the contrary, assume that it is at Danger, or Caution in the case of a distant signal.

(d) In cases of accident, failure, or obstruction, Gaurds and Drivers must act strictly in accordance with the prescribed Rules, and must not depend upon Fogsignalmen for the protection of their trains.

NOTE.--On the Great Southern Railways 2 detonators, 10 yards apart, are used to carry out Rules 87, 90, 91, 92 and 94.

93. When the Fogsignalmen are numerous, a competent man must be appointed to visit them at their posts, to see that they are propely performing their duties, and are supplied with the necessary equipment and to furnish them with a further supply of detonators if required.

94. When the Signalman requires to stop an approaching train during fog or falling snow and a Fogsignalman is not on duty, he must keep his signals at Danger, and, when practicable, place one detonator on the rail of the line to which the signals apply.

NOTE.--On the Great Southern Railways 2 detonators, 10 yards apart, are used to carry out Rules 87, 90, 91, 92 and 94.

95. (a) During severe frost or falling snow, signals, points, locks and bars, must be frequently worked by the Signalman when the section is clear and no train has been signalled, in order to prevent frost or snow impeding the working of such apparatus.

(b) Fogsignalmen must see that nothing interferes with the true working of the arms and lights of the signals for which they are fogsignalling; that the signal arms, lamp glasses and spectacles are kept clear from snow; and, as far as practicable, that the wires work freely over the pulleys. The Fogsignalmen must at once report to the Signalman any defect in the signals or impediment to their proper working. If Fogsignalmen are not employed, the Ganger must provide for this duty being performed.

When Platelayers are required during the night for the purpose of claring points the Signalman must take steps to have them called out as promptly as possible.