Tube signal failure

[pitzzapia]

Does anyone actually know what a “signal failure” entails? It seems like such a common problem on the tube but it sounds so simple to fix!

[TheDetailDoctor]

It can be anything from an actual signal failiure to a points machine, Train Stop, Tripcock Tester & anything in between.

[2something]

On the northern line it unfortunately means "service as normal".

It's funny how they use to write/say 'normal service' for status updates, but now they have to write/say 'good service' . . . the two are unfortunately not the same thing!

[Swilly]

Signal failures, people under trains etc etc are all common excuses LUL use to cover up the fact they couldnt successfully operate a train set let alone the worlds largest underground network.

[pitzzapia]

That’s what I'm thinking as well. I have seen "delays due to a signal failure at ..." at least 3 times a week over the last 5 years! Surely if it was such a persistent problem, LU would have done something by now?

[sadako]

Probably means the chavs have been stealing the copper wire again...

[Nigel H]

I'll ignore the witty comments

It's usually a track circuit failure. To detect the presence of trains small currents are passed through the rails; the presence of a train will pick a relay and turn signals to red behind.

There are lots of old wires and relays around and things tend to break. Then you get a signal failure. There are others things that go on as well.

Currently the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Line are all being re-signalled with new equipment. Completion will be 2009 to 2104

[trumpet600]

Nigel H said:

Currently the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Line are all being re-signalled with new equipment. Completion will be 2009 to 2104

That's quite a contingency they are allowing themselves.

[TheDetailDoctor]

Nigel H said:

I'll ignore the witty comments

It's usually a track circuit failure. To detect the presence of trains small currents are passed through the rails; the presence of a train will pick a relay and turn signals to red behind.

There are lots of old wires and relays around and things tend to break. Then you get a signal failure. There are others things that go on as well.

Currently the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Line are all being re-signalled with new equipment. Completion will be 2009 to 2104

Someone else in the industry?

[Gemsbok1000]

Swilly said:

Signal failures, people under trains etc etc are all common excuses LUL use to cover up the fact they couldnt successfully operate a train set let alone the worlds largest underground network.

Not entirely true - the majority of delays are caused by passengers (holding doors open, jumping or falling under trains, trespassing on lines, pulling the emergency stop, etc etc) than by equipment failure.

[Podie]

trumpet600 said:

Nigel H said:

Currently the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Line are all being re-signalled with new equipment. Completion will be 2009 to 2104

That's quite a contingency they are allowing themselves.

How many miles of track is that..? Scheduled maintainance window of how many hours per night..? Doesn't exactly sound like an easy or quick task...

[2something]

Gemsbok1000 said:

Swilly said:

Signal failures, people under trains etc etc are all common excuses LUL use to cover up the fact they couldnt successfully operate a train set let alone the worlds largest underground network.

Not entirely true - the majority of delays are caused by passengers (holding doors open, jumping or falling under trains, trespassing on lines, pulling the emergency stop, etc etc) than by equipment failure.

Must admit I have seen plenty of that occuring, rumour has it that on the Circle line it tends to be drivers not turning up - but surely that can't be as it's been going on for years ?

[Swilly]

2something said:

Gemsbok1000 said:

Swilly said:

Signal failures, people under trains etc etc are all common excuses LUL use to cover up the fact they couldnt successfully operate a train set let alone the worlds largest underground network.

Not entirely true - the majority of delays are caused by passengers (holding doors open, jumping or falling under trains, trespassing on lines, pulling the emergency stop, etc etc) than by equipment failure.

Must admit I have seen plenty of that occuring, rumour has it that on the Circle line it tends to be drivers not turning up - but surely that can't be as it's been going on for years ?

Next time we have heavy snow or heavy rain..... keep an eye on the number of "signal failures" you get !!

In fact, next time you get out the front door on the way to work and think to yourself "what a st day i wish i could stay at home" also note the number of "signal failures" you get.

Whereas passengers do hold doors open etc etc the tube is a metro which means it doesnt run to a timetable it just runs a regular service, so passenger type delay (excepting the use of the emergency button) isnt going to make much difference to the service.

As for the great old "passenger under a train" excuse... this seems to happen so often, yet is never in the news, on TV or papers.... and can you imagine the mess that would be made if someone was hit by a tube train entering the station... have you ever heard of a station being closed to clean up !! I havent either.

LUL have little control over the Union-led workforce and so make up ste like this.

[Podie]

Swilly said:

As for the great old "passenger under a train" excuse... this seems to happen so often, yet is never in the news, on TV or papers.... and can you imagine the mess that would be made if someone was hit by a tube train entering the station... have you ever heard of a station being closed to clean up !! I havent either.

There's a media embargo, so it's not reported.

[Swilly]

Podie said:

Swilly said:

As for the great old "passenger under a train" excuse... this seems to happen so often, yet is never in the news, on TV or papers.... and can you imagine the mess that would be made if someone was hit by a tube train entering the station... have you ever heard of a station being closed to clean up !! I havent either.

There's a media embargo, so it's not reported.

...or cleaned up

[pitzzapia]

Swilly said:

LUL have little control over the Union-led workforce and so make up ste like this.

I think we seriously need to get control over this. I am all for workers rights and safety but I think they should at least provide the service they are paid to provide before they start crying about pay and hours etc etc...

[zac510]

Is it true taht District and Circle line signalling system are still run on C64s?

I know they did a big buy up of the stuff a few years ago..?

[elster]

Podie said:

Swilly said:

As for the great old "passenger under a train" excuse... this seems to happen so often, yet is never in the news, on TV or papers.... and can you imagine the mess that would be made if someone was hit by a tube train entering the station... have you ever heard of a station being closed to clean up !! I havent either.

There's a media embargo, so it's not reported.

Usually a few suicides every week on the trains. Most drivers I know have had someone macerated by the wheel sets.

[drivin_me_nuts]

elster said:

Podie said:

Swilly said:

As for the great old "passenger under a train" excuse... this seems to happen so often, yet is never in the news, on TV or papers.... and can you imagine the mess that would be made if someone was hit by a tube train entering the station... have you ever heard of a station being closed to clean up !! I havent either.

There's a media embargo, so it's not reported.

Usually a few suicides every week on the trains. Most drivers I know have had someone macerated by the wheel sets.

naive question no doubt, but who cleans up the mess?

[grumbledoak]

Fairly specialist cleaning crews, I'd hope. The only worse job I can think of would be as the Bobby who gets to ask them their name before the train is lifted off them...