NPR 748 Track vehicle travel

Introduction

There are special requirements for track vehicle travel in the Network. The term track vehicle includes:

• road/rail vehicles, and
• track maintenance machines, and
• overhead wiring maintenance vehicles, and
• track inspection vehicles.

Preparing track vehicles for travel

Track Vehicle Operator

1. Make sure that your vehicle is fitted with working:
   1. brakes, and
   2. headlights, and
   3. tail lights or an approved end-of-train marker on the rear of the last vehicle, and
   4. hazard lights or amber or orange flashing light.
2. Make sure that your vehicle carries, or that you have immediate access to emergency equipment specified in the Train Operating Conditions (TOC) manual.

Travelling track vehicles

Qualified Worker in charge of a movement

1. Before travel begins, make sure that there is effective communication between the rearmost track vehicle and:
   1. the leading track vehicle, and
   2. intervening track vehicles, and
   3. Signallers.
2. Before travel begins, confirm with Signaller the details of track vehicles in the movement including:
   1. the number of vehicles and their identification numbers, and
   2. the order of travel, and
   3. if the track vehicles are to be block worked.
3. During travel:
   1. report progress to the Signaller as the rearmost track vehicle passes nominated locations
   2. get instructions from the Signaller
   3. if track vehicles are in a convoy, relay relevant messages from the Signaller to the other Track Vehicle Operators in the convoy.
4. Tell the Signaller if the movement has:
   1. arrived complete within a location, or
   2. departed a location, or
   3. cleared the main line, or
   4. been removed from the line.
5. During travel, be alert for workers in the Rail Corridor.
6. Get the Protection Officer’s authority before entering into a work on track authority or traversing a worksite within a work on track authority.

Travelling in convoy

Qualified Worker in the leading track vehicle

1. Tell the other Track Vehicle Operators in the convoy about the signal indications as your track vehicle approaches them and any special or relevant instructions.
2. Warn the other Track Vehicle Operators if your track vehicle:
   1. slows down or stops
   2. approaches the protection limits of a worksite.
3. If you lose communication with other track vehicles:
   1. reduce your track vehicle’s speed, and
   2. allow the convoy to close up.

Track Vehicle Operators

1. Adjust your speed according to messages received from Qualified Workers in track vehicles within the convoy.
2. Tell other Track Vehicle Operators in the convoy:
   1. as you reach agreed, easily-identified locations or reference points during the journey
   2. if you need to slow down or stop your track vehicle.
3. If you lose communication with the other track vehicles:
   1. reduce your track vehicle’s speed, and
   2. allow the convoy to close up, and
   3. travel at a restricted speed.
4. If you are not sure of the whereabouts of the track vehicle ahead when you reach its last reported location, travel at a restricted speed.
5. If you need to stop your track vehicle, and until your warning is acknowledged, continue to warn following Track Vehicle Operators by the use of one or more of the following:
   1. sending two-way radio messages
   2. flashing your track vehicle’s lights
   3. sounding your track vehicle’s whistle repeatedly
   4. giving a STOP handsignal at a safe braking-distance behind your track vehicle.

Travelling over level crossings

Qualified Worker in the leading track vehicle

1. Tell the other Track Vehicle Operators:
   1. that your track vehicle is approaching a level crossing, and
   2. to reduce their track vehicle’s speed and be prepared to stop.
2. Tell Track Vehicle Operators whether to:
   1. close up safely and travel over the crossing as a group, or
   2. travel over the level crossing on the authority of a Handsignaller.