Rule 55

Rule 55

Rule 55 was an operating rule adopted by railway companies in the British Isles in the late 19th century. It was introduced following a spate of accidents caused by signalmen forgetting that trains were standing on the line, sometimes within sight of their signal boxes.

Overview

or any shunter riding on the train, to the signal box to ensure that the signalman was aware of the presence of the train, and that all safeguards to protect the train, such as slides or collars on the signal levers, were in place, the crewman then signing the train register to confirm this.

In practice, this usually meant a fruitless trudge, often in foul weather, for the unfortunate crewman (although there was usually a mug of tea to be had in the signal box). Quite often the rule was obeyed only perfunctorily, the crewman merely exchanging a greeting with the signalman before signing the register and departing. In many cases, such as at major junctions or marshalling yards where crewmen walking along the rails were in grave danger from moving trains, the rule could not be applied properly. Further, the need for the fireman to return to the train would delay it if the signal was cleared in the meantime.

Accidents

Failure to apply the rule properly was a factor in several railway accidents in the period from 1890 onwards. At Thirsk and Hawes Junction, the crews of the standing trains failed to carry out the rule. At Quintinshill, the fireman of the standing train signed the register although the necessary safeguards were not in place.

It is impossible to know how many accidents were prevented by the proper observation of the rule, and it could not always prevent a crash. At Winwick, a train was brought to a stand some distance from the signal box. The fireman left promptly to carry out the rule, but he had not reached the signal box before his train was struck. To prevent such occurrences, 'call plungers' (which operate an indicator in the signal box when pressed) or telephones were installed at some signal posts, or track circuits installed.

Except on some remote rural lines, the rule has fallen into disuse.

Exemption

A white diamond sign on a signal post indicates to the driver that Rule 55 does not apply at that signal (at which no telephone is provided), due to the train being protected by track circuits or similar means.

References

*


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • rule — 1 n 1 a: a prescribed guide for conduct or action b: a regulating principle or precept 2 a: an order or directive issued by a court in a particular proceeding esp. upon petition of a party to the proceeding that commands an officer or party to… …   Law dictionary

  • Rule — Rule, n. [OE. reule, riule, OF. riule, reule, F. r[ e]gle, fr. L. regula a ruler, rule, model, fr. regere, rectum, to lead straight, to direct. See {Right}, a., and cf. {Regular}.] 1. That which is prescribed or laid down as a guide for conduct… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rule 30 — is a one dimensional binary cellular automaton rule introduced by Stephen Wolfram in 1983. [cite journal|author = Wolfram, S.|title = Statistical mechanics of cellular automata|journal = Rev. Mod. Phys.|volume = 55|pages = 601–644|year = 1983|doi …   Wikipedia

  • rule — ► NOUN 1) a regulation or principle governing conduct or procedure within a particular sphere. 2) control or government: British rule. 3) a code of practice and discipline for a religious community. 4) (the rule) the normal or customary state of… …   English terms dictionary

  • Rule — Rule, n. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] Syn: regulation; law; precept; maxim; guide; canon; order; method; direction; control; government; sway; empire. [1913 Webster] Rule Rule, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ruled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Ruling}.] [Cf. OF. riuler,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rule — Rule, n. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] Syn: regulation; law; precept; maxim; guide; canon; order; method; direction; control; government; sway; empire. [1913 Webster] Rule Rule, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ruled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Ruling}.] [Cf. OF. riuler,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rule 3:36 — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Rule 3:36 Álbum de Ja Rule Lanzado el 10 de octubre de 2000 Grabado: 2000 Género Rap Duración: 57 mi …   Wikipedia Español

  • rule — [ro͞ol] n. [ME reule < OFr rieule < L regula, ruler, straightedge < regere, to lead straight, rule: see RIGHT] 1. a) an authoritative regulation for action, conduct, method, procedure, arrangement, etc. [the rules of the school] b) an… …   English World dictionary

  • Rule — Rule, v. i. 1. To have power or command; to exercise supreme authority; often followed by over. [1913 Webster] By me princes rule, and nobles. Prov. viii. 16. [1913 Webster] We subdue and rule over all other creatures. Ray. [1913 Webster] 2.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rule — bezeichnet folgende Personen: Ja Rule (* 1976), US amerikanischer Rapper Jane Rule (1931–2007), kanadische Autorin Orte: Rule (Arkansas), Ort im Carroll County, Arkansas, USA Rule (Texas), Ort im Haskell County, Texas, USA Begriffe: Der englische …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”