Stop and examine
The Stop and Examine rule [1] was a United Kingdom Rulebook rule which applied on the former British Railways. It required the traincrew to stop a train and investigate the cause if they became aware of any unusual conditions which might endanger the safety of the train .
The Stop and Examine rule was made defunct after the privatisation of the railway, when the modular format rulebook was introduced. Rules are no longer given names, but instead are referred to by their location within the rulebook. In this instance it is Module TW1 which states; [2]
" 20.2 When your train is put in danger
If you become aware of something which could put the safety of your train in danger, you must stop your train as soon as possible.
You must, if possible, avoid stopping the train:
- on a viaduct
- in a tunnel
- in any other place where it might be difficult to deal with the emergency.
(Guard) - You must tell the driver why you have stopped the train."
Accidents
In the Norton Fitzwarren rail crash (1940), the Stop and examine rule was applied, but no problem found.
See also
- Stop and Examine is a column by Pip Dunn in the monthly magazine "Railways Illustrated" and also the back-page column in the fortnightly magazine "RAIL", usually written by the editor.
- Glossary of United Kingdom railway terminology
References
- ↑ le Vay, Benedict, "Britain from the Rails: A Window Gazer's Guide", Bradt Travel Guides, 2009. Cf. p.127. "Under the 'stop-and-examine' rule, he applied the brake and the train halted perhaps half a mile further on".
- ↑ "Online Rulebook: Section TW1"
Further reading
- The Pacific Reporter, Volume 146, West Publishing Company, 1915. Cf. especially KIPROS v. UINTAH RY. CO. pp.292-294, Supreme Court of Utah, January 10, 1915.
- "What is the bell code used to communicate between signal cabins for block working?", The Indian Railways Fan Club. Cf. bell code for "Stop and Examine Train".
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