Virtually Going Off The Rails

Members of the Branch, along with guests from our sister Branch in Edinburgh, enjoyed a very informative morning at the National Rail Signalman Training Centre at Newtongrange, near Dalkieth.

Our group was invited and made most welcome by Michael Jefferson, whose mother, Roma is an active member of the Branch.

The morning started off with a hot drink and chocolate biscuits (always a good icebreaker) while Michael told us all about the roles and responsibilities of a signalman. There’s more to it than you would expect, with Michael likening it to two-dimensional air traffic control. Their role is primarily safety but they have to deal with every eventuality that can occur on the rails, from a driverless train unable to leave the platform to animals on the line and fatal accidents.

After Michael’s presentation we were given the chance to virtually control all of the trains departing, arriving and transiting through Waverly station. Mark managed to close the station down within about five minutes, but considering “a stopped train is a safe train” his safety record was exemplary, although customer satisfaction would have been nil.

It looks easier than it actually is!