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Section 19; pages:
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Section 19: Signs associated with Radio Systems
(Page 2 of 2)
The "Global System for Mobile communications-Railway" (GSM-R) is a digital system that will replace the outdated analogue systems used by CSR and NRN. In connection with GSM-R trials, in November 2001 signs were installed at Oxford and Didcot stations, where the CSR/GSM-R changeover takes place. These signs only apply to Class 165/166 trains. At Oxford, signs advise drivers of northbound Cotswold Line services to switch on GSM [19.13], or CSR in the case of southbound services [19.14]. Signs were installed at the west end of Didcot station (Platforms 3 and 4), where services change direction [19.15].
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[19.13] "Switch On GSM" Sign (Oxford).
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[19.14] "Switch On CSR" Sign (Oxford).
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[19.15] "Changeover CSR / GSM" Sign (Didcot).
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From 2002, drivers working over certain routes were issued with a GSM-R (IVRS) hand portable (IVRS = Interim Voice Radio System). The GSM-R (IVRS) hand portable must be used, in designated areas, to contact the signalman in an emergency when protection of the line is required. This was a safety requirement in areas where axle counters replaced track circuits as the means of train detection (e.g. the Stoke-on-Trent area, in 2002). Signs are installed to mark the entrance to [19.16] and exit from [19.17] a GSM-R radio network area. With the GSM-R system, there are no channel codes. The later, standard form of GSM-R exit board has a red diagonal cross [19.18] instead of the single diagonal stripe originally used.
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[19.16] GSM-R Entry Board.
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[19.17] GSM-R Exit Board.
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[19.18] GSM-R Exit Board.
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The GSM-P system, which facilitates emergency contact between Operations Control and drivers, is in use on the lines from Birmingham (Small Heath South Junction) to Hartlebury, Stratford-upon-Avon and Banbury. Signs are installed to remind drivers to switch on the GSM-P [19.19].
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[19.19] "Switch On GSM" Sign.
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A small plate may be fitted to a signal controlling the exit from a siding as a reminder of the applicable CSR channel code [19.20]. Similarly, an alias plate can incorporate a reminder of the CSR channel code [19.21].
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[19.20] CSR Channel Code Reminder Sign.
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[19.21] Alias Plate with CSR Channel Code Reminder.
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Trials of a fully functional GSM-R system commenced on the Glasgow North Electric lines in October 2007. A distinct alias plate for GSM-R [19.22] is required because it may be co-located with an ordinary alias plate provided for the CSR system (see [19.6]). A GSM-R alias plate has just three digits, and these do not match the last three digits of the four-digit number used for CSR set-up purposes.
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[19.22] GSM-R Alias Plate.
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From c.2008, signs have been provided on some platforms at stations managed by Southern, giving information for drivers requiring to carry out the CSR 'set up' procedure. The first line of text states the applicable direction, "Up" or "Down", together with an arrowhead pointing towards the track. The second line gives the CSR area code preceded by the letter "A" for "area" and followed by the letters "SU" for "set up", then the relevant signal number or alias code [19.23].
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[19.23] CSR Set-Up Sign (Southern).
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At London Fenchurch Street station, CSR 'set up' signs stating the relevant area code and signal number have been provided on each platform [19.24].
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[19.24] CSR Set-Up Sign (c2c).
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In 2009, a new sign was introduced that combines a GSM-R exit board (see [19.18]) and an NRN channel indicator (see [19.8]) onto a single board [19.25].
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[19.25] Combined GSM-R Exit Board and NRN Channel Indicator.
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The standard GSM-R entry and exit boards (see [19.16 & 19.18]) made no distinction between areas where GSM-R was fully operational and those where only IVRS (Interim Voice Radio System) was used. New signs were therefore introduced in 2010 to identify the entrance to [19.26] and exit from [19.27] an IVRS area. They have the letters "IVRS" at the top and a large letter "I" in the centre. These signs replace the former GSM-R entry and exit boards, which will now be used only for areas with full GSM-R operation.
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[19.26] IVRS Entry Board.
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[19.27] IVRS Exit Board.
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