The Railway token

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Looking at the online archive (Limitof Shunt) of Sectional Appendices for the Northern Area of the Eastern Region, we can see the rules for the handing over of tablets changing.in 1969 the handover had to be done at 10mph or less, 3 years later drivers of locomotives could still do this unless using apparatus when thespeedwas increaseto 20mph but those driving DMUs had to come to a stop. By 1979 single-manned locomotives also had to stop to exchange tokens.

[@radiosnail]

Many thanks. Extremely interesting as always. Never seen a token handover.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@peteryoung4957]

Another interesting video dawn. I'd imagine that there's quite a few Tyer tokens machines around and in use, especially on branch lines. Off the top of my head and only 1 example, The Exeter to Barnstable line the machines are stored in cabinets at Eggesford and the driver does the token exchange.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

yeah although out of commission, the knaresborough token machine is also still in situ

[@TimothyWorel-xj9he]

If used properly, the Tyer system was infallible. The three most serious accidents on token protected lines was due to staff not operating the system properly. Norwich, when an Inspector allowed a train to leave the station, taking it for granted that the train coming the other way had been held. Abermule, where junior staff gave the driver a token without putting it through the machine. And Foxcote, on the Somerset and Dorset, which should not have been a block post in the First place.

[@TimothyWorel-xj9he]

When exchanging tokens on the move, how did the crew comply with the requirement that they should examine the token to check that it was for the correct section. The driver's failure to check the token at Abermule sealed the date of the train.

[@TheClaudHamilton]

True, but as I understand it, there weren't any token systems in place at the time of the Norwich and Foxcote disasters. It was all done by telegram in those cases. I do find it a little amusing, though, how the Radstock telegrapher shot himself in the foot on the night of the Foxcote collision by answering to HQ in such a non-sequitious manner.

[@caroleast9636]

@@TimothyWorel-xj9heA driver receiving a token must immediately examine it. If received on the move and the token is wrong then they have no choice but to stop asap…whatever hassle that may cause.

[@angelsone-five7912]

Now that was interesting, thank you very much.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@stephendavies6949]

Hello. I watched and listened with interest, as I have with many of your videos since subscribing. Your videos are very enjoyable and informative. You may be familiar with the Cowden train crash in the 1990s, which is a stark example of what can happen when such a system is not in operation. If you're not, try Daniel Fox's "Signals at Danger" podcasts. One of his episodes deals with it.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

ive never heard of his podcasts before - it sounds really interesting :)