In
order to reduce operating costs and to maximise drivers 'handle' time on the
locomotive the groups engineers prepare the locomotive as 'Fit To Run' (FTR)
before each trip and start the engines.
The
FTR is carried out by authorised staff who check the locomotive thoroughly for
anything that might cause injury or present danger to persons or infrastructure
about the railway. It does not prove that an engine or transmission will fail
later, simply that the locomotive is safe to operate.
On
D1015 the FTR comprises of a visual check of the underframe, bogies, cardan
shafts and running gear (springs and brakes) and that all final drive oil levels
are correct. All external doors and covers are checked, closed and secured, head
and tail lights are illuminated and checked, windscreen washers and horns work
are functioned (tested), cab side windows open freely and that the windows are
clean. All safety systems (AWS, SSF, DVD, DSD) are checked and functioned and
then engine water, oil and fuel levels are checked. Internally the loco must be
clean and free of oil and grease and tools and equipment safely stored. The
whole process is considered in engineering terms as equivalent to an A exam and
like this exam an FTR takes around 5 hours to complete.
Once
completed and the loco is 'signed off' the FTR certificate is sent to EWS as
verification and from that moment the loco is able to operate on the main line.
This certificate lasts for 48 hours and once this period has run out the whole
process begins again, irrespective of whether the loco has run over 1000 miles
or remained on shed.
Taken
from an original guide book for drivers on how to prepare for traffic and/or
correct defects on Class 52 locomotives the following details shown below show
the preparation and starting procedure carried out each on D1015 Western
Champion each time it is prepared for duties on the main line.
Note:
Dependant on the engine cooling water temperature
preheating takes 10-75 minutes.
| (1) Enter the locomotive at the A end | |
| 1.1 | Move the BIS to the ON position |
| 1.2 | Check the LOW WATER LEVEL fault indicator in the cab is BLUE. If it is RED arrange to top up the cooling water level |
| 1.3 | Select SHORE or BATTERY supply |
| 1.4 | Operate the preheater start button |
| 1.5 | Observe the preheater is operating correctly |
| 1.6 | If the STACK SWITCH operates, reset it by depressing the button located on the exhaust stack. Then restart the preheater. |
| Note: Only attempt three 'starts' of the preheater. If it still fails to start seek assistance | |
| Note: If the coolant water temperature is below 110°F
(43.3°C)
any attempt to start the engine |
|
|
(2) Proceed to the B end |
|
| 2.1 | Select SHORE or BATTERY supply |
| 2.2 | Check
the LOW WATER LEVEL fault indicator is BLUE. If it is RED arrange to top up the
cooling water level. |
| 2.3 | Operate
the preheater start button. |
| 2.4 | Observe
the preheater is operating correctly. |
| 2.5 |
If
the STACK SWITCH operates, reset it by depressing the button located on the
exhaust stack. Then restart the preheater. |
| 2.6 | Note:
Only attempt three 'starts' of the preheater. If it still fails to start
seek assistance. |
| Note:
If the coolant water temperature is below 110°F
(43.3°C)
any attempt to start the engine |
|
| (1)
Enter the locomotive at the A end. |
|
| 1.1 | Move the BIS to the ON position. |
| 1.2 | Check that the exhauster isolating switches are set to NORMAL |
|
(2)
Enter the A cab |
|
| 2.1 | Check that the handbrake is ON |
| 2.2 | Press the transmission reset button. |
| 2.3 |
Insert
and turn the master key, select direction and check that the LOW WATER
TEMPERATURE light is blue. If it is RED make arrangements for preheating (see 'PREHEATING). |
| Note: The light will be RED if the coolant water temperature is
below 110°F
(43.3°C)
and any attempt to start the engine will cause the GENERAL ALARM light to give a RED indication. |
|
| 2.4 | Return the reversing handle to OFF, turn and remove the master key |
|
(3) Alight from the locomotive and complete an external
check that: |
|
| 3.1 | All
air hoses are secured and their cocks are closed, the heating hoses are secured
on their chains and that the vacuum hoses are secured on their dummy plugs. |
| 3.2 | No
depot pipes or cables are attached. |
| 3.3 | The main lighting switch is in the LOCO or BATTERY position |
| (4)
Enter the B end cab. |
|
| 4.1 | Check that the handbrake is ON |
| 4.2 | Insert
and turn the master key, select direction and check that the LOW WATER
TEMPERATURE light is blue. |
| Note: The light will be RED if the coolant water temperature is
below 110°F
(43.3°C)
and any attempt to start the engine will cause the GENERAL ALARM light to give a RED indication. |
|
| 4.3 | Return
the reversing handle to OFF, turn and remove the master key. |
| 4.4 | Check that the detonator case is sealed and the track circuit operating clips are in position. |
| 4.5 | Check that the hand fire extinguishers are in position |
| 4.6 | Check
that the vacuum control governor and AVR / Dynostarter shorting switches are
sealed. |
| 4.7 | Test the fire alarm |
| 4.8 | Check that the MCB's are set with the red spot showing |
| 4.9 | Press the transmission reset button |
| 4.10 | Check
the fuel transfer switch is at NORMAL. |
| 4.11 | Check that the engine start and isolating switch, ESIS is at ON |
| 4.12 | Check
that the water temperature starting switch is sealed. |
| 4.13 | Check
that the straight air brake is OFF. |
| 4.14 | Check that the automatic brake valve is in the SHUT DOWN position |
| 4.15 | Check that the AWS change end switch is at OFF |
|
(5) Proceed into the engine room corridor. |
|
| 5.1 | Check that the two hand fire extinguishers are in position |
| 5.2 | Check
that the spare fuses and bulbs cabinet is equipped. |
| 5.3 | Check the radiator and intercooler gauges |
| 5.4 | Check that the fire bottle pins are removed. |
| 5.5 | Check that the preheater switch is at BATTERY |
| 5.6 | Test the preheater |
|
(6) Proceed to the first engine |
|
| 6.1 | Open
both bus rail bleed cocks and check that no air is present in the fuel. |
| 6.2 | Check
that the local stop button is not depressed. |
|
(7)
Proceed to the 'free' end of the engine in the
boiler compartment |
|
| 7.1 | Check the fuel and water gauges |
| 7.2 | Check that the compressor change-over switch is at NORMAL |
| 7.3 | Check that the spare CF1 and CF2 fuses are in position |
| 7.4 | Turn the GOODS / PASSENGER switch to AIR / PASSENGER |
| 7.5 | Check that the fuel barrier cock is closed. |
| 7.6 | Rotate both engines oil filters. |
|
(8) Proceed to the second engine |
|
| 8.1 |
Open
both bus rail bleed cocks and check |
| 8.2 | Check
that the local stop button is not depressed. |
| 8.3 | Check
that the air/vacuum isolating cock is open. |
|
(9) Proceed into the engine room corridor |
|
| 9.1 | Check that the two hand fire extinguishers are in position |
| 9.2 | Check that the spare fuses and bulbs cabinet is equipped |
| 9.3 | Check the radiator and intercooler gauges |
|
(10)
Enter the A cab. |
|
| 10.1 | Check
that the detonator case is sealed and the track circuit operating clips are in
position. |
| 10.2 | Check that the hand fire extinguishers are in position |
| 10.3 | Check
that the vacuum control governor and AVR / Dynostarter shorting switches are
sealed. |
| 10.4 | Test the fire alarm |
| 10.5 | Check that the MCB's are set with the red spot showing |
| 10.6 | Check the fuel transfer switch is at NORMAL |
| 10.7 | Check that the engine start and isolating switch, ESIS is at ON |
| 10.8 | Check that the water temperature shorting switch is sealed |
| 10.9 | Start the rear engine |
| 10.10 | Start the front engine |
|
(11) Perform a brake test in 'AIR' |
|
| 11.1 | When a
pressure of at least 95 p.s.i. is registered on the main reservoir gauge, move
the automatic brake valve to RUNNING |
| 11.2 | Move
the automatic brake valve to FIRST APPLICATION and check that the brake pipe
pressure falls to 63-65 p.s.i. |
| 11.3 | Move
the automatic brake valve in steps to FULL SERVICE. Check that the brake pipe
pressure falls to 44-48 p.s.i. and that |
| 11.4 | Move
the automatic brake valve to EMERGENCY, check that the brake pipe pressure falls
to zero and that the brake cylinder |
| 11.5 | Move the automatic brake valve back to RUNNING |
| 11.6 | With
the brake pipe pressure at 72.5 p.s.i. (5 bar), move the reversing handle to FOR
and, without the D S D peddle depressed, check that the brake pipe pressure starts to fall to zero
after a short period (3-6 seconds). |
| 11.7 | Move
the automatic brake valve to SHUT DOWN and the straight air brake valve to OFF. |
| 11.8 | Move
the straight air brake valve to ON and check that the brake cylinder pressure
rises to its maximum. |
| 11.9 | Return
the reversing handle to OFF. |
| 11.10 | Remove the master key from the controller, leaving the engine(s) running. |
| 11.11 | Release the hand brake |
| 11.12 | Switch on the tail lights (where applicable) |
| 11.13 | Switch off the cab heaters and lights |
|
(12) Return through the locomotive to the B cab. On the way: |
|
| 12.1 | Examine the engine room for defects, leakages and escape of air or exhaust gases |
| 12.2 | Check that the lubricating oil pressure is above 70 p.s.i. |
| 12.3 | Turn the GOODS / PASSENGER switch to VACUUM PASSENGER |
| 12.4 | Close
both engines bus rail bleed cocks. |
| 12.5 | Leave the engine room with all doors and windows closed |
|
(13)
In the B cab |
|
| 13.1 | Insert the master key and move the reversing handle to E.O |
| 13.2 | Move
the AWS switch to ON, then press the reset button to silence the horn. |
|
(14)
Perform a brake test in 'VACUUM' |
|
| 14.1 |
Move
the automatic brake valve to RUNNING, check that the brake pipe pressure rises
to 72.5 p.s.i. (5 bar) and |
| 14.2 | Move
the straight air brake valve to ON and check that the brake cylinder pressure
rises to its maximum. |
| 14.3 | Return the handle to OFF |
| 14.4 | Move
the automatic brake valve to FIRST APPLICATION, check that the brake pipe
pressure falls to 63-65 p.s.i. and the vacuum falls to 16-19 in. Hg. |
| 14.5 | Move
the automatic brake valve in steps to FULL SERVICE. Check that the brake pipe
pressure falls to 44-48 p.s.i. and that
the brake cylinder pressure rises with each step until it attains a
maximum at FULL SERVICE. Check that the vacuum is reduced to zero at FULL SERVICE. |
| 14.6 | Move
the automatic brake valve to EMERGENCY, check that the brake pipe pressure falls
to zero and that the brake cylinder |
| 14.7 | Move
the automatic brake valve to RUNNING and allow the brake pipe pressure to
stabilise at 72.5 p.s.i. (5 bar) and |
| 14.8 | Move
the automatic brake valve to RELEASE and hold it there until the brake pipe
pressure rises to approximately 76 p.s.i. |
| IMPORTANT: The
handle must be held at RELEASE for one minute after the brake continuity test
when attaching to an air-braked train, irrespective of the fact that the gauge
reads 76 p.s.i. in a shorter period. These circumstances must not be confused,
otherwise dragging brakes may result. |
|
| 14.9 | Allow
the handle to move back to RUNNING, check that the brake pipe pressure does not
reduce to 72.5 p.s.i. (5 bar) quickly |
| 14.10 | Move the reversing
handle to FORWARD, and without the D S D peddle depressed, check that the brake
pipe pressure |
| 14.11 | Return the reversing handle to E.O. |
| 14.12 |
Switch on the
appropriate headlight or train route indicator (unless changing ends). |
|
The
locomotive is now ready for service
(unless you are changing ends). |
|
|
(15) Changing ends |
|
| 15.1 | Move
the automatic brake valve to EMERGENCY and wait until the brake pipe pressure
drops to zero. When applicable allow |
| 15.2 | Move the reversing handle to OFF and remove the master key |
| 15.3 | Move the straight air brake valve to OFF and release the handbrake |
| 15.4 | Move the AWS change end switch to OFF |
| 15.5 | Switch
the tail lights ON and switch OFF the headlight or train route indicator, as
appropriate. |
| 15.6 | Switch
off the cooker, cab heaters, cab lights and leave the cab with all windows and
doors closed. |
| 15.7 | Proceed to the other cab |
| 15.8 | Select AIR or VACUUM and GOODS or PASSENGER as necessary |
| 15.9 | Switch
on the headlight or train route indicator, as appropriate. |
| 15.10 | Move the straight air brake valve to on, release the handbrake and release the chamber side vacuum when applicable |
| 15.11 | Move the automatic brake valve to RUNNING |
| 15.12 | Move the AWS change end switch to ON and press the reset button to silence the horn |
| 15.13 | Insert the master
key and select direction E.O. |
|
The
locomotive is now ready for service. |
|
| 1 | Move the automatic brake valve to EMERGENCY and allow the brake pipe pressure to fall to zero |
| 2 | Apply the handbrake |
| 3 | Move the automatic brake valve to SHUT DOWN. |
| 4 | Move the AWS change end switch to OFF |
| 5 | Operate the vacuum release button, if vacuum has been used |
| 6 | Move the reversing handle to OFF and remove the master key |
| 7 | Proceed through the locomotive to the non-driving cab, check for obvious
defects and check that the lubrication oil pressure |
| 8 | Operate the air release valve to release all control air from the
distributor. |
| 9 | Enter the other cab and apply the handbrake. |
| 10 | Insert the master key and select a direction. Stop the engines, return the reversing handle to OFF and remove the master key |
| 11 | Switch off all cab heaters, route indicator or headlight, cooker and cab lights |
| 12 | Leave the cab ensuring all windows and doors are closed |
| 13 | Return the BIS to OFF |
| 14 | In
the driving cab switch off all cab heaters, route indicator or headlight, cooker
and cab lights. |
| 15 | Leave the cab ensuring all windows and doors are closed |
| 16 | Switch the main lighting switch to SHED |
| IMPORTANT: You must ensure that no lights are left switched on when
the locomotive is unmanned and that the battery |
|
| 17 | Ensure the locomotive is fully secure and that all cab doors are locked |