Why do British trains have buffers?

The hooks and chain hold the carriages together, while the buffers keep the carriages from banging into each other so that no damage is caused. The buffers can be “dumb” or spring-loaded. That means there are no run-in forces on the coupler.

Why do trains sound their horns at night?

At many level crossings, one of the traditional forms of safety protection is the sounding of train horns. Train Drivers sound their horns when they pass a “whistle board” sign on the approach to a level crossing and this provides users with an understanding of whether or not it is safe for them to cross the railway.

Why does the bell ring on a train?

The bell is usually used as a general warning that “the train is moving.” An engineer will ring the bell before a train starts moving at a station, so that any railroad workers nearby know that the train is starting to move. As a conductor, I hear the bell and know the train about to start moving, right now.

What is SLR in train coach?

Seating-cum-Luggage Rake
SLR coach on a train stands for Seating-cum-Luggage Rake. There are two SLR coaches in a train – the first one is next to the engine and the second one is at the end of the train. The compartments are divided into two sections – one for sitting (currently for differently-abled person) and another for luggage.

What happens to trains at the end of the line?

The train continues – running empty stock – around the loop and runs into another platform at the same station. Here passengers join the train, operating as a new service to return along the line. At other terminal stations, the locomotive is detached from the rolling stock.

Why do train drivers honk?

Sounding the horn is a safety requirement to notify people of a train approaching a level crossing. At the discretion of the driver, the horn is also sounded when there is a person or animal near the tracks to warn them of the train approaching.

Why do trams use bells?

Drivers ring the bell when it’s appropriate to sound it for very important safety reasons. This includes busy junctions, when pulling away from tram stops and when the driver thinks that a nearby pedestrian may not be aware of the presence of the tram.