New IRSE Blank formats for Control Tables

[Zaphod]

As you recognise, we are not responsible for this CT layout but we will ensure that the examiners are aware of your comments.

I think you make a valid comment re the inconsistency re train detection. However use of just "track" (in the days when axle counters were very rare) is certainly what was used. In the days before computers and ready use of photocopiers etc everything had to be written / stencilled out each and every time so brevity was everything.

Well, ok, but now we are in the days of computers and photocopiers is it a good idea to revert to what seems to be much older terminology?

Remember that IRSE is international, so the fact that don't follow current NR conventions is only to be expected. Even on NR there are a huge range of (historic) presentations utilised; I guess that I must have utilised myself something like 50. Other railways may not use CTs at all.

I didn't say that it should follow NR conventions. I was just suggesting that, as the approach locking columns look a bit like the NR SSI control table, it might be a good idea to go the whole hog and incorporate the train detection column headings from that format as well.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that presenting the approach locking conditions in this novel way is a bit strange unless it aligns with the actual practice from "somewhere"; whether that "somewhere" is NR or not is another matter!

There has been a demand for some years that IRSE come up with a standard format for people to use; they have done that. OK it may not be quite the one you'd have chosen, but take it as what it is; you have the choice either to use it or (and this has now been confirmed) draw up your own blank prior to the exam, take in to the exam all the photocopies you may need of it, get them all initialled by the invigilator and then use them. Your choice.

I am merely suggesting (what I believe to be) improvements. I don't agree with you that this is necessarily a 'take it or leave it' situation. Well I hope that's not the attitude the IRSE would take to feedback anyway.

As far as improving the CT blank, then I think that may need to wait for next year- if candidates vote by using their own or alternatively find it very much a squash then no doubt the examiners will recognise the problems posed. Similarly we can open up a discussion at the Exam Review in January.

Again, you seem to be saying that comments at this stage are not welcome by the IRSE and I'd be very disappointed if that's really the case.