What to study?

[mark bedford]

Not sure what to study for this module. A broad syllabus, as per all modules, CDs not yet issued, only 2008 questions to practice with. Some guidance would be appreciated. Notice someone listed the operation some circuits listing each function of operation, seems too specific but I guess circuitry design as per RT/E/C/11600 would be more appropriate.

Mark

[PJW]

Not sure what to study for this module. A broad syllabus, as per all modules, CDs not yet issued, only 2008 questions to practice with. Some guidance would be appreciated. Notice someone listed the operation some circuits listing each function of operation, seems too specific but I guess circuitry design as per RT/E/C/11600 would be more appropriate.

Mark

Disappointed to hear the DVD not yet out; if it isn't in the next few weeks then I'll collar the appropriate people at the IRSE Convention. Examiners criticise students for not studying early enough and to my mind there is therefore the onus on the IRSE to facilitate this; recognise hard for a student to be openly critical but I can perhaps jog consciences!

I think you are right that circuit detail is rarely asked for (but that doesn't mean that not useful to have a good system understanding). It is a broad sylaabus but if you regarded that the meat of the paper tends to be about trackside equipment and generally from the viewpoint of a maintainer or a "Mod 4" (= Points / Tracks / Signals) tester then you won't be far adrift. However it is an IRSE Exam so remeber that more of the questions will need you to know WHY the testing specification requires you to do something at a certain frequency or in a certain manner than actually the detail of WHAT needs to be done and the precise values that are expected.

The track circuit calculation question isn't 100% guaranteed, but I don't recall a year in the last 15+ in which it hasn't come up.

Virtually guaranteed at least one question on point detection, point operation, signals, level crossings but there are other questions that look at the broader topic of "Application Engineering" so may be more of a "design office" rather than "trackside approach"; I generally think that about 2/3rds is of the latter though. Tend to have several questions slanted to relatively recent introductions / changes etc- so LED signals, axle counters, in bearer switch machines have all featured in recent years.

Keep your ears and eyes open in the real world and via IRSE News and technical meetings- topics this year may perhaps include: Staff Lockouts, NR's recent changes to point detection standards (TI038), axle counter reset-restore functionality, Robust Train Protection, power distribution and how to mix different standards (e.g. the shocking potential at East Midland Control Centre) and perhaps the application of TORR to historic relay interlockings.

Not sure if you have registered for the GM Rail day yet (Andy Witton dealing with that) but there is a selection of questions identified for a form of mock paper prior to that event.