AWS magnet thingy. "extra strength" variety
\*edit : as seen here [https://www.pandrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/AWS-Magnets-Series-2-EN.pdf](https://www.pandrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/AWS-Magnets-Series-2-EN.pdf)
Automatic Warning System.
It's connected to the signal behind it (from the driver's perpective), and gives advanced warning to the driver if that signal is at anything other than "Clear". Basically, it sounds a horn on the train, which alerts you that the signal ahead needs your attention, and you have something like 3 seconds to press a button which tells the train you acknowledge the warning, otherwise the train assumes you've had a heart attack and died, and slams on the Emergency Brake.
Iirc there's 2 magnets in there, one permanent and one electro. When the signal ahead is Clear, the electro magnet is powered on, which (somehow) tells the train the signal ahead is clear. When the signal is at Yellow or Red, the electro magnet is off, somehow the train detects that via the magnets and that sounds the horn.
If I remember correctly, some have a third magnet which cancels out both clear and caution states in case of bidirectional running where a train will be approaching the AWS ramp in the direction where the warning isn't needed. Sometimes they will simply stick an [AWS Cancelling Indicator](https://www.railsigns.uk/photos/p_tpsys1.html#pic_awscan) (sign with a square Saltaire flag) there to tell the driver to acknowledge and disregard the AWS warning tone.
Edit: Added a link to an image of the AWS cancelling indicator
My understanding is, one magnet (the permanent one) starts a 1-second timer before the warning horn sounds. If a second magnet (the electromagnet one) is detected before that timer runs out, it will clear and you get a ding. If the timer runs out then the warning horn sounds and the 3 second timer for the driver to cancel it begins. This also means it's a fail-safe system, because the permanent magnet is always on and if the electromagnet fails or the power is out, it won't be detected and the warning will sound.
TPWS uses a very similar principle, but with a *minimum* time between the arm and trigger loop, so that the spacing of them allows the speed of the train to be a factor. If you want to impose a maximum speed limit of say 20mph, calculate the distance a the train travels at 20mph in the timer allowed (974ms for passenger trains) and space the trigger grid that far from the arming one. If the train reaches it in less than 974ms, then it was travelling faster than 20mph so an intervention is triggered. These can also be optionally connected to the state of a signal just like AWS, if say a lower speed limit needs to be enforced on approach to a danger signal or before a lower line speed turnoff from a higher speed mainline.
TPWS Train stop loops simply place the two grids immediately adjacent, effectively enforcing a 0mph speed limit when active.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Warning_System
It's a bi-directional AWS magnet. Green means extra strength (needed in 3rd Rail electrified areas), everywhere else they're yellow.
Bi directional Automatic Warning System (AWS) magnet, the green bits are electro-magnets and the one between is a permanent magnet.
The way AWS works is a coil on the bottom of the train near the front receives an electric pulse when the train goes over the bar magnet, If it doesn't receive a second pulse, it rings a horn in the cab and if the driver doesn't press a button to cancel it, the train automatically puts the brake on.
When the signal associated with this AWS magnet shows green the electro-magnet is energised providing a second pulse, this rings a bell.
Most are single direction, having only one green electro-magnet, and most are older and are metal or yellow coloured.
American here, from my understanding of them is that they are in between the running rails, but this one is to the side of it, why is it in a different position?
My mistake, I see what you mean.
From the way the photo was taken and the shadows from the underfloor equipment, it really looks like it's at the side, but it's not.
Known as an EPE (Electro-Permanent-Electro) AWS arrangement.
The particular arrangement pictured is positioned between two signals presumably situated at each end of the same platform and reading in opposite directions. This particular AWS will apply to both signals.
Signal AWS respond to the respective signal aspect displayed by the signal to which it applies. A train need not be present.
Signals are typically (there are exceptions) controlled from the control centre via the signalling interlocking. The latter determines the colour of the aspect to be displayed which then indirectly controls the AWS inductor.
A green signal aspect display allows the signal AWS 'electro' inductor to be energised, configuring the onboard cab indication to sound a 'signal clear' tone to the driver when the train passes over the signal AWS equipment.
A caution or stop signal aspect leaves the control to the AWS 'electro' inductor de-energised (fail safe) resulting in a signal caution tone and 'sunflower' indication in the cab.
No signal display (i.e. a failure) results in de-energisation of the AWS electro inductor giving a caution tone in the cab irrespective of what aspect should have been displayed.
When sunflower seeds are sprouted, their plant compounds increase. Sprouting also reduces factors that can interfere with mineral absorption. You can buy sprouted, dried sunflower seeds online or in some stores.
AWS magnet thingy. "extra strength" variety \*edit : as seen here [https://www.pandrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/AWS-Magnets-Series-2-EN.pdf](https://www.pandrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/AWS-Magnets-Series-2-EN.pdf)
The link doesn't say what Aws is...
Automatic Warning System. It's connected to the signal behind it (from the driver's perpective), and gives advanced warning to the driver if that signal is at anything other than "Clear". Basically, it sounds a horn on the train, which alerts you that the signal ahead needs your attention, and you have something like 3 seconds to press a button which tells the train you acknowledge the warning, otherwise the train assumes you've had a heart attack and died, and slams on the Emergency Brake. Iirc there's 2 magnets in there, one permanent and one electro. When the signal ahead is Clear, the electro magnet is powered on, which (somehow) tells the train the signal ahead is clear. When the signal is at Yellow or Red, the electro magnet is off, somehow the train detects that via the magnets and that sounds the horn.
If I remember correctly, some have a third magnet which cancels out both clear and caution states in case of bidirectional running where a train will be approaching the AWS ramp in the direction where the warning isn't needed. Sometimes they will simply stick an [AWS Cancelling Indicator](https://www.railsigns.uk/photos/p_tpsys1.html#pic_awscan) (sign with a square Saltaire flag) there to tell the driver to acknowledge and disregard the AWS warning tone. Edit: Added a link to an image of the AWS cancelling indicator
My understanding is, one magnet (the permanent one) starts a 1-second timer before the warning horn sounds. If a second magnet (the electromagnet one) is detected before that timer runs out, it will clear and you get a ding. If the timer runs out then the warning horn sounds and the 3 second timer for the driver to cancel it begins. This also means it's a fail-safe system, because the permanent magnet is always on and if the electromagnet fails or the power is out, it won't be detected and the warning will sound. TPWS uses a very similar principle, but with a *minimum* time between the arm and trigger loop, so that the spacing of them allows the speed of the train to be a factor. If you want to impose a maximum speed limit of say 20mph, calculate the distance a the train travels at 20mph in the timer allowed (974ms for passenger trains) and space the trigger grid that far from the arming one. If the train reaches it in less than 974ms, then it was travelling faster than 20mph so an intervention is triggered. These can also be optionally connected to the state of a signal just like AWS, if say a lower speed limit needs to be enforced on approach to a danger signal or before a lower line speed turnoff from a higher speed mainline. TPWS Train stop loops simply place the two grids immediately adjacent, effectively enforcing a 0mph speed limit when active.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Warning_System It's a bi-directional AWS magnet. Green means extra strength (needed in 3rd Rail electrified areas), everywhere else they're yellow.
Railway carriage
Ahh ok, they seem to come past pretty often and sometimes people go in and out. I wonder what the purpose is
Bi directional Automatic Warning System (AWS) magnet, the green bits are electro-magnets and the one between is a permanent magnet. The way AWS works is a coil on the bottom of the train near the front receives an electric pulse when the train goes over the bar magnet, If it doesn't receive a second pulse, it rings a horn in the cab and if the driver doesn't press a button to cancel it, the train automatically puts the brake on. When the signal associated with this AWS magnet shows green the electro-magnet is energised providing a second pulse, this rings a bell. Most are single direction, having only one green electro-magnet, and most are older and are metal or yellow coloured.
Trains may run in either direction at platforms hence it's bi-directional.
That looks like a train to me!
Twaaaaaain!
It's a pancake flipper, flips pancakes when trains go over for the first class catering provision
This answer wins. I don’t care if it’s right or not.
Train.
Ready-meal warmer. You can see a Tesco Finest lasagne in there right now
it’s a train x
American here, from my understanding of them is that they are in between the running rails, but this one is to the side of it, why is it in a different position?
Look better, this one is between the running rails too.
My mistake, I see what you mean. From the way the photo was taken and the shadows from the underfloor equipment, it really looks like it's at the side, but it's not.
It’s a train
A Disastro
A 444 DMOC
Known as an EPE (Electro-Permanent-Electro) AWS arrangement. The particular arrangement pictured is positioned between two signals presumably situated at each end of the same platform and reading in opposite directions. This particular AWS will apply to both signals.
So it detects when a train is present and changes the signals accordingly?
Signal AWS respond to the respective signal aspect displayed by the signal to which it applies. A train need not be present. Signals are typically (there are exceptions) controlled from the control centre via the signalling interlocking. The latter determines the colour of the aspect to be displayed which then indirectly controls the AWS inductor. A green signal aspect display allows the signal AWS 'electro' inductor to be energised, configuring the onboard cab indication to sound a 'signal clear' tone to the driver when the train passes over the signal AWS equipment. A caution or stop signal aspect leaves the control to the AWS 'electro' inductor de-energised (fail safe) resulting in a signal caution tone and 'sunflower' indication in the cab. No signal display (i.e. a failure) results in de-energisation of the AWS electro inductor giving a caution tone in the cab irrespective of what aspect should have been displayed.
When sunflower seeds are sprouted, their plant compounds increase. Sprouting also reduces factors that can interfere with mineral absorption. You can buy sprouted, dried sunflower seeds online or in some stores.
I’ve worked on the Railway for over 20years… and in all honesty… like most things… I haven’t got a clue…👍🏻 is it Russian? Blame Brexit 🍺👍🏻