What is VTO? What action to be taken by Station Master when VTO is not visible? (G.R & S.R. 3.61)
‗Visibility Test Object‘ (VTO) may be a light of a colour light signal or VTP, whichever is nominated, as per special instructions.
It shall be mentioned in SWR.
Where VTO cannot be nominated, due to the station being on a curve or no signals etc.; a separate post shall be erected for this purpose called ‗Visibility Test Post‘ (VTP).
It is a post painted with self-luminous yellow/self-luminous yellow strips, fixed in the ground at 180 meters in MAS from the nominated place where SM stands.
If VTO is not visible to the SM:
- ✓
Where signals (including VTP) are not visible due to thick, foggy, or tempestuous weather, inclement weather or dust storm etc.; SM shall arrange fog signaling.
- ✓
Detonator has to be placed only in the single Distant area.
- ✓
If fog safety device has been provided in the loco and station has been notified by the Divisional authorities, placing of detonators is not required even though in single distant area also.
- ✓
SM shall send 1 fog signal man in each direction with 20 detonators.
- ✓
Fog signal men are 4 (two from traffic and two from engineering).
- ✓
Fog signal men shall keep two detonators at FSP, 10 meters apart and stand at a safe distance of 45 meters.
‗Fog signal post‘ is a steel sleeper fixed vertically, painted alternately with black and yellow self luminous yellow paint/self luminous black & yellow strips, fixed in the ground at 270 meters in rear of the First Stop signal (outside).
During thick, foggy, or inclement weather or dust storm etc., SM may grant line clear to any train after getting information that fog signals are placed or after a lapse of 30 minutes from the departure time of fog signal man from station.
SM shall update station detonator register.
There shall not be VTO/VTP in double distant areas.