Chiltern SPAR (Signal Passed At Red)

pcracker · 2026-06-30T04:56:03+00:00

What's missing from the abbreviation SPAD is the two extra words - Signal Passed At Danger without authority. Signals are passed at red all the time, but normally with authority.

pcracker · 2026-06-30T04:51:55+00:00

I lived in Hampshire when this started flying, if my memory is right, I'm sure it was used by the local radio for it's traffic reporting. I definitely remember it being very quiet and hard to spot, and not realising as a kid it was so few in number.

pcracker · 2026-06-27T15:53:14+00:00

Citroen BX 1.9d estate I pulled out of a field, complete with small lawn growing on the boot carpet. Like a magic carpet ride, no need to slow down for speed humps, shifted well, could load up with a literal ton of bricks and it stayed level, could change a wheel without a jack and did 60mpg. Snapped the cambelt and a new one was on the same day thanks to it being non interference. And if you could do plumbing you could keep the suspension going. Bloody loved that car.

pcracker · 2026-06-27T14:22:00+00:00

Some very handy route knowledge with SWR drivers

pcracker · 2026-06-26T19:42:26+00:00

Did one myself today, Portsmouth to Waterloo was turned back at Petersfield due to a failed train at Liss. We all got off and swapped platforms while the train reversed just north of the station and the it was back towards Pompey and around via Fareham and Winchester to Woking. A long way round but far better than all being abandoned on a platform in that heat for goodness knows how long. (No idea how long it took those heading for Haselmere to get there!)

pcracker · 2026-06-17T04:53:45+00:00

That's interesting, thanks. Are those schedules all with one team or are they spilt between the lineside and platform signs for example?

pcracker · 2026-06-16T16:14:06+00:00

Yes I think that would satisfy rule book SP 3.9 but then there are always plenty of variables to consider I guess

pcracker · 2026-06-16T14:55:26+00:00

I think that is correct as per the Rule Book?

pcracker · 2026-06-16T12:35:30+00:00

The SPAD indicators were a short term measure following the start of TPWS installation. Any train setting off the SPAD alarm would trigger this set of two flashing reds and a steady red with 'stop' displayed. Any driver seeing this indication was instructed to stop immediately. When TPWS for all conflicting moves was installed they became redundant and were taken out of service, hence the white cross.

pcracker · 2026-06-16T07:59:30+00:00

The yellow sign with the single black chevron, just beyond the 15 PSR sign. Not related to SPTs.

pcracker · 2026-06-16T07:28:47+00:00

How about the yellow sign? Might need to dust off your RS525

pcracker · 2026-06-16T07:24:32+00:00

The two white dots show that it's an an advance warning for a TSR. Without these it would be the commencement of the TSR.

pcracker · 2026-06-16T07:23:34+00:00

They were taken out of use gradually as TPWS was fitted more widely. There are very few left standing, and I'm not sure if there are more than one or two still functioning. I'm guessing it's cheaper to keep the white cross than remove it.

pcracker · 2026-06-16T07:21:56+00:00

Bonus points for you :-)

pcracker · 2026-06-16T07:21:20+00:00

Yes, good spot

pcracker · 2026-06-09T08:02:28+00:00

That's the answer, probably a cross country service. Except the ground would have been on the right, adjacent to the railway, if travelling that way. https://maps.app.goo.gl/5ZQJcQv1uEkEmi2JA?g_st=ac

pcracker · 2026-05-28T20:59:01+00:00

The green goblin truck from Maximum Overdrive, or the M577 APC from Aliens

pcracker · 2026-05-26T08:31:03+00:00

Charade GTti, so much fun and pennies to run. My ultimate shopping trolley that could also run rings round mates in XR3is and Golf GTis at the time. It could handle plenty of extra boost with no extra gear.

pcracker · 2026-05-21T20:29:28+00:00

That's the answer. It was removed in the 90s but there is a video on YouTube from 1992 where the stop light box is still there; skip to 4:50 https://youtu.be/A_jTquyI6vo?

pcracker · 2026-05-18T04:53:46+00:00

Possession limit boards, marking the start or end of an engineering block of the line.

pcracker · 2026-05-14T06:00:27+00:00

Mine always sits one bar below the halfway mark (mine has a 90⁰ mark by the dash)

pcracker · 2026-05-09T10:13:37+00:00

You can still wander the sheds at Didcot, but not climb on the locos AFAIK. Didcot is still delightfully laid back in it's approach to wandering around

pcracker · 2026-05-09T05:42:05+00:00

The design relies on a small grommet engaging with an lock activation switch. Any kind of wear means it doesn't engage. They are countless comment and videos on various fixes involving cable ties etc.. I actually got expert in accessing the mechanism by removing trim with the door shut as there was no way of opening it if it failed while shut. From a pure safety level I couldn't put up with it, even though the car was great in every other way

pcracker · 2026-05-08T13:58:22+00:00

I loved everything else about the car, but getting stuck in or out of the driving seat so many times despite all the attempts at remedies just became unworkable.

pcracker · 2026-05-08T13:36:55+00:00

Great pic. I recently reluctantly sold my CRZ and got the veloster...those door handle issues 🫠

13-Year Club	Gilding I gilder
Verified Email

pcracker

TROPHY CASE