24-04-2012, 01:39 PM
From experience of the exam, study groups and signalling principles courses, I have seen that is certainly possible to learn how to roughly signal a layout and pass Mod 2 in "parrot fashion" without understanding many signalling principles. For example, you can put a block joint X metres back from a set of points, or list a load of valid assumptions and get marks without knowing why you are doing it.
On the contrary from signalling to metro or mainline, I think doing a ERTMS/CBTC example would be very difficult. I assume the only way to pass it would be to give a system architecture and mark up the limited trackside components - I would imagine most of the marks would be in explaining all the safe principles which takes you into the realms of Mod 3.
Like PJW says, if you want to just pass an exam, Mod 2 has the study material there for you to follow in metro and mainline. With ERTMS/CBTC you will have nothing to hide behind...
On the contrary from signalling to metro or mainline, I think doing a ERTMS/CBTC example would be very difficult. I assume the only way to pass it would be to give a system architecture and mark up the limited trackside components - I would imagine most of the marks would be in explaining all the safe principles which takes you into the realms of Mod 3.
Like PJW says, if you want to just pass an exam, Mod 2 has the study material there for you to follow in metro and mainline. With ERTMS/CBTC you will have nothing to hide behind...