https://irse.signalpost.org/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:14:42 +0000 MyBB https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2188 Mon, 10 Apr 2017 18:39:42 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2188 Perhaps not totally unexpected but a huge shock none-the-less. 
I'll always remember him as extremely determined but also very polite, considerate and conscientious.
He'll be missed here, in India and indeed even more widely around the world.]]> Perhaps not totally unexpected but a huge shock none-the-less. 
I'll always remember him as extremely determined but also very polite, considerate and conscientious.
He'll be missed here, in India and indeed even more widely around the world.]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2187 Mon, 10 Apr 2017 18:39:34 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=2187 Perhaps not totally unexpected but a huge shock none-the-less. 
I'll always remember him as extremely determined but also very polite, considerate and conscientious.
He'll be missed here, in India and indeed even more widely around the world.]]> Perhaps not totally unexpected but a huge shock none-the-less. 
I'll always remember him as extremely determined but also very polite, considerate and conscientious.
He'll be missed here, in India and indeed even more widely around the world.]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=215 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:42:12 +0000 nicklawford]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=215
I guess I might be accused of pedantics in extremis with this question - but there are international standards. This subject came up today at work while peer checking a colleagues document.

How far would an IRSE examiner be looking at details like correct use of symbols? A knowledge of relevant standards is part of the syllabus - in answering say a question that requires a calculation of quantities of units, is an examiner looking for correct use of ISO 31-0 as well as the maths and physics e.g.

160km/h 160 kmh 160 KM/H 160 Km/hr are all not correct

160 kph is in common usage but formally incorrect

160 km/h correct


I would hope an examiner would be rather more interested in the candidates answers to the signalling elements - but is it possible that the one mark that makes a difference between a pass or fail lies in getting this right ?


I am also doing this partly tongue in cheek as I have seen such errors in the IRSE exam *question* papers - although I don't suppose pointing that out in an exam answer would be particularly productive unless there were a real anomaly.


I am generally loathe to refer to wikipedia but there is an overview of all this at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_31-0


I also refer to this useful site:

http://www.unc.edu/%7Erowlett/units/index.html

for general help on just about anything to do with units and symbols and conversion factors.




--
Nick]]>
I guess I might be accused of pedantics in extremis with this question - but there are international standards. This subject came up today at work while peer checking a colleagues document.

How far would an IRSE examiner be looking at details like correct use of symbols? A knowledge of relevant standards is part of the syllabus - in answering say a question that requires a calculation of quantities of units, is an examiner looking for correct use of ISO 31-0 as well as the maths and physics e.g.

160km/h 160 kmh 160 KM/H 160 Km/hr are all not correct

160 kph is in common usage but formally incorrect

160 km/h correct


I would hope an examiner would be rather more interested in the candidates answers to the signalling elements - but is it possible that the one mark that makes a difference between a pass or fail lies in getting this right ?


I am also doing this partly tongue in cheek as I have seen such errors in the IRSE exam *question* papers - although I don't suppose pointing that out in an exam answer would be particularly productive unless there were a real anomaly.


I am generally loathe to refer to wikipedia but there is an overview of all this at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_31-0


I also refer to this useful site:

http://www.unc.edu/%7Erowlett/units/index.html

for general help on just about anything to do with units and symbols and conversion factors.




--
Nick]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=35 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:50:36 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=35
It does take time to assimilate the various elements of signalling when joining the industry; it is easier if your employer arranges a wide ranging training programme or you have someone to learn from.

I understand that the Central Queensland University in Australia provides a course (which looks to be partly / mainly distance learning and can be for non Australian students) that is certainly accepted as an alternative to at least some of the IRSE modules, definitely including module 2. Les Brearley from Ansaldo is certainly one of the people involved (and indeed reviewed my draft mod2 Study Pack for me)- there was a reference to them looking for tutors in March 2008 IRSE News so it sounds as if it is thriving. Other than his own email address I have no contact, but a Google search soon found:
http://content.cqu.edu.au/Handbook/progr...&code=CF67

Which is the easiest module does depend on what your day-job is. However module 1 is very hard to do without wide ranging experience- modules 2 and 3 are much easier to pick up from book study.

We are hoping that this website will gradually build up a suite of attempted answers and comments upon them; this does require some "students" to get down to work of course!]]>
It does take time to assimilate the various elements of signalling when joining the industry; it is easier if your employer arranges a wide ranging training programme or you have someone to learn from.

I understand that the Central Queensland University in Australia provides a course (which looks to be partly / mainly distance learning and can be for non Australian students) that is certainly accepted as an alternative to at least some of the IRSE modules, definitely including module 2. Les Brearley from Ansaldo is certainly one of the people involved (and indeed reviewed my draft mod2 Study Pack for me)- there was a reference to them looking for tutors in March 2008 IRSE News so it sounds as if it is thriving. Other than his own email address I have no contact, but a Google search soon found:
http://content.cqu.edu.au/Handbook/progr...&code=CF67

Which is the easiest module does depend on what your day-job is. However module 1 is very hard to do without wide ranging experience- modules 2 and 3 are much easier to pick up from book study.

We are hoping that this website will gradually build up a suite of attempted answers and comments upon them; this does require some "students" to get down to work of course!]]>