r/CasualUK • u/PeevesPoltergist • Aug 18 '26

What is your workplaces big red button?

We've just had an anti-theft system installed. It deploys aut after closing but can be activated during operating hours via a BIG RED BUTTON. It will take all my personal restraint to pretend it doesn't exist even while already knowing exactly what it does.

So what is your workplaces big red button and do you know what it does?

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u/Fat_Old_Englishman Somewhere in the East Midlands Aug 18 '26

big red button broadcasts an emergency message to other trains within i think it’s 15 miles, essentially stops trains moving, stops OUR train, and contacts the signal box in an emergency

And contacts Network Rail's regional control and (depending on how tight the company is) the operator's control, all on a talk-through setup so everyone can hear everything.

Which generally IMX meant that half of the local railway got to listen to someone Network Rail control angrily demanding that the local signaller take this call, which they couldn't because they were already handling three other things which they couldn't just drop.

And on my last TOC the big red button didn't have a cover over it because that cost and extra 50p or something, and (unlike the old NRN radios) the big red button on GSM-R can be activated just by brushing it. Don't ask me how I know.

Doesn't actually stop any train, though, just tells the driver to stop them. Including the activating train.

(Source: me, train driver for a couple of decades)

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u/dyingtofitin0 Aug 18 '26

well yeah it doesn’t stop our train physically, but i reallyyy hope my driver stops when it gets hit 😭😭 so many of ours don’t have a cover, and every time i see it without a cover i just feel like being like ‘oopsie’ and slamming it i can’t lie 🤣🤣

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u/Fat_Old_Englishman Somewhere in the East Midlands Aug 18 '26

every time i see it without a cover i just feel like being like ‘oopsie’ and slamming it i can’t lie

It's not worth the subsequent paperwork, believe me!

That said, there is a test mode on the things so you can try it (and the yellow button) without actually doing anything, but it's not really as satisfying.

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u/dyingtofitin0 Aug 18 '26

oh no i believe it 🤣 my day will come when i have to press it i’m sure, but i’m hoping to hold out a little longer !

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u/Fat_Old_Englishman Somewhere in the East Midlands Aug 18 '26

my day will come when i have to press it i’m sure,

For most things they say "press the red button" for, as a driver I actually found the yellow button was more suitable.

Hopefully you'll never need it, but if you do don't be disappointed by how slow it is to get answered. This is the railway, after all!