Basic Signalling Part4
Basic Signalling Part4
Interlocking
Table of Contents
Interlocking
• Objectives 3
• Course Content 4
• Types of Signalling 6
• Absolute Block 17
• Permissive Block 27
• Track Circuit Block 33
• Interlocking 35
• Route Interlocking 48
• List of Routes 63
Page 2
Basic Railway Signalling
Objectives
Page 3
Basic Railway Signalling
Course Content
Page 4
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
INTERLOCKING
Types of signalling
• Absolute block
• Permissive block
• Track circuit block
Interlocking
• Route interlocking
• Lists of routes
Page 5
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
TYPES OF SIGNALLING
There are a lot of different types of railway transportation.
Type Use Speed Distance No. of Service Competition
Passengers Freq.
People Mover Airports 30 kph Short Up to 30 3 min Walk
LRT In city, on roads 80 kph Short Up to 150 5 min Car, Bus & Taxi
Metro In city, elevated or 80 kph Short Up to 500 5 min Car, Bus & Taxi
underground
Suburban City to suburbs 140 kph Medium Up to 300 8 min Car & Bus
Freight All 40 kph All None 120 min Truck
Rural Medium distance 140 kph Medium Up to 500 30 min Car & Bus
High-Speed Long distance 200 kph Long Up to 1000 60 min Car, Bus & Plane
Page 6
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Light Rail
< 20,000 passengers/hour
Heavy Rail
> 20,000 passengers/hour
Page 9
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 10
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 11
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
VEHICLE CHARACTERISTIC:
The signalling system is dependant on
the distance required by a train,
travelling at maximum speed, to stop.
This depends on:
• Maximum speed
• Gradient of line
• Braking rate
• Loading
• State of braking equipment
• Drivers reaction time
• Environmental conditions
Page 12
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
TRAIN
SPEED
BRAKING CURVE
DISTANCE
Page 13
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 14
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 15
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 16
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
ABSOLUTE BLOCK
Absolute Block maintains a safe separation distance between following
trains. Single lines must do the same, but additionally need to protect against
head-on collisions.
A
WARNER HOME
B
STARTER WARNER HOME STARTER
Up
Page 18
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
A
B
WARNER HOME STARTER WARNER OUTER HOME INNER HOME STARTER
Up
OVERLAP
Page 19
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
The Interstation Block can be defined as from the Starter Signal of one
Station to the Overlap of the Home Signal at the adjacent station.
The diagram below depicts an Absolute Block.
STARTER SIGNAL -
HOME SIGNAL - EXIT
ENTRY
Page 20
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Wooden Staff
Page 21
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Staff and Ticket allows following trains to enter without having to wait for the
first to return.
All but the last train in the same direction are given a ticket, having been
shown the staff first. The last train carries the staff to the other end.
Absolute Block working must still be used.
New Junction Railway
TRAIN STAFF TICKET
Class 1 train from Plymouth
To the engine driver
You are authorised, after seeing the
train staff, to PROCEED from
AFAN to BALLARD
And the train staff will follow
Date Signed .
Page 22
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
3
UP 4
The UP train has authority to enter the single line section as his Starter
Signal No 3 shows ‘proceed’. Interlocking ensures that Starter Signals 1,
2 and 4 show ‘stop’, they are inhibited from showing ‘proceed’.
Page 24
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Once it has been proved that the train has arrived at the other end, the block
is free and another train can enter.
DOWN
1
3
UP 4
Page 25
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
PERMISSIVE BLOCK
On freight lines and non-
passenger moves only, it can
sometimes be permitted to
have >1 train in a section.
The first train enters as per
absolute block working.
Second and subsequent trains
enter under ‘drive-on-sight’.
They will be given a special
indication to warn them of this.
Page 27
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 28
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 29
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 30
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
A Permissive Block is where more than ONE Train is permitted to enter the
section between stations.
This is characterized by having Intermediate Block Signals as shown below.
The Intermediate Block conditions must be met for the 2nd train to enter.
Page 31
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 32
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
A
WARNER HOME
B
STARTER WARNER HOME STARTER
Up
BERTH TRACK CIRCUIT
Down
STARTER
STARTER HOME WARNER HOME WARNER
Page 33
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
It was soon realised that a track circuit could be used to prove that the
whole of a block section was clear.
Signalman ‘A’ does not now require ‘Line Clear’ authority from Signalman ‘B’
for a train to enter the block section, as the track circuit was used to prove it
clear instead. Station limits Block section Station limits
A
WARNER HOME
B
STARTER WARNER HOME STARTER
Up
SECTION TRACK CIRCUIT
Down
STARTER
STARTER HOME WARNER HOME WARNER
Page 34
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 36
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 37
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 38
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 39
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 40
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 41
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 42
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 43
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
O: Outer
• HSDOAR: high street down outer approach relay
P: Repeat, Power
• 27TP, 27 track relay repeat
• 23PB, 23 (signal) push button
• POJR, power off timing relay
Page 44
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
R: Red, Relay
• 27RGE, 27 red signal lamp
• RB, relay positive: RN, relay negative
• 27RECR, 27 (signal) red lamp checking relay
S: Stick
• 27TSR, 27 track stick relay
T: Track
• 14ATR, 14A track relay
• TB, track positive: TN, track negative
Page 45
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 46
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 47
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
ROUTE INTERLOCKING
To Set a Route:
• All points correctly set OR free to move
• No conflicting routes set
To Clear a Controlled Signal for a main route:
• Route set
• All points detected and locked in position – or free to move for swinging
overlap
• All track circuits clear – including overlap
• Route approach released if applicable
• Signal ahead lit.
Page 48
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
15
BA
17 19
201
AA AB AC 202 AD AE AF
Page 49
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
enter exit
Page 50
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
17 19
exit
201
AA AB AC 202 AD AE AF
enter
A method of releasing a route after the
passage of a train without further action
Train Operated Route Release (TORR) form the signalman.
Page 51
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Approach Locking
Route is cancelled!
And the another train is coming.
Second train send request to
travel from ‘15’ to ‘19’
enter
If everything is OK!!
15
BA
(route available)
Train is exit
coming! 19
17
201
AA AB AC 202 AD AE AF
enter Route
Locking!
Page 52
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Approach Locking
This problem is solved by
keeping the route locked for a
period of time.
It is possible for the system to
‘LOOK BACK’ to see if train is
15 approaching or not.
BA
17 19
201
AA AB AC 202 AD AE AF
enter exit
Page 53
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
17 19
201
AA AB AC 202 AD AE AF
enter exit
Page 54
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Approach Control
The object of approach control is to force the driver of a train to reduce speed
to a safe level for this divergence. The train consequently approaches 15 at
Red and will be slowed to stop appropriately by driver.
15
BA BB
17 19
201
AA AB AC 202 AD AE 21 AF
BC BD BE
Page 55
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Approach Control
However, when BA track is occupied the route arm and signal will clear. Even if
the driver then accelerates at the maximum possible rate, the speed of the
train will not be excessive over the reverse points.
15
BA BB
17 19
201
AA AB AC 202 AD AE 21 AF
BC BD BE
Page 56
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
The train needs to reduce its speed from 90 M/hr down to 20 M/hr over the
point so “Main Aspect Approach Controlled from Red (MAR)” will be used.
17 19
AA AB AC 200 AD AE 21 AF
BA BB
Page 57
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Signal 17 will not display a proceed aspect for 17B(M) route until the train
which is braking down to the signal has occupied AA track circuit for time. This
is denoted in the Scheme Plan Route Box with the presence of “MAR” in the
special notes section in the last box.
17 Route A 19
AA AB AC 200 AD AE 21 AF
BA BB
Route B
Page 58
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
AB occ
Page 59
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
The line speed is 65 M/hr and the turnout speed is 45 M/hr. The train is not
required to slow down as much, so we give the train driver a Yellow Aspect on
17 signal with the junction indicator alight at position 4.
15 17 19
AA AB AC AD 200 AE AF 21 AG
BA BB
Page 60
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
The junction signal will show a Yellow Aspect with the JI alight until the train
arrives on the berth track circuit AC, when it can clear to a Green aspect if 21
signal is displaying a Yellow or Green. The route box for 17B(M) will show “ZY”
in the “special notes” column at the end to denote a “Free Yellow”.
15 17 19
AA AB AC AD 200 AE AF 21 AG
BA BB
Page 61
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Approach Locking
• The electrical locking of a route to prevent a route being released in front
of an approaching train
Approach Release
• The maintaining of a signal at Red, preventing the signal clearing until it
is proved that a train has sufficiently braked for an approaching junction.
Page 62
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
LIST OF ROUTES
Depending on the layout
there will be a number of
different routes from each
signal.
Sometimes these are listed
on the scheme plan.
If not a separate ‘List of
Routes’ will be produced.
Letters or numbers identify each route from the same signal, ‘A’ or ‘1’ being
the most left-hand route, then ‘B’ or ‘2’ in a clockwise direction.
Letters in brackets identify the type of route e.g.,
• Main (M) – Main signal, route clear, full overlap available.
• Warning (W) – Main signal, route clear, full overlap not available.
• Call-on (C) – Position light (or equivalent), route occupied, no overlap
required.
• Shunt (S) – Position light (or equivalent), for shunting purposes.
• PoSA (P) – Flashing position light aspect for degraded situation –
Proceed on Sight Authority (i.e. flashing red = call-on).
Page 64
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 65
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 66
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Route Indicator
From Signal Route Number To Signal Platform
Position
1-5 A(M) or 1(M) 15 UP MAIN -
1-5 A(C) or 1(C) 15 UP MAIN -
1-5 B(M) or 2(M) 17 DN MAIN 4
1-5 B(C) or 2(C) 17 DN MAIN -
1-5 C(M) or 3(M) 19 DN LOOP 4
1-5 C(C) or 3(C) 19 DN LOOP -
Page 67
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Route Indicator
From Signal Route Number To Signal Platform
Position
1-5 A(M) or 1(M) 15 UP MAIN -
1-5 A(C) or 1(C) 15 UP MAIN -
1-5 B(M) or 2(M) 17 DN MAIN 4
1-5 B(C) or 2(C) 17 DN MAIN -
1-5 C(M) or 3(M) 19 DN LOOP 4
1-5 C(C) or 3(C) 19 DN LOOP -
Page 68
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Route Indicator
From Signal Route Number To Signal Platform
Position
3-5 A(M) or 1(M) 17 DN MAIN -
3-5 A(C) or 1(C) 17 DN MAIN -
3-5 B(M) or 2(M) 19 DN LOOP 4
3-5 B(C) or 2(C) 19 DN LOOP -
Page 69
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Route Indicator
From Signal Route Number To Signal Platform
Position
3-5 A(M) or 1(M) 17 DN MAIN -
3-5 A(C) or 1(C) 17 DN MAIN -
3-5 B(M) or 2(M) 19 DN LOOP 4
3-5 B(C) or 2(C) 19 DN LOOP -
Page 70
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 71
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Signal Route Platform To Signal RI Position Signal Route Platform To Signal RI Position
1-5 1(M) UP LOOP 31 1 3-5 1(M) UP LOOP 31 1
1(C) UP LOOP 31 - 1(C) UP LOOP 31 -
2(M) UP MAIN 15 - 2(M) UP MAIN 15 1
2(C) UP MAIN 15 - 2(C) UP MAIN 15 -
3(M) DN MAIN 17 -
3(C) DN MAIN 17 -
4(M) DN LOOP 19 4
Page 72
4(C) DN LOOP 19 -
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Signal Route Platform To Signal RI Position Signal Route Platform To Signal RI Position
1-5 1(M) UP LOOP 31 1 3-5 1(M) UP LOOP 31 1
1(C) UP LOOP 31 - 1(C) UP LOOP 31 -
2(M) UP MAIN 15 - 2(M) UP MAIN 15 1
2(C) UP MAIN 15 - 2(C) UP MAIN 15 -
3(M) DN MAIN 17 -
3(C) DN MAIN 17 -
4(M) DN LOOP 19 4
Page 73
4(C) DN LOOP 19 -
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
CONTROL TABLE
Page 74
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 75
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Signal Route Platform To Signal RI Position Signal Route Platform To Signal RI Position
2-6 1(M) UP MAIN 16 - 4-6 1(M) DN LOOP 20 1
1(C) UP MAIN 16 - 1(C) DN LOOP 20 -
2(M) UP LOOP 32 4 2(M) DN MAIN 18 -
2(C) UP LOOP 32 - 2(C) DN MAIN 18 -
3(M) UP MAIN 16 4
3(C) UP MAIN 16 -
4(M) UP LOOP 32 4
Page 76
4(C) UP LOOP 32 -
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
List of Routes
Signal Route Platform To Signal RI Position Signal Route Platform To Signal RI Position
2-6 1(M) UP MAIN 16 - 4-6 1(M) DN LOOP 20 1
1(C) UP MAIN 16 - 1(C) DN LOOP 20 -
2(M) UP LOOP 32 4 2(M) DN MAIN 18 -
2(C) UP LOOP 32 - 2(C) DN MAIN 18 -
3(M) UP MAIN 16 4
3(C) UP MAIN 16 -
4(M) UP LOOP 32 4
Page 77
4(C) UP LOOP 32 -
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
CONTROL TABLE
Page 78
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Pag
Page79
79 Restricted | © Siemens 2021 |Kamphon R. | SMO RI LCE EC TH | 2021-05-18
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Failsafe
Signalling Equipment is designed so that any failure will result in signals being
set at their most restrictive aspect.
Page 80
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Damaged Wire
R R
Page 81
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Failsafe
AB TR
AB TF
AB
Page 82
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Failsafe
A: NO! Example: A power failure to AB TR would cause AB TR to DROP. The back contact in the
DR circuit would open and the DR would PICK. The result is that the signal would revert back to
GREEN even though the line ahead was not clear of trains. This is NOT FAILSAFE.
AB TR
AB TF
AXLE
AB
Page 83
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Failsafe
A: NO! Example: A power failure to AB TR has caused AB TR to DROP. The back contact in the
DR circuit has opened and the DR has PICKED. The result is that the signal has reverted back to
GREEN even though the line ahead is not clear of trains. This is NOT FAILSAFE.
AB TR
AB TF
AXLE
CABLE FAILURE
AB
Page 84
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Failsafe
Failsafe track circuits don’t prove the presence of a train, they prove the
“ABSENCE of a Train”.
AB TR
AB TF
AB
Page 85
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
A failure that leads to, or could lead to, an accident resulting in injury or
damage.
• Example: A false proceed aspect is shown on a signal due to a failure i.e. a
green or yellow rather than red.
Page 87
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
Page 88
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
SUMMARY
A signalling system comprises track circuits, signals, points, control centre and
possibly an automatic braking system.
Service Braking Distance is the distance taken to stop for a train travelling at
maximum speed, with passengers.
Single Line Working ensures only 1 train in a section, common types are One
Train Operation, Staff and Ticket, Electric Token Block and Tokenless Block.
Permissive Block allows >1 non-passenger train to enter a block section.
Track Circuit Block uses track circuits to prove a block section clear.
Overlaps protect against a vehicle over-running a stop signal.
Page 90
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking
SUMMARY (Cont.)
Controlled Signals are usually plated as Non-Passable (Stop).
Automatic Signals are usually Passable (Proceed).
Vital, Incorrect operation may lead to personal injury or damage to property or
equipment
Non vital, Incorrect operation cannot lead to personal injury or damage to
property or equipment