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Basic Signalling Part4

This document outlines the principles of basic railway signalling, focusing on interlocking systems and various types of signalling such as absolute block, permissive block, and track circuit block. It aims to educate engineers with limited railway knowledge on the components and operations of signalling systems, including safety measures and operational procedures. The course content includes the development of railway signalling, headway calculation, and future signalling technologies.

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zentinelvolantz
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
3 views91 pages

Basic Signalling Part4

This document outlines the principles of basic railway signalling, focusing on interlocking systems and various types of signalling such as absolute block, permissive block, and track circuit block. It aims to educate engineers with limited railway knowledge on the components and operations of signalling systems, including safety measures and operational procedures. The course content includes the development of railway signalling, headway calculation, and future signalling technologies.

Uploaded by

zentinelvolantz
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Basic Railway Signalling (Part 4)

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

The aim of this course is


to provide engineers with
little or no knowledge of
railways with an
understanding of basic
railway signalling
principles.

Page 3
Basic Railway Signalling
Course Content

1. THE DEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAY SIGNALLING


2. RAILWAY SYSTEMS – THE OVERVIEW
3. THE COMPONENTS OF A SIGNALLING SYSTEM
4. INTERLOCKING
5. HEADWAY CALCULATION
6. SCHEME PLAN DESIGN
7. FUTURE SIGNALLING – ETCS

Page 4
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

INTERLOCKING

 Types of signalling
• Absolute block
• Permissive block
• Track circuit block
 Interlocking
• Route interlocking
• Lists of routes

Railway Signalling  The Signal [Link]; 24:37 mins

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

From Department of Rail Transport; [Link]


Page 7
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

From Department of Rail Transport; [Link]


Page 8
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

THE SIGNALLING SYSTEM COMPRICES:


 Signals: Give simple and clear indication to drivers.
 Track Circuits: Is used to prove the absence of a train.
 Points: Provide a facility for moving between tracks.
 Automatic Train Protection (ATP): ATP protects against driver error.
 Interlocking: Ensures safe passage of train from one block section to next.
 Control Centre: Enables trains to follow a fixed schedule.

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

 Passenger ride comfort must


be taken into account.
 When calculating the distance
required by a train to stop, the
‘Service Braking Distance’
must be used. This is the
distance taken to give
passengers a comfortable ride.
 The worst case must always be
used, e.g. a fast, heavy train
with poor braking equipment.

Page 14
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Q: How long does it take a train to brake?


A: Some typical service braking distances are:

SPEED (kph) GRADIENT BRAKING DISTANCE (m)


40 LEVEL 280
80 1.5% FALLING 1060
80 LEVEL 920
80 1.5% RISING 680
160 LEVEL 2040

Page 15
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

If we compare a Tram against a Rural Train:


PARAMETERS LRT Rural
Speed 60 kph 140 kph
Loading Light Heavy
Service Frequency 5 min 30 min
Headway’s 3 ½ min 10 min
Train Length. 60m 200m

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.

Page 17 Absolute Block.mp4 ; 4:16 mins


Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

 If a train is standing immediately in advance of a Block Section, and a


following train fails to brake sufficiently such that it runs past the protecting
home signal, a rear-end collision could occur.

Station limits Block section Station limits

A
WARNER HOME
B
STARTER WARNER HOME STARTER

Up

Page 18
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

 An additional distance, typically 200-500 m, in advance of the Block Section


must also be proved clear.
 In block working, an additional overlap track circuit is provided, so only 1
home signal is needed.

Station limits Block section Station limits

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

 One Train Operation is the simplest method.


 A train cannot enter the single line section unless in possession of a ‘staff’ or
‘token’. Only one staff exists, therefore there can only ever be one train in
the section at a time.

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
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 Token Bag and Post

Thai Railway Signalling  [Link]


Page 23
(รับ-ส่ งห่ วงทางสะดวก ข.425 ที่บุ่งหวาย; 1:19 mins)
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

 Tokenless Block does not require the driver to be in possession of a staff or


ticket to enter the single line section. Traditional fixed signals are provided
instead.
DOWN
1

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

 A method of tokenless working in Thailand does not have interlocking


between end of line starter signals but relies on a strict operating procedure.

Thai Railway Signalling  [Link]


Page 26
(ขอ-คืน ทางสะดวก; 3:17 mins)
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

 A ‘Permissive Block Instrument’


counts the number of trains in a
section.
 When all trains have left the
section, block status returns to
‘normal’.

Page 28
Basic Railway Signalling
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ABSOLUTE vs PERMISSIVE BLOCK


 An Absolute Block is where only ONE train is permitted to enter the section
between stations.
 It must exit at the receiving station completely before following train can
enter.

Page 29
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

 When the distance between Stations is sufficient, Intermediate Block


Signals are introduced to improve and increase Headway.
 This allows for more trains to operate in the same direction, therefore
generating increased revenue.
 The diagram below shows the introduction of Intermediate Block Signals.

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

 Potential scenario shown below of “maximum” number of following trains


utilizing a Permissive Block.

Page 32
Basic Railway Signalling
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TRACK CIRCUIT BLOCK


 A track circuit is a device which proves the absence of a train.
 It was initially used to aid signalman, by reminding them that a train was
standing at their Home Signal.
Station limits Block section Station limits

A
WARNER HOME
B
STARTER WARNER HOME STARTER

Up
BERTH TRACK CIRCUIT
Down

STARTER
STARTER HOME WARNER HOME WARNER

Station limits Block section Station limits

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

Station limits Block section Station limits

Page 34
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

INTERLOCKING (see more details from ARTC-SCP06 Ver.3.0)


Nomenclature Meaning of Letters (Description Term – Prefix Letter)
A. Approach: Automatic B. Block: Bolt
C. Checking or Proving: Coding D. Clear (green): Decoding
E. Light: Heat (externally applied) F. Fog
Emergency: Earth
G. Signal H. Caution
HD. Medium or Lower Yellow I. -
J. Time (delayed action) K. Indicating or detecting
L. Locking: Left M. Marker: Magnetic
N. Normal O. Retarder
P. Repeating Q. Treadle or bar
ARTC Website, [Link]
Page 35
Basic Railway Signalling
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Nomenclature Meaning of Letters (Description Term – Prefix Letter) cont.


R. Reverse: Right: Danger (red) S. Stick
T. Track Circuit U. Route (aspect displayed to be shown in
brackets indicating)
V. Train stop W. Points
X. Audible indicator (such as bell, buzzer, Y. Slotting or disengaging
horn): Level or highway crossing
Z. Special (to be explained on plan) Up. Up (direction of traffic)
Dn. Down (direction of traffic)

Page 36
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Nomenclature Meaning of Letters (Apparatus – Last Letter)


A. - B. Block instrument
C. Contact D. -
E. Electric lamp (illuminating): Earth F. Fogging apparatus (e.g. detonator placer)
G. Signal apparatus, including light signals H. Capacitor
I. Inductor J. Rectifier
K. Indicator (visual) L. lock
M. Motor N. Release: Hand operated switch, push-
button or key
O. Resistor P. Lever latch or trigger contact
Q. Local coil of double element relay

Page 37
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Nomenclature Meaning of Letters (Apparatus – Last Letter) cont.


R. Relay or contractor (line or track) element S. -
of double element relay)
T. Transformer: Transmitter t. Terminal
U. Train description apparatus (for route) V. Train stop apparatus
W. Points operating apparatus X. Audible indicator (such as bell, buzzer,
horn)
Y. Disengaging apparatus Z. Special unit (to be explained on plan)

Page 38
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Examples of Common Names in Use


A: Approach
• 27 ALSR, approach locking stick relay for 27 signal
B: Block, Battery positive
• BR, block relay
• B50, positive 50 volt DC
• BX110, positive 110 volt AC
C: Contactor, Checking, Control
• C(M), 240 volt contactor for mains supply
• 27ECR, 27 (signal) lamp checking relay
• HSFCR, High Street flasher control relay
• 102UECR, 102 route lamp checking relay

Page 39
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Examples of Common Names in Use


D: Down, Clear (Green)
• (DN) BR, down block relay
• 27 DGE, 27 (signal) clear (green) signal lamp
• 27 DGKE, 27 (signal) clear signal indication lamp
E: Lamp, Entrance, Exit
• 27 DGE, 27 signal clear signal lamp
• ENR, entrance relay, EXR and exit relay
• ELD, earth leakage detector

Page 40
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Examples of Common Names in Use


F: Flashing, Traffic
• (UP) FSR, Up traffic stick relay
• FCR, flashing control (checking) relay
• 27 (F)HR, 27 flashing caution relay
G: Signal, Gate
• 43 GSR, 43 (shunt) signal stick relay
• 14GKE, 14 signal indication lamp
• HSFGR, High Street flasher gate (boom control) relay
H: Caution
• 14HR,14 (signal) caution relay
• 14HHR, 14 (signal) preliminary (double) caution relay

Page 41
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Examples of Common Names in Use


J: Time, Timer
• 27AJR, 27A track timing relay
• 14AJUSR, 14A (route) timed route stick relay
• EF(UP)JULSR, EF track (UP) time route lock stick relay
K: Indication
• 15RGKR, 15 signal reverse signal indication relay
L: Lock, Lever
• 7LR, 7 points locking relay
• 102/103/105 LSR, 102, 103 and 105 signals lock stick relay
• 9NLPR, 9 normal lever repeat relay

Page 42
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Examples of Common Names in Use


M: Motor
• 7WM, 7 points motor
N: Normal, Negative battery
• 7NLR, 7 (points) normal lock relay
• 7NKR, 7 (points) normal indication (detection) relay
• N50, Negative 50 volts dc
• NX110, Negative 110 volts ac
• 550NWLR, 550 normal point lock relay

Page 43
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Examples of Common Names in Use

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

Examples of Common Names in Use

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

Examples of Common Names in Use


U: Route
• RUR, Reverse route relay
• UAUR, Up approach route relay
• 102AUGE, 102A signal route, route signal lamp
V: Train stop
• 27V, 27 signal train stop motor
W: Point
• 101WJR, 101 points timing relay
• 101WM, 101 points motor

Page 46
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Examples of Common Names in Use


X: Crossing
• XMR, boom gate crossing motor relay
• XASR, crossing approach stick relay
Y: Reverser
• 7Y, 7 signal reverser coil
Z: Special
• HSDAOZR, High Street down outer approach special relay

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

 Route Setting Process

15

BA

17 19
201
AA AB AC 202 AD AE AF

Page 49
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

When a valid route request is received, the


Route Availability interlocking first checks the availability of each
set of points involved in the route and overlap.

Interlocking would first check!


Is there physical route between 17 as an
entrance and 19 as an exit?
Both 201 and 202 are in correct position, aren’t
15
they?

BA Route is not AVAILABLE.


17 19
201
AA AB AC 202 AD AE AF

enter exit

Page 50
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

AB, AC, AD, AE and AF is locked.


201 is in normal position.
202 is in normal position.
15
Of cause, AC will lock 201 point and AD
will lock 202.
BA

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

Route Releasing Once the route has been cancelled


the locking is removed track by
track behind the train.
Taking track AD as an example, its
locking can only be removed if the
locking has already been removed
15
from previous track, AC, and if AD
track itself is clear.
BA

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

Main Aspect Approach Controlled from Red (MAR)

 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

Main Aspect Approach Controlled from Red (MAR)

 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

Main Aspect Approach Controlled from Red (MAR)

AB occ

Page 59
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Free Yellow (ZY)

 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

Free Yellow (ZY)

 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.

Page 63 The Signalling [Link]; 24:37 mins


Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

 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
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Page 65
Basic Railway Signalling
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Page 66
Basic Railway Signalling
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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
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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
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Page 71
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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
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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
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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.

Signal Box Signal Box

Wire Broken wire


R R

Page 80
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Damaged Wire

Location Signal Box Location Signal Box

R R

Page 81
Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Failsafe

Q: Are these circuits 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

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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

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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

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Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Wrong Side Failure

 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.

Right Side Failure

 A failure that cannot direct lead to an unsafe situation.


• Example: A track circuit should show itself to be occupied under failure
conditions, This causes the signalling system to revert to a more restrictive
state – stops the passage of trains.
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Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Safety Systems Terminology


 Vital
• Attribute of equipment or systems
• Incorrect operation may lead to:
 Personal injury
 Damage to property or equipment
 Non vital
• Attribute of equipment or systems
• Incorrect operation cannot lead to:
 Personal injury
 Damage to property or equipment

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Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Safety Systems Terminology


 Verification (have we done things right)
• Proof that design complies with specification
 Example: function testing an interlocking according to the control
tables and track plan
 Validation (have we done the right thing)
• Proof that a specification complies with the established requirements
of a system
 Example: testing to first principles by an independent party that the
system always operates safely

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Basic Railway Signalling
Interlocking

Safety Integrity Level - SIL

Level Required Example PFH: Probability


Integrity of of Failure per
Safety Hour
4 Very high Interlocking 10-8 -10-9
3 High 10-7 -10-8
2 Medium Train description VDU
10-6 -10-7
based control system
1 Low 10-5 -10-6
0 Non safety related Management Non safety related
information systems
Thai Railway Signalling  [Link]
Page 89
(ระบบอาณัติสัญญาณ (Siemens) สถานีรถไฟหลวงจิตรลดา; 6.01 mins)
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.

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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

Thai Railway Signalling  [Link]


(สถานี รถไฟแห่ งแรก และเพียงแห่ งเดียว ในประเทศลาว; 20:39 mins)
Page 91

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