Introduction

to
Indian Railways

[Link]
 Books of Reference connected with Railway working (Open Line)

• The General Rules for Indian Railways (Open Lines), often referred to as G&SR
• General Rules - Indian Railways
• Subsidiary Rules - Zonal Railways
• Outline the fundamental procedures and regulations for the safe and efficient operation of the railway system
• These rules are crucial for all railway employees and are essential for maintaining safety and order
• Manual having Technical aspects with out deviating G&SR
• Indian Railways Signal Engineering Manual Part - 1
• Indian Railways Signal Engineering Manual Part - 2
• All the aspects contained in this manual are expected to keep in mind at all times the following
• Principles of Uniformity
• Reliability, Availability, Maintainability & Safety(RAMS)
 Definitions used in Railway Signalling based on G&SR

• ‘Adequate distance’ means:

• The distance sufficient to ensure safety
• ‘Approved special instructions’ means
• Special instructions approved or prescribed by Commissioner
Railway Safety
• ‘Authorized officer’ means
• The person who is duly empowered
• By general or special order of the Railway Administration
• Either by name or by virtue of his office
• To issue instructions or to do any other thing
 Definitions used in Railway Signalling

• ‘Authority to proceed’ means

• the authority given to the Loco pilot of a train
• under the system of working
• to enter the block section with his train

• Block section’ means

• that portion of the running line between two block stations
• on to which no running train may enter
• until the Line Clear has been received from the block station
• at the other end of the block section
 Definitions used in Railway Signalling

• ‘Centralised Traffic Control’ means

• A system by which the working of trains over a route
• To which the system applies
• Is governed by fixed signals remotely controlled from a designated place
• ‘Commissioner of Railway Safety’ means
• ‘Commissioner of Railway Safety’ appointed
• To exercise any functions under the Act and
• Includes ‘Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety’
• Appointed from Ministry of Civil Aviation
• ‘Direction of traffic’ means
• on double line
• The direction for which line is signalled
• on a single line
• The direction for the time being established under the system of working
• To allow the trains to move in that direction
 Definitions used in Railway Signalling

• ‘Loco Pilot’ means

• The engine Loco Pilot or
• Any other competent railway servant
• For the time being in charge of driving a train
• ‘Electrical communication instrument’ means
• Either a telephone or
• A Morse telegraph instrument
• ‘Facing and trailing points’
• Points are facing or trailing in accordance with direction a train or vehicle moves over them.
• Points said to be facing points
• When by their operation
• A train approaching them
• Can be directly diverted
• From the line upon which it is running
 Definitions used in Railway Signalling

• ‘Fixed signal’ means

• A signal of fixed location
• Indicating a condition affecting the movement of a train and
• Included a semaphore arm or disc or fixed light for use by day and
• Fixed light for use by night.
• ‘Fouling mark’ means
• The mark at which the infringement of fixed Standard Dimensions occurs
• Where two lines cross or join one another.
• ‘Interlocking’ means
• An arrangement of signals, points and other appliances,
• Operated from a panel or lever frame,
• So interconnected by mechanical locking or electrical locking or both
• That their operation must take place in a proper sequence to ensure safety.
 Definitions used in Railway Signalling

• ‘Intermediate Block Post’ means

• A class ‘C’ station on single line or double line or multiple line remotely controlled from the block
station in rear
• ‘Intermediate Block Signalling’ means
• An arrangement of signalling on single line or double line or multiple line
• In which a long block section is split into two portions
• Each constituting a separate block section
• By providing Intermediate Block Signalling
• ‘Isolation’ means
• An arrangement, secured by setting of points or other approved means,
• To protect the line so isolated from the danger of obstruction
• From other connected line or lines
• ‘Last Stop Signal’ means
• The fixed stop signal of a station controlling the entry of trains into the next block section
 Definitions used in Railway Signalling

• ‘Line Clear’ means

• The permission given from a block station to a block station in rear
• For a train to leave the latter and approach the former; or
• The permission obtained by a block station from a block station in advance
• For a train to leave the former and proceed towards the latter.
• ‘Main line’ means
• The line ordinarily used for running trains through and between stations
• ‘Running line’ means
• The line governed by one or more signals and includes connections if any,
• Used by a train when entering or leaving a station or
• Passing through a station or between station
 Definitions used in Railway Signalling

• ‘Shunting’ means
• The movement of a vehicle or vehicles
• With or without an engine or
• Of any engine or any other self- propelled vehicle,
• For the purpose of attaching, detaching or transfer or for any other purpose
• ‘Special instructions’ means
• Instructions issued from time to time
• By the authorized officer in respect to particular cases or special circumstances
• ‘Station’ means
• Any place on a line of railway at which the traffic is dealt with or
• At which an authority to proceed is given under the system of working
 Definitions used in Railway Signalling

• ‘Station limits’ means

• The portion of a railway which is under the control of a Station Master
• And is situated between the outermost signals of the station or
• As may be specified by special instructions
• ‘Station Master’ means
• The person on duty who is for the time being
• Responsible for working of the traffic within the station limits, and
• Includes any person who is for the time being in independent charge of the working of any signals and
• Responsible for working of trains under the system of working in force
• ‘Subsidiary rule’ means
• A special instruction which is subservient to the General Rule to which it relates and shall not be at
variance with any General Rule
 Definitions used in Railway Signalling

• ‘System of working’ means

• The system adopted for the time being for the working of trains on any portion of a railway
• ‘Track circuit’ means
• An electrical circuit provided to detect the presence of a vehicle on a portion of track,
• The rails of the track forming part of the circuit
• ‘Axle counter’ means
• An electrical device which,
• When provided at two given points on the track,
• Proves by counting axles in and counting axles out
• Whether the section of the track between the said two points is clear or occupied
 Definitions used in Railway Signalling

• ‘Train’ means
• An engine with or without vehicles attached or
• Any self propelled vehicle with or without trailer,
• Which cannot be readily lifted off the track.
• ‘Two aspect signalling’ means
• A signalling arrangement in which each signal displays
• At any one time either of the two aspects.
• ‘Multiple- aspect signalling’ means
• A signalling arrangement in which signals display
• At any one time any one of the three or more aspects and
• In which the aspect of every signal is pre-warned
• By the aspect of the previous signal or signals
 Control over Movement
of Trains
• Running of flanged vehicles on the steel track has its own inherent problems.
• It is on a definite path

• Cannot be steered away

• Required to follow one after another in the same direction

• Opposite direction not possible

• Problems of "Control over movement of Trains"

• Time interval/Space interval methods are the options

 Control over movement of trains
Space Interval Method

• In this method the length of track is divided into sections called "Blocks"
• The entry of a train into the ‘block’ is controlled in such a way that only when it is free, a train can be allowed to
enter in to the block
• This means that, between two consecutive trains, there is a definite space interval
• To control the entry of train into the space (block) a track side "Signal" is required
• The signals are provided at entry and exit points of the block to control the train
• Signals are controlled through Block Instruments /Track Detection Devices with intercommunication
• It is possible to allow the entry of a train into a block only when it is vacant
• Following are the systems of working by using Space Interval
• Absolute Block System
• Automatic Block System
 , Control Over movement of train are With Space Interval widely classified under the
following System of working

Track Portion Between two stations Track Portion with in Station

Absolute Block System Automatic Block System • Mechanical Interlocking

• Electromechanical Interlocking
• Relay Interlocking
• Inter connected Block Instruments used • Continuous Track circuit • Electronic Interlocking
between two stations • Automatic Signals for every one kilometer
• Only one train can be dealt between • Any number of trains can be
two stations at a time dealt between two stations
• Majority of Stations in Indian Railway are • Used where density of traffic is more
worked by this system

• Single Line
• Double Line
• Quadruple Line
• Twin Single Line
 Control over Movement
of Trains

• Block working with space interval.

• Train movement jointly controlled by the entry and exit points of the block working.
• Can be a manual block working or an Automatic block working.
• Permission is required from the exit end.
• "PERMISSION TO APPROACH" has been evolved(Developed Gradually) on Indian Railways and are
classified as "System of Working".
• Conclusion: The main purpose of Railway Signalling Systems is to maintain a safe distance
between trains on the same track.
 Track Portion Between Stations

Single Line Double Line Third Line

Quadruple Line Twin Single Line Three Double Line

 Block station and Block Section

Cabin

Block Section Block Section Block Section Block Section

Block Station Block Station Block Station

Block Station
 Block station and Block Section

Entry Station Direction of movement Exit Station

3 3
1 8 1 8
2 2
6 6

Station Section Block Section Station Section

 Absolute Block System

• This is the most widely used system on Indian Railways

• The space between two stations is termed as block section
• Entry into the block section is controlled through human agencies named as Station Masters at two stations
• Train is allowed to leave a station when block section is free of train and line clear is obtained from station in advance
• Conditions for line clear are:
• On double line- the line must be clear up to First Stop Signal plus an adequate distance known as Block Overlap
• On single line- the line must be clear of trains running in the same direction up to First Stop Signal plus an
adequate distance or Block Overlap and is clear of trains running in opposite direction
• Although there is space for more trains in the block section, only one train can be dealt at a time
 Control over Movement
of Trains
Station “A” Station “B”

Token Block Instrument

Ball Token Pouch
 Intermediate Block Signalling (IBS) System

• Intermediate Block Signalling system is provided:

• Where the Absolute Block Section is long (say 12 -14 km)
• Frequency of trains is more
• IBS is an arrangement made on a Double Line Section
• Provided to increase the line capacity
• By splitting of a long Block Section into two Sections
• Namely ‘Rear Section’ and ‘Advance Section’
• By installing an IB Signal at the point of bifurcation of that running Line
• With respect to the nominated direction of traffic
 Main line and loop line

• Railway station SM’s Office

Loop line
Crossover Crossover
Points Points
Main line

Crossover Crossover
Points Points
Loop line
Receiving a train

SM’s Office
Dispatching a Train

SM’s Office
Running and Non-running Lines

SM’s Office
Railway Station
 Automatic Block Signalling System
• In this system the line between two stations is provided with Continuous Track Circuits or Axle Counters
• The line between two stations is divided into a series of sections known as "Automatic Block Signalling Section"
• The length of these Automatic Block Signalling sections is normally equal to the braking distance as per the
maximum speed permitted in the section
• Entry into each automatic block signalling section is protected by a colour light Multiple Aspect Stop Signal

Block Block Block

1 G 3 G 5 G 7 G

Over Lap Over Lap Over Lap

Over Lap

Block Block Block

1 3 5 7

A
A
A
A

Over Lap Over Lap Over Lap

Over Lap
 Train
Control

• Signalling ensures movement of Trains within a station

• Block system ensures movement of Trains within adjacent stations

• Train control to ensure movement of trains in a given area

• The area covers around 50 to 300 Km section of a track

• Covers all the block stations of the section

 Train
Control

• Controlling the movements of a train in a given section

• Manually

• Centralised traffic control

• ERTMS

• CBTC
 Train Control – Control Office

Control office manned by a Controller

Stn Stn Stn Stn Stn Stn Stn Stn Stn Stn Stn Stn
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

• Stations
• Control phones at each station
• It is an omnibus circuit
• Each station is allotted with a code
 Objectives of Train
Control
• Ensuring the punctual running of Mail, Express & Passenger trains.

• Running Goods trains on best possible paths and with the least possible detention enroute.

• Arranging the running of engineering material trains to the best possible advantage of Engineering

department.

• Arranging Engineering and/or Power blocks in such a way as to involve the minimum disturbances

to train running.

• Arranging relief and regulating trains in the event of an accident.

 Means of
communication

• Block telephone attached to block instrument

• Control phone

• Railway Auto phones

• Walkie-Talkies with high frequency at select locations

• Emergency phones provided along with track

Emergency phone post
Means of
communication
 Train Control

Station Train Controller

Safe working through Interlocking & Block Train scheduling, arranging crossings and
Control Room precedence. Temporary and Permanent speed
working . Temporary Speed Restriction,
communicating with controller and restrictions. Messages, Time setting, Other
Communicating with train operator. information to stations (Situated in Divisional
Head Quarters Office).

station station station station station

Interlocking Room Interlocking Room Interlocking Room station Room

Interlocking Interlocking Room

Train safety, speed and There is

Station Stopping communication
Guided by signals. facility with Station
 Few more Controls

• S&T Control
• Engineering control
• Power Control/Traction Loco Control
• Traction Power Control
• Emergency Control
 Review questions

• A track consists of two rails, laid on a block called as __________?

• The purpose of the _______ are to hold both the rails of a track in a particular _________, provide

sturdiness to the railway track ?

• Presently the Indian Railway uses ___________ gauge ?

• In a station the line on which a train travels with maximum speed is called as __________ line ?

• The line on which a train travels with considerably low speed is called as _________ line ?
 Review questions

• A track consists of two rails, laid on a block called as sleepers.

• The purpose of the sleepers are to hold both the rails of a track in a particular gauge, provide

sturdiness to the railway track

• Presently the Indian Railway uses broad gauge

• In a station the line on which a train travels with maximum speed is called as main line

• The line on which a train travels with considerably low speed is called as loop line
 Review questions

• _____________ points are the place where a train can be diverted from

one line to another line.

• The area between two adjacent station is called as “____________”?

• The main purpose of Railway Signalling Systems is to maintain a _______between trains ?

• On a particular segment of a track the train enters from one side and exists from the other sides, the

lines are called as “_______ lines” ?

• Which method is followed in Railways for controlling the train movement -----------?
 Review questions

• Crossover points are the place where a train can be diverted from one line to another line.

• The area between two adjacent station is called as “Block Section”.

• The main purpose of Railway Signalling Systems is to maintain a safe distance between trains on the

same track.

• On a particular segment of a track the train enters from one side and exists from the other sides, the

lines are called as “running lines”

• Which method is followed in Railways for controlling the train movement Space Interval ?
 Review questions

• For Control over movement of train, track portion is divided in to --------- & ----------?

• The System of working between two stations are ----------------- & -----------------?

• What is the main requirement of Absolute block working ------------ ?

• The requirement of Automatic block working is ----------- with ---------?

• System of working widely used with in station yard are ----------- & -----------?

• Trains on a particular station is controlled by which person ----------- ?

• Trains on a particular section is controlled by which person ----------- ?

 Review questions

• For Control over movement of train, track portion is divided in to Between two station & with in station yard

• The System of working between two stations are Absolute Block System & Automatic Block System

• What is the main requirement for Absolute block working Block Instrument

• The requirement of Automatic block working is Continuous Track Circuits with Automatic Signals

• System of working widely used with in station yard are Relay Interlocking & Electronic Interlocking

• Train on a particular station is controlled by Station Manager

• Trains on a particular section is controlled by Section Controller

Thank You