“SIGNAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION IN INDIAN RAILWAYS”
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING REPORT
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the
requirement for the award of the degree
of
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY IN
COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Submitted By
Alok Singh
(Enrollment No: 0201CS191010)
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE ENGINEERING
JABALPUR ENGINEERING COLLEGE, JABALPUR (M.P.)
(Established in 1947 as Government Engineering College, Jabalpur)
(Declared Autonomous by Government of Madhya Pradesh and RGPV,
Bhopal)
SESSION: 2019-2023
Training Period:- (1 Months ,2022)
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DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
CANDIDATE’S DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the presented report of Industrial training titled “Signal and
Telecommunication in Indian Railway" is uniquely prepared by me after the
completion of 30 days training from 1 June 2022 to 30 June 2022 at (Western
Central Railway, Jabalpur).
I also confirm that the report is only prepared in partial fulfilment for the award
of Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Science Engineering,
submitted in the Department of Computer Science Engineering, Jabalpur
Engineering College, Jabalpur.
I have not submitted the matter embodied in this report for the award of any other
degree.
Date: Name of Student
Alok Singh
Place: Jabalpur (0201CS191010)
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
AND ENGINEERING
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
This is to certify that Industrial training entitled “Signal and Telecommunication
in Indian Railway” submitted by Alok Singh(Enrollment No:0201CS191010) is
accepted towards partial fulfilment for the award Bachelor of Technology
degree in Computer Science and Engineering.
INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL
DATE : DATE :
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I am highly thankful and indebted to Indian Railways for giving
me this wonderful opportunity to work on the subject of Rail-net,
Testroom & Exchange, Railway signalling, and interlocking at
the Jabalpur division of western central railway.
The training was well organised and provided me with the best
learning outcomes.
I also express my gratitude towards AICTE for inserting this sort
of curriculum in engineering, which provided me a chance to feel
the training environment and to learn some practical application
of the course.
Alok Singh
(0201CS191010)
CERTIFICATE
TABLE OF CONTENT
● RAILWAY SIGNALLING
● INTERLOCKING
● RAILNET
● CONTROL COMMUNICATION
● TESTROOM
● POWER SUPPLY AND EXCHANGE
RAILWAY SIGNALLING
Day 1:-
On first day of training, I learned about signalling in the railway. Signalling is
one of the most important components of the many which make up a railway
system.
Train movement safety depends on this complex and fascinating system. The
control and management of trains depends on this system.
Over the years many signalling and train control systems have been evolved ,so that,
today a highly technical and complex industry has developed.
The principal function of a signalling system, as part of a safe working system, is to
communicate movement authorities from a network control officer to rail traffic
crews so as to allow the safe and efficient operation of a railway.
Types of Railway Signalling :-
1. Mechanical Signalling
2. Block Signalling
3. Fixed Signalling
4. Route Signalling
5. Colour Light Signalling
6. Cab Signalling
Day 2nd :-
On the second day of training , I went through all the types of signalling that are
mentioned on types of signalling and came to the conclusion that how these
signalling methods actually works and how slowly and steadily. We as an
Electronics Engineer helps railway in development of advanced signalling
systems which are more effective and reliable.
1. Mechanical signalling :- The signals used in a mechanical signalling
system are semaphore signals. These signals are operated by means of either a
lower quadrant or an upper quadrant signalling system.
Lower quadrant signalling system
This system of signalling was designed so that the
semaphore arm of the signal could be kept either
horizontal or lowered. The lower left-hand quadrant
of a circle is used for displaying a semaphore
indication to the driver of a train.
Upper quadrant signalling system
In lower quadrant signalling, the semaphore
arm of the signal can only take two
positions, namely, horizontal or lower; it is
not possible to include a third position for
the semaphore arm, such as vertically
downward position, due to design as well as
visibility problems, since as the semaphore
arm would, in that case, be super imposed on
the signal post. Due to this limitation, the
upper quadrant system was developed,
which can display more than two aspects. In
this system, it is possible to incorporate three
positions of the semaphore arm, namely, (a)
horizontal,(b)inclined at an angle of about 45 o above the horizontal level, and (c)
vertical, i.e., inclined at an angle of 90 o above the horizontal level.
2. Block Signalling :- Block signalling systems enable the safe and efficient
operation of railways by preventing collisions between trains. The basic principle is
that a track is broken up into a series of sections or "blocks". Only one train may
occupy a block at a time, and the blocks are sized to allow a train to stop within
them.
3. Fixed Signalling :- Each section (or block as it is often called) is protected
by a fixed signal placed at its entrance for display to the driver of an approaching
train.
Fixed Signalling Details :-
4. Route Signalling :- Signals are provided at junctions for two reasons;
first to inform the driver that the route is set for his train and second to ensure that
no conflicting or unsafe moves are made through the junction.
Once a driver has been given a clear signal indicating a route, it is essential that the
route is not changed before the train has completed the path through the route and it
has completely cleared it. To prevent the route being changed once a train is
committed to it, the section of track on the approach side of the signal becomes
locked as the train reaches it to prevent the route being changed within the safe
braking distance on the approach to the signal.
An example of a double track junction with points C4 and C5 set and locked to
allow trains to pass in both directions over the branch line. Signal C2 will only
show a green aspect if the points C4 are set and locked for the route from the branch
to the main line and Signal C3 is at red. In this situation, Signal C1 may show a
green only if the points C5 are set for the branch. The route indicator lights will
also show white.
5. Colour Light Signalling :- The Colour Light Signal is a signal which
displays lights of different colours, depending upon the aspect of the signal to be
conveyed to the driver. It is a sleek equipment fitted on a post. With increase in
Railway Electrification and other modernization works, use of colour light signals is
increasing day by day on Indian Railways.
Colour light signal displays the same aspect during day and night. Colour light
signal gives information of next signal in advance to the driver i.e. gives prewarning
to control the speed of train. Colour light signals have multiple units, depending
upon the aspects to be conveyed. Two aspect signal has two unit , three aspect has
three unit and four aspect has four unit.
2 , 3 and 4 Aspects of colour light signalling system
6. Cab Signalling :- Cab signaling is a railway safety system that
communicates track status and condition information to the cab, crew
compartment or driver's compartment of a locomotive, railcar or multiple unit.
The information is continually updated giving an easy to read display to the train
driver or engine driver.
INTR LOCKING :-
Day 3rd :-
Interlocking refers to an arrangement of signals, points and other appliances,
operated from a panel or lever frame, so inter-connected by Mechanical locking or
Electrical locking or both that their operation must take place in proper sequence to
ensure safety.
Interlocking in railway is actually the connection between signals , points , track
circuits such as joints , lever and axle counter .
Signals Signals
Points Axle counter
Principles of interlocking:- Some basic principles of interlocking should be kept
in mind while operating the signalling in railway .
1. No signal can be taken off until all the points on that line are properly set
and the facing point is completely locked .
2. If a level crossing gate is in the middle then it is closed and locked
only then the signal will be taken off.
3. The line for which to take off the signal must be isolated from the other line .
4. The last stop signal of the station will be taken off only when the line clear
on the block instrument from the next station is received .
5. Once the signal is taken off , it cannot operate at any point related to it or
not open the level crossing gate . To do this , the entire signal must be taken
back to on
positioner pass the whole train.
Types of Interlocking:- There are mainly two types of interlocking
that we see in Indian railway , these are namely , Direct interlocking
and Indirect interlocking.
1. Direct Interlocking:- The type of interlocking in which signals ,
points are generally operated through one place that’s from the cabin of the
station master .
Copyrighted content ©
2. Indirect Interlocking :- In indirect interlocking , the operation of
points and signals takes place from different locations.
That is the track management is done through levers and the operation of signals is
done through the cabin of the station master.
AXLE COUNTER:-
An axle counter is a system used in railway signalling to detect the clear or
occupied status of a section of track between two points.
This device follows the electromagnetic induction concept of physics.
Axle counter counts all the coaches of the train. Generally,1 coach is equal to 4
axles. Axle counter sends the axle count in the form of relay on or off position.
Then she took us to one large box, through which signals transferred to the
relay
room or controller.
This white box feeds the axle counter
inside it, then this white box receives
and then transmits to another box for
checking purposes.
Companies which makes axle counter
are Central Electronics Limited,
CGTronics, Ecdyne, Faucher.
Track circuit requires 3.7 V voltage,
that is power supply to
RAILNET DEPARTMENT :-
DAY 1:-
On the first day of training the guide explained the importance of the railnet
department. Rail- net is the name of Corporate Wide Information System of
Indian Railways. It is aimed to provide computer connectivity between Railway
Board, Zonal Railways, Production units, Research Design and Standards
Organization (RSDO), Centralised Training Institutes, Central Organisation for
Railway Electrification (CORE) etc.
After completing training in this department, I concluded that this department
had used concept of data communication.
The guide further explained 2 main objectives of formation of railnet :-
● Eliminate the need to move paper documents between
different documents.
● Change from “Periodic Reporting” to “Information on Demand”.
Railnet can provide quick and efficient automatic status update between
Railway Board and Zonal Railway, as well as between divisions and Zonal
Railway. Internet gateways have been established at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai,
Kolkata and Secunderabad for access of Internet through Rail net.
I had my training in the western central railway zone. The zone has 3 division
under it.
1. Jabalpur Railway Division.
2. Bhopal Railway Division.
3. Kota Railway Division.
With the below figure we can understand how different locations under Jabalpur
divisions are connected through routers and some other devices.
Some terms used in the above fig. are :-
STA – Satna
PPI – Pipariya
KTE – Katni
NKJ – New Katni Junction
DMO – Damoh
SGO – Saugor
KYE – Khurai
BEHR – Beohari
GAR – Gadarwara
NU – Narsinghpur
SHR – Sihora Road
MYR – Maihar
SRID – Shridham
SGP – Sohagpur
MPLS – Multiprotocol Label Switching
DAY 2 :-
On the 2nd day , he discussed the simple LAN, WAN concept. He
mentioned that I already have theoretical knowledge of it.Still he tried to
discuss the topics in a short span of time so that we were able to recall
them.
Firstly, He told us about the OSI (Open System Interconnection)
model. There are 7 layers of OSI models. OSI model gives basic
understanding and idea of network architecture.
There 7 models are:
Local Area Network (LAN):
A network is any collection of independent computers that exchange
information with each other over a shared communication medium. Local Area
Networks or LANs are usually confined to a limited geographic area, such as a
single building or a college campus.
Those small stations coming under Jabalpur division zone are connected
through virtual local area networks.
Wide Area Network (WAN):
This is accomplished by connecting the several LANs with dedicated leased
lines such as a T1 or a T3, by dial-up phone lines (both synchronous and
asynchronous), by satellite links and by data packet carrier services. Special
routing protocols and filters minimise the expense of sending data over vast
distances.
He then told basic structure of railnet
Rail net General Arrangement-
Then he started showing us LAN devices. Most of the LAN devices were from
Cisco company. He mentioned that any kind of maintenance to the device
would be seen by Cisco company.
He started discussing about 1st device that is
1. Router :-
Router –
Cisco Its IP
address:-
1. WAN – 10.255.247.49 2. Railnet Router – 10.157.2.4
LAN – 10.255.247.50
Router operates at Layer 3 (i.e. Network Layer) of the OSI model. A router's
main job is to get packets from one network to another. A 240 V DC power
cable is used for a router that can be equipped with one if three types of
connectors. Routers filter out network traffic by specific protocol rather than by
packet address. Routers also divide networks logically instead of physically. An
IP router can divide a network into various subnets so that only traffic destined
for particular IP addresses can pass between segments. Network speed often
decreases due to this type of intelligent forwarding. Such filtering takes more
time than that exercised in a switch or bridge, which only looks at the Ethernet
address. However, in more complex networks, overall efficiency is improved by
using routers.
2. Switch :-
Switch operates in layer 2(Data Link Layer) and layer 3 (Network layer) of the
OSI model. A switch is a device which sends a data packet in a local network.
He also mentioned that the switch has some advantages over the hub. A hub
floods the network with the packet and only the destination system receives that
packet while others just drop due to which the traffic increases a lot.
Layer 2 switch sends a “frames” to the destination port using the MAC address
table which stores the mac address of a device associated with that port.
Layer 3 switch sends route packet by using an IP address, it is used widely on
VLANs.
Layer 3 switch mostly used in India Railways.
DAY 3:-
He started explaining about other 2 devices that are kept in laboratory i.e.
3. Firewall :-
Firewall generally operates at layer 3(Network layer) and layer 4(transport
layer) devices of the OSI model
A Firewall is a network security device that monitors and filters incoming and
outgoing network traffic based on an organisation’s previously established
security policies.This provides end to end encryption.
4. MODEM :-
Modem is the short form for modulator-demodulator. A modem is a device or
program that enables a computer to transmit data over, for example, telephone
or cable lines. It connects to the router or switches to the Internet.
This was made by the Huawei company. And its specification
was B818. WiFi :- 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz 2*2 & 5GHz 2*2
DBDC Power :- AC/DC: AC:100V ~ 240 V; DC: 12 V, 2 A
FOIS NETWORK OF JABALPUR DIVISION :-
The FOIS Map View has been designed to cater to Divisional, Zonal and Board
levels of management for improved freight operations. It provides a Geo-Spatial
view of freight train performances. FOIS began as an application to track and
monitor the movement of wagons, locomotives and unit trains. Now it is a
complete management module for freight trains handling the billing and revenue
collections as well. FOIS helps to improve the process of planning, monitoring
and decision making and reduce operating expenses through a more efficient
utilisation of rolling stock.
DAY 4-6:-
During these days, I researched by myself, how passengers get benefits of
railnet. I also researched the internal components of the router,switches and
some devices.
Meanwhile, I also did my hands- on practices on data structure and algorithms.
CONTROL COMMUNICATION
DAY 1:-
On the first day of our training , the department ma’am discussed about basic
importance of signals in railways.
Train Control Communication System (TCCS) is a vital voice communication
system for control of train operations over a division.
Signals are used for communication purposes in Indian Railways. Like she gave
example,
Why and How trains get slower when it reaches the platform?
REASON:- A home signal indicates that the train may have to stop on the line
before leaving the block, or that the train has to slow down to a particular speed.
This signal was received by train 1.5 km away from the platform.
With this example she started the 1 st day of signal and department. Then she
discussed the indication panel.
There are different types of indication panels used by Indian Railways. This
includes the detection of train occupancy of the line. During the route initiation
process, a flashing indication is to be given at the entrance button when it is
pressed. When the route is set to this indication should be steady.
Day 2nd :-
She recalled past topics and then she continues by saying that those signals
which are received by that white box are sent to the controller. Then the
controller decides the line for passage of the train.
Relay room :-
Relay rooms are present beside station masters room. It contains all relays for
various signal operation. It provide supply to signals, points machines, track
circuits , axle counters. Relay rooms interlock and ensures safety of signal.
Relay room changes lower input to higher input and vice versa. Relay rooms
are fitted with AC because signals shouldn’t be affected because of
temperature.
Then she takes us to the battery and IPS rooms. She told me that the station has
a big or small IPS and battery room should be present. She gave example like
if the power supply is cut for some time then a house needs an inverter as a
back
-up in the same manner railways need it. Even if small seconds of
signals couldn’t be received then that could cause big harm to the
railway.
So for this safety purposes these rooms are made. Series of combinations of
battery Batteries provide direct current, which may be converted to AC by
uninterruptible power supply (UPS) equipment.
DAY 3:-
She started explaining signal indication meaning in railway.
● Green Signals shows proceed indication
● Yellow represents attention or caution and sometimes to reduce
speed. Then she further continue by saying that , kinds of signals used in
Indian railways are
1.Fixed Signal
2.Hand Signal
3.detonating
signal 4.flare
signals
She explained the term shunting engine, to move train onto a different track in
or near a station using a special railway engine designed for this purpose. At
that time engine speed shall not exceed of 15 km per hour.
Then she took us to railway track board as forgot to show us point machine.
Black machine in the picture is called the point machine and white machine in
the picture is called the raise machine. Point machine gets aligned by itself when
the train crosses over it.
After completing my training in this department, I concluded that this
department had used the concept of Signals and System. Signals and System
was a part of our college syllabus in the 3 th semester. Here in this department
learned advanced application of the subject.
TESTROOM :-
DAY 1:-
On the 1st day of the training in the control room, sir told us that the signal
and telecom department has a direct link with the control room. It is
generally known as the nerve centre of the rail network.
Controllers generally do work on the basis of 6 hrs shift, as their work is
more hectic. Before I had not seen any department have some power to
take judgement, but the controller has some power to take it.
Controllers take decisions in which path the train will move, this decision
is taken with the help of those signals which are sent by signal and
telecom department devices.
He explained us with one simple example like as such:
Suppose there is a division X, some stations comes under this division
i.e. A, B, C, D, E. Only loop is available at E.
A B C D E
One train Y starts at 11:00, to cross every station the train needs 10
mins of time. If train Y reaches to D then one Rajdhani train starts at A ,
to make the route clear for superfast trains. Controller makes Train Y
go fast to station E and asks the station master of E to make train Y in
loop. In this manner superfast trains will have a clear route to reach and
go fast.
With this example sir says that such a situation gets developed , so the
controller has to make a decision.
Jabalpur is A-1 category station , as it is divided so some stations come under
it. They are Katni, Damoh, Maihar, Pipariya, Satna etc.
One layout was shown to show, the picture is attached below.
The picture shows basic layout of Jabalpur connections with some major locations
Then sir told us that train reservation and ticketing data all come under the
control room. Nowadays some stations have CCTV , those CCTV's are
monitored by the Railway Protection Force.
DAY 2 :-
On the 2nd day, sir showed us a telephone near the controller, through which
messages are conveyed to station masters. Controller has a graph in front of
their desktop through which it makes decisions. The graph has a plot of time-
displacement graph.
Data loggers are electronic devices which automatically monitor and
record environmental parameters over time. It allows condition to be
measured
,documented, analysed and validated.
Even if any train accident occurred, the first police check the data of data
loggers. It could be reset over a particular interval of time.
DAY 3:-
On the last day of this department, he said that all these
communications are done with the help of optical fibre cable. These
cables are buried down into the ground, so the cable has 4 coating over
it.
He said there is 1 biggest challenge that comes in this type of
communication is, suppose if the cable broke at some point inside it.
In that situation they use the basic principle concept of optical fibre
cable. At any starting point of the cable, they pass a laser into it.
Then the laser gets reflected back. Then they measure the distance at
which point the laser gets reflected. That point would be the breakage
point of the cable. Fibre optic cable is not concerned by EMI effects
and can be used in locations where high voltages pass.
These cables are generally bought from Finolex Cables Limited, Birla
Cables limited etc. Even if any kind of maintenance is required then
that would be looked at by the individual company.
POWER SUPPLY AND EXCHANGE
DAY 1:-
On the day of training the guide told us power supply is another
important parameter for the smooth working of the railway .
For the power supply to the ENGINE of the train there are so many
power stations built near the station to provide the power required for
the functioning of the train and also for the railway signalling.
There is an arm shown at the top of the train in the Below picture. That arm is
also controlled by a controller. This arm touches the wire when the train has to
be stopped. This is controlled by the controller in the control room. There is a
large track room which contains tracks of every station that comes under
division. In that track room there is a machine connected to it. Controller clicks
some code in that machine to make the arm lower.
Signal and telecommunication deals with the monitoring of traction lines
,substations as well as modification of traction lines .
Example:- communicating with repair workers if there is any need
for repairing and also communication between different stations.
Day 2nd :-
Exchange room basically conveys messages through a
telephone medium. Those telephones are of BSNL company.
At some good stations, mobiles are also allowed. But through the mobile
or telephone railway employees can’t call any normal public. But
the public can call them and file complaints about Indian railways.
Every station has some code in it. With one picture I would like
to show you arrangements of telephone in the exchange room.
All these phones are of magnetic type. They have copper cable into
it. AC current are produced into so that receiver end could able to
hear bells from it. All these call record are kept for future use.
He shown us layout map of telephone communication of Jabalpur
division.
Some stations are very less developed. So those station uses microwave for
communication purposes. They are wireless form of communication. It is much
more expensive than optical fibre cable.
They uses microwave optical fibre of airtel, jio, idea.
Optical fibre cable has faster speed of data transmission. Microwave
communication stops showing signals in heavy rainfall situation.
DAY 3:-
He started saying that it is not true that communication can only takes place
through optical cable or microwave communication. Sometimes or some non-
important station uses 6-quad cable for communication p urpose. Quad shielding
indicates that the cable has 4 layers of shielding, providing excellent immunity
from noise.
This quad cable play major role in gate communication. The duty of the
gateman is to be stationed at the gate only, for opening and closing of the gates,
when the train passes through and also to control vehicular movements by road
when no train is to pass. He should be always in touch with the Station Master
who notifies for the train arrivals as well for
the express and goods trains pass by. In addition to that he should also inform
the train
movements to the Station master ahead of the railway gate, to inform about t he
trains passing by.
There were large number of multiplexers present near telephone. This mux
make 0-31 channels into it. Through these channels they pass signals into it. But
some 0 -
15 channels of mux are kept empty so as to check error. Time
division multiplexing protects cross talk over or any kind of
interference.
Details of Equipments:-
