by
Nikhil Saboo, IIT Roorkee
Railway Signalling
Introduction
Objectives
▪ Efficient movement of trains
▪ Ensuring safety of trains moving
Definition on crossing tracks Classification
▪ Systems/devices/means by which trains ▪ Maximum utilization of track
▪ Based on Operating Characteristics
are operated efficiently, and the tracks
▪ Safety during shunting
are used to the maximum extent, ▪ Based on Functional Characteristics
operations
maintaining the safety of the ▪ Based on Locational Characteristics
passengers, rolling stock, and the staff. ▪ Managing train movements
during maintenance and repairs ▪ Based on Special Characteristics
Block Section Home Section
▪ Block section Signals, • Home Signals,
▪ Automatic, Sensors • Controlled by Station Master
Understanding
• Earlier: Pilot running ahead of the train; Hand signals given by policeman
• Not safe
• Absolute Block System
A B
X Y
• A and B are major cities. Pink dots are intermediate stations having distance of 8-10 Km between them.
• X to Y is a BLOCK
• If a train is between X and Y, no other train can enter the block. This is absolute block system.
• ABS is used in India.
• Ensures safety BUT Inefficient use of track
• Automatic signaling system
X Y
• Signals placed at 1 km interval.
• These are automatic signals
Block Signal
Details
Block Signal
Details
Block Signal
Details
Block Signal
Details
Block Signal
Details
Classification
Visual Audible
Hand Flare Detonating
Fixed
Voice
Classification based Classification based
on operation on function Whistle
Mechanical Stop
• Outer
• LQ • Reception
• Home
• UQ • Dispatch • Starter
• Advance Starter
Colour light Permissive
• Warner
• 2A
• Distant
• 3A
Subsidary • Shunt
• 4A • Calling on
• Repeater calling
Warner vs Distant
1. In 2A signal system the name of the permissive signal is warner. In MA signal the
name of the permissive signal is distant signal
2. Semaphore warner signal works in lower quadrant. Semaphore distant signal works in
upper quadrant
3. Semaphore warner is red and white. Semaphore distant is yellow and black
4. Warner: only two aspects (caution and proceed). Distant: three aspects (caution,
attention, proceed)
5. Single warner mounted signal: a permanent green signal placed. No such provisions in
distant
6. Warner is placed alone or with a stop signal. Distant is always alone
7. Warner signal ON is red. Distant signal ON is yellow
8. Warner signal indicates about next block section or the nearing stop signal. Distant
signal tells about next stop signal
▪ DS
▪ Single Yellow: Next Red, go
cautiously and be ready to stop
▪ Green: Line clear, proceed with
full speed
▪ Double Yellow: Next yellow, so
go slow
▪ HS
▪ White: Route indicator
▪ Red: stop
Home Signal
▪ Green: Route set for main line
▪ Yellow (always with route
Details
indicator): go to loop line
▪ LLSS:
▪ Red: stop
▪ Yellow: go slow to block section
(ML)
▪ MLSS
▪ Red: stop
▪ Yellow: go slow
▪ Green: can go
▪ Adv.SS
▪ Green: Go
▪ Red: Stop
Locational
Indicators – Caution indicators
▪ Defines caution order in effect
▪ Indicates towards a track on which certain restrictions are
imposed (temporary/permanent)
▪ Placed 700 m before speed limit indicator board and 800 m
before actual point of any permanent way work
Indicators – Grade indicators
Special
▪ Indicates grade, e.g. 1 in 150 downgrade
▪ Sometimes ‘V’ is used instead of an arrow
▪ When it is provided without an arrow and with only letter ‘L’ then
it indicates end of grade and start of leveled track
▪ This is a ground level sign on a concrete slab base
Indicators – Level crossing Indicators – Whistle / Whistle at Level
Crossing indicators
▪ Placed at a distance 250 m away
from crossing
▪ Similarly, W/B is used for bridges
Special Indicators – Stop
▪ This is used for temporary or permanent engineering restrictions
which call for trains to come to a dead stop before proceeding.
Terminators – Speed Limit Indicators – Speed indicators
▪ Indicates termination of ▪ Speed is in km/hr
speed limit ▪ Yellow board with black text is for all trains
▪ Blue board with white text is for Rajdhani
and Shatabdi trains
Special
Terminators – Passenger train / Goods train Limit
▪ Indicates termination of speed zone for passenger train / goods
train
