TRAIN DETECTION

INTRODUCTION

To detect the presence of a vehicle of a set portion of track is

known as train detection.
Basically there are two means to detect the presence of a train over a
track which are
(a) Track Circuit.
(b) Axle Counters.
 APPLICATIONS
Typical Applications:- To detect presence of train on- Berthing Tracks , Signal
Replacements,
Point Zones , L.C Gate , Block Section, Automatic sections, Intermediate block sections
This notes deals with the TRACK CIRCUIT.

In a track circuit, a portion of rail track is electrically isolated from adjoining rails and
included in a circuit to energise a relay. The occupation or vacancy of the track portion is
detected by the condition of track relay.
 DEFINITIONS
* Two types of track circuit were designed. One is continuously live and is called a 'Closed
* Track Circuit.' The other one is made live only when occupied by vehicles and is called an
* 'Open Track Circuit.' The latter type is rarely used due to its serious limitations.
* According to the nature of supply source, the track circuits are categorised as:
* (a) D.C. Track Circuits -
* (i) Open DC Track circuit (ii) Closed DC Track circuit
* (b) A.F. Track Circuits (also known as Electronic Track Circuits)-
* (i) Non-Coded (ii) Coded
* (c) A.C. Track Circuits -
* Currently used in D.C traction areas (Mumbai area with 1500 V.D.C).
 DC Track Circuits
The components of D.C track circuit are: -
1) Battery
2) Adjustable Resistance
3) Track Relay
4) Track Lead Cables
5) G.I. wires connecting cables to the rails
6) Continuity rail bonds
7) Insulated rail joints.
 ESSENTIALS OF ABSOLUTE
BLOCK SYSTEM
1.5.1 Where trains are worked on the Absolute Block System
(a) No train shall be allowed to leave a block station unless Line Clear has been
received from the Block Station in advance, and
(b) On Double Lines such line clear shall not be given unless the line is clear, not only
up to the first stop signal at the block station at which such Line Clear is given but
also for an adequate distance beyond it;
(c) On Single Line such Line Clear shall not be given unless the line is clear of trains
running in the same direction, not only up to the first stop signal at the Block Station
at which such Line Clear is given, but also for an adequate distance beyond it, and is
clear of trains running in the direction towards the block station to which such Line
Clear is given.
 ESSENTIALS OF ABSOLUTE
BLOCK SYSTEM
* 1.5.2 Unless otherwise directed by approved special instructions, the adequate distance
* referred to in clause (b) and (c) of sub-rule (1) shall not be less than
* (a) 400 metres in case of two aspect lower quadrant signalling or two aspect colour light
* signalling and
* (b) 180 metres in case of multiple aspect signalling or modified lower quadrant
* signalling.
 ESSENTIALS OF LOCK &
BLOCK SYSTEM
Following are the essentials of lock & block system
(a) It shall not be possible to take ‘OFF’ the LSS to permit the train to leave a block
station until ‘Line clear’ has been received from block station in advance.
(b) The entry of a train into block section shall cause LSS to be automatically replaced
to ‘ON’.
(c) ‘Line clear’ shall not be given by the block station in advance until the complete
preceding train has passed over the section clearing track circuit or its equivalent &
until Stop signal/signals in rear of the train has/ have been replaced to ‘ON’ position.
 BELL CODE
For the Signalling of trains, the prescribed code of bell signals as detailed below shall be
used, and a copy thereof shall be exhibited in each block station near the place of operation of
the block working equipment.
 CONDITIONS FOR
GRANTING LINE CLEAR
* Class ‘A’ Station
* At a class ‘A’ station on single line or double line, the line shall not be considered clear
* and line clear shall not be given, unless: -
* (a) The whole of last preceding train has arrived complete.
* (b) All signals have been put back to ‘ON’ behind the said train.
* (c) The line on which it is intended to receive the incoming train is clear up to Starter
* and
* (d) All the Points have been correctly set & all the facing Points have been locked for the
* admission of the train on the said line.
 CONDITIONS FOR
GRANTING LINE CLEAR
Class ‘ B’ Station
(a) At a Class’B’ station on double line, the line shall not be considered clear & line clear
shall not be given, unless
(i) The whole of last preceding train has arrived complete,
(ii) All the necessary signals have been put back to ‘ON’ behind the said train,
· At stations equipped with two-aspect signalling – is up to Home Signal, or
· At stations equipped with multiple-aspect signalling or modified lower quadrant
signalling – is up to the outermost facing points or the Block section limit board
(if any)
(b) At a class ‘B’ station on single line, the line shall not be considered clear & line clear
shall not be given, unless –
(i) The whole of last preceding train has arrived complete,
(ii) All the necessary signals have been put back to ‘ON’ behind the said train, and
 CONDITIONS FOR
GRANTING LINE CLEAR
Class ‘ C’ Station
At a class ‘C’ station on single line or double line in two-aspect, multiple-aspect or
modified lower quadrant signalling, the line shall not be considered clear & line clear shall not
be given, unless ---
(a) The whole of the last preceding train, has passed complete at least 400 metres
beyond the Home signal & is continuing its journey; and
(b) All signals taken ‘OFF’ for the preceding train have been put back to ‘ON’ behind the
train;
(c) Provided that on a single line, the line is also clear of trains running in the opposite
direction towards the block hut from the block station at the other end.
 DOUBLE LINE BLOCK
INTRODUCTION INSTRUMENTS
On Double Line sections since token instrument cannot be utilized on account of unidirectional
traffic, as already explained, the Authority to proceed for the driver is the “OFF” aspect
of Last Stop Signal. General Rule 4.42 lays down that the Last Stop Signal shall not be taken off
for a train unless Line Clear has been obtained from the Block Station in advance. It, therefore,
becomes compulsory to interlock the Last Stop Signal of a Block station on Double Line with the
Line Clear indication.
To ensure compliance with the rules, and for ensuring safety it thus becomes necessary to
interlock Block Signals with Block Instruments, and, thus, we get, what is known as the Lock and
Block working. In this method the Signal and Block indications can never conflict. The object of
‘Lock and Block’ working is, thus, to ensure that a train which has been accepted and signalled
forward must clear the section and also signals replaced to danger behind it before a following
train can be accepted and signalled forward. ‘Lock and Block’ is defined as a system of Block
Signalling wherein the passage of trains electrically controls the Block Instrument, which in turn
electrically controls the signals.
 FEATURES OF DOUBLE LINE
BLOCK INSTRUMENTS
(a) It is Non-Cooperative type block instrument
(b) All operations are carried by Receiving end block instrument
(c) It has Commutator Handle for operation & has 3 positions
(a) Line Closed (LB)
(b) Line Clear (LC)
(c) Train on Line (TOL)
(d) It has Conditional TOL locking
(e) Operation of block instrument is easier
(f) Line current is 25ma
(g) Suitable both for Non-RE & RE section
 FEATURES OF DOUBLE LINE
BLOCK INSTRUMENTS

(h) Overhauling period is 7 years.

 TYPES OF DOUBLE LINE
BLOCK INSTRUMENTS
There are 3 types of Double Line Block Instruments: -
(a) SGE Type (Byculla Make)
(b) Modified SGE Type (PTJ Make)
(c) IRS Type (HWH Make)
The main differences among them are
(i) Contact arrangement
(ii) Housing of components like polarised relay, Bell Assembly, Bell Relay, Telephone
etc.
(iii) Design of TOL Lock (Mechanical stick or Electrical Stick).
FRONT VIEW OF DOUBLE
LINE BLOCK INSTRUMENT
 CONSTRUCTION OF
DOUBLE LINE TOKENLESS
BLOCK INSTRUMENT
 Block Bell Relay
A single stroke block bell is worked by a relay. The resistance of this relay is 500 Ohms
and it requires a minimum operating current of 7.5 mA. The relay and the bell form a separate
unit. A separate line wire works the bell relay.
 Commutator Handle
Commutator Handle turns to 200 left and to 200 right from the vertical position, marked by an
arrow. The movement of the Handle causes the Commutator Disc and the Commutator to turn.
The Bell plunger is threaded through the centre of the Commutator Handle. A disc called
Commutated Disc mounted below the Bottom Indicator in the middle of the instrument is
attached to the Commutator Handle.
DOUBLE LINE BLOCK
OPERATION
DOUBLE LINE BLOCK
OPERATION
DOUBLE LINE BLOCK
OPERATION
 TYPES OF DOUBLE LINE
BLOCK INSTRUMENTS
There are 3 types of Double Line Block Instruments: -
(a) SGE Type (Byculla Make)
(b) Modified SGE Type (PTJ Make)
(c) IRS Type (HWH Make)
The main differences among them are
(i) Contact arrangement
(ii) Housing of components like polarised relay, Bell Assembly, Bell Relay, Telephone
etc.
(iii) Design of TOL Lock (Mechanical stick or Electrical Stick).
QUESTIONS ?
 THANK YOU
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