BASIC CONCEPTS OF SIGNALLING, AND

INTERLOCKING.
Signaling in Indian Railways ensures safe running of
trains. Unlike road transport, where two vehicles cross
easily, on railway track it is not possible to cross two
vehicles on the same track. This has lead to block station,
where a point is inserted in the running line. “Point” is a
place where a train is diverted from one line to another
line. Depending upon the need of the traffic, there may
be more than two lines in a block station. To inform the
driver on which line he is being received has lead to
signaling system.

Set of signals which lead a train in to the station is

called as “RECEPTION SIGNALS”, and the set of signals
which lead a train out of station are called “DISPATCH
SIGNALS”. Apart from these two categories, there is a
need to have signal which guide the train in the station for
shunting purpose.

A signal is not independent equipment. It is

depending upon various other equipments, and systems
like point, track circuit, locking of the point etc. In the
following pares let us discuss about these equipment and
system in detail.

TYPES OF SIGNALS.

Main Signals.
Subsidiary signals.
Hand Signals.
Detonators.

Signals are generally displaying danger aspect. This

danger aspect is called as “ON” position of the signals.
When a signal displays other than ‘ON’ aspect, either
‘Yellow’ or ‘Green’, it is called as “OFF” aspect of the
signal.

There are some signal which are generally displaying

“ON” aspects, and are called as “STOP” signals. The
driver of the train is not supposed to pass such ‘Stop’
signals at ‘ON”. There are few more signals, which can be
passed at ‘ON’ and are called as “Permissive signals’.

MAIN SIGNALS.:

As the name indicates, Main signals govern the

movements of trains between two block stations.

SUBSIDIARY SIGNALS.:

Subsidiary signals are generally govern the

movements of a train within the station.

Hand signals and Detonators are used for specific

purpose, and are beyond the purview of this discussion.

SYSTEMS OF SIGNALLING.:

1. Lower Quadrant Signals,

2. Upper Quadrant Signals.

These two types of signals are shown to the driver

either in the form of a ‘Physical Arm’- which is called as
“SEMAPHORE SIGNALLING”, or in the form of COLOUR
LIGHT SIGNALLIN”

LOWER QUADRANT SIGNALS:

RECEPTION SIGNALS.
1. Warner signal. - Permissive Signal.
2. Outer signal. - Stop Signal, and a First Stop
Signal.
3. Home signal -Stop Signal, and a Second Stop
Signal.

DISPATCH SIGNALS.
4. Starter signals. -Stop Signal,
 5. Advanced Starter. -Stop Signal, and Last Stop
Signal

UPPER QUARDRAN SIGNALS.

RECEPTION SIGNALS

1. Distant signal. -Permissive Signal.

2. Home signal. -Stop Signal, and a First Stop
Signal.

DISPATCH SIGNALS.
3. Starter signals. -Stop Signal,
4. Advanced Starter.-Stop Signal, and Last Stop
Signal

SUBSIDIARY SIGNALS.

1. Shunt signals. - Used for shunting in the

station.
2. Calling on signal. - Used for specific purpose.
3. Co-acting signals. - Used for specific purpose.
4. Repeater signals. - Used as repeaters (only in LQ)

COLOUR LIGHT SIGNALLING

A colour light Distant signal shall be provided with

“P” marker, to facilitate the driver to identify it as a
‘Permissive signal’ in case of signal becoming blank.

Shunt signals are of position light type in colour

light signaling system. Calling-On signals are provided “C”
markers.

OVERLAPS.

To ensure safety in running the trains an adequate

distance is kept free ahead of the signal or block section.
In the signaling system mainly there are two overlaps are
referred to as “Signal Overlap” and “Block Overlap”

Signal overlap carries importance while taking ‘Off’ a

signal. The ‘signal overlap’ to be kept clear before a
signal is taken ‘Off’.

Block overlap carrier importance while granting line

clear to a train approaching the station. The block
overlap should be kept clear before the line clear is
granted.

Depending upon the type of signaling the distance of

both these overlap varies.

MISCELLNEOUS SIGNALS.

Apart from above discussed signals there are few

signals which are used in Railways.

GATE SIGNAL: Used for interlocked level crossing gates,

when the signal is protecting only the level crossing. The
gate signal is provided with “G” marker, so that the driver
of the train can pass the signal when it is at “ON”.

AUTOMATIC SIGNALS.: These signals are provided in

Automatic Signaling Territory. Automatic signals are
provided with “A” marker, so that the driver can pass the
automatic signal at “ON” duly following some rules.

INTERMEDIATE BLOCK SIGNALS: IBS are provided on

double line section. They are provided with “IB” markers,
so that the driver can pass the signal duly observing some
rules.

STATION SECTION:
 The area between two advanced starters (last stop
signals) of a station is called as ‘Station Section’.
Shunting can be performed in the station section. The
station section also plays an important role in
classifications of stations.

STATION LIMIT:

An area between the outer most signals of the station

is called as ‘Station Limit’. The station master is an
authority for the station limit.

CLASS OF STATIONS:

Stations are classified based on availability of station

section, shunting in the face of an approaching train, line
to be kept clear before granting the line clear etc.

There are four class of stations viz. A, B, C, D. Out of

which ‘D’ Class station is called as cattle crossing, and is
not provided any type of signals. ‘A’ class stations are
provided under special conditions, where shunting in the
face of an approaching train is not permitted. There is no
separate station section in ‘A’ class station. Maximum
stations are classified under ‘B’ class stations. There is
‘Station Section’, and shunting in the face on an
approaching train can be performed. ‘C’ class stations are
provided for increasing line capacity.

STANDARDS OF INTERLOCKING:

Standards of interlocking determines the maximum

speed of a train through a facing point in a station, when a
train is being received on main line. To suit the speed of
the train on the facing point, safety equipments are
standardized. Standards of interlocking also determines
type of signaling, operation of points, locking of points,
detecting of points, isolation etc. There are four types of
standards of interlocking.

PRINCIPLES OF INTERLOCKING:

Principles of interlocking ensures safe operation of

signals. These principles by and large are applicable to
any type of signaling. Interlocking is a sequential
operation of different equipments like points, lock, level
crossing gate etc. before a signal is taken ‘OFF’. The
principles are discussed broadly in the following paras.
The conditions discussed should be fulfilled not only in the
route of the train but also in the overlap. Overlap is an
adequate distance kept for safety. There are two types of
overlaps namely, “Block Overlap” and “Signal Overlap”.

• A signal cannot be taken “OFF” unless all points are

set including isolation, all facing points are locked
and all level crossing gates are closed and locked for
the road traffic.
• Once the signal is taken “OFF” it should not be
possible to operate any point including isolation, un
lock the facing point and open the level crossing gate
for the road traffic.
• It should not be possible to take “OFF” any two
conflicting signals at the same time.
• It should also not be possible reverse any two
conflicting points at the same time

Irrespective of type of signaling the above principles

of interlocking have to be fulfilled. In Mechanical signaling
it is achieved by interlocking different levers operated
from the cabin. In Relay interlocking it is achieved
through relay interlocking, and in Electrical Interlocking it
is achieved through microprocessors.

BLOCK SYSTEMS.
 To run many trains on the given section, entire
stretch of track is divided in to smaller sections by
introducing “Block Stations”. The distance between any
two adjacent ‘Block Station’ can be any where between 5
Km to 15 Km depending upon the requirements.

To ensure safe running of trains between these block

stations, “Block System” have been evolved. On ‘Indian
Railway’ mainly two types of block systems are employed.

1. Absolute Block Working: This system is used on single

line and on double line. The system is supported by
a “Block Instrument”. The system ensures that one
train at a time in the block section. An authority is
issued to the driver to enter the block section called
as “Line Clear”

2. Automatic Block Working: This system is used in busy

sections where number of trains are more. The
signals are governed and operated by the passage of
the train. No authority as “Line Clear” is issued to
the driver.