Reading List for Module A –

Fundamentals of Railway Control

Engineering
Essential reading
All items on the essential reading list are available free of charge and most of these are short articles.
Studying and understanding all of the items in the essential reading list will enable a candidate to
pass the Module A examination.

Ref Title Relevance

No.
Papers & Articles
All these papers and articles are listed under Module A study resources at
https://www.irse.org/Qualifications-Careers/Exam-Support-Resources/Module-A
1 Introduction to Railway Signalling, by Neil A very basic introduction to the subject.
Porter Candidates with little prior knowledge should
start here.
2 Back to Basics – Fundamental Requirements A short article on the essential requirements
for a Train Control System for any train control system.
IRSE News, Issue 259, October 2019
3 Back to Basics – Train Detection An overview of the many ways in which train
IRSE News, Issue 261, December 2019 positions can be determined.
4 Back to Basics – Interlockings, parts 1 & 2 Two articles covering the technologies and
IRSE News, Issue 265, April 2020 functionality of the fundamental core of a
IRSE News, Issue 266, May 2020 signalling system.
5 The Impact of Telecommunications on This paper explores the future trends in
Rolling Stock telecommunications on board trains.
IRSE News, Issue 187, March 2013
6 Telecommunications – the Future is IP This paper describes the history and origin
IRSE News, Issue 188, April 2013 of IP, how it may be used for signalling
systems and how security issues may be
addressed.
7 Telecommunications: the Heart of the Digital A history of the use of digital technology on
Railway the railways, future developments and the
IRSE News, Issue 220, March 2016 application of digital technology in railway
train control systems.
8 Control and Communications Asset The approach taken by one owner and
Management infrastructure manager in managing assets
IRSE News, Issue 229, January 2017 throughout their network.
9 Cybersecurity in Railway Signalling Systems The challenges and potential approaches
ITC Report 42 IRSE News, Issue 236, associated with the cybersecurity of railway
September 2017 signalling and control systems.
10 What Follows GSM-R? The future for train radio communications.
IRSE News, Issue 240, January 2018
11 Wi-Fi 6 An exploration of current and future
IRSE News, Issue 260, November 2019 applications of Wi-Fi data connections in the
railways.
12 Driving Evolution Towards IP in Signalling Overcoming the challenges of obsolescence
Telecoms and increasing capacity and security
ITC Report 30, IRSE News, Issue 218, demands in data transmission systems.
January 2016

IRSE Exam Module A Reading List Page 1 of 3 Version 1 June 2020

 13 How do we Reduce the Number of Accidents An exploration of available solutions that
Involving Human Factors? reduce the risk of, and mitigate the impacts
ITC Report 47, IRSE News, Issue 242, March of human error in railway train control
2018 systems.
14 Achieving High Levels of Signalling System A look at the challenge of reducing service-
Availability – is there a role for secondary affecting failures, improving recovery times
systems? and providing means of degraded-mode
ITC Report 52, IRSE News, Issue 247, operation.
September 2018
15 Dependability of Railway Control & The fundamentals of reliability, availability,
Communications Systems, by Hedley maintainability and safety in railway control
Calderbank engineering.
Study Guides
These guides are intended for the advanced modules of the IRSE examination. You do not need to
study the chapters that are not listed here, though you may do so for context. You may ignore the
“activities”. the exam questions and the associated reading lists.

All these study guides are listed under Module A study resources at
https://www.irse.org/Qualifications-Careers/Exam-Support-Resources/Module-A
16 Study Guide for Module 2 – Signalling the Covers the elements of signalling layouts,
Layout including the relationships between the
provision of signals and traffic operating
patterns, rolling stock and layout constraints
and headway requirements.
17 Study Guide for Module 3 – Signalling Chapters 5-7 & 20 are relevant to Module A.
Principles This guide covers the principles of operation
of signalling systems and subsystems, train
control methods, route and speed signalling,
ERTMS and train detection.
18 Study Guide for Module 7 – Systems, Chapters 1, 3-4, 6-7, 9, 17 & 22 are relevant
Management and Engineering to Module A.
This guide covers systems engineering
principles and practices as applicable to
railway train control and communications
systems.
Websites
19 ALARP “at a glance” An online guide explaining the concept of
https://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/theory/alarpglanc “reasonably practical” in a simple way.
e.htm

IRSE Exam Module A Reading List Page 2 of 3 Version 1 June 2020

Background reading
The following are recommended for candidates who want a wider perspective, or alternative
approaches to subjects covered in the essential reading list. However, nearly all the knowledge being
tested in the module A exam can be found in the essential reading list.

Ref Title Relevance

No.
Papers & Articles
1 Engineering Safety in Signalling Projects Good practice for management of signalling
IRSE News, Issue 212, June 2015 projects to ensure safety.
2 Professional Responsibility The IRSE Code of Professional Conduct
IRSE News, Issue 261, December 2019
Listed under Module A study resources at
https://www.irse.org/Qualifications-
Careers/Exam-Support-Resources/Module-A
Books & Study Guides
3 Study Guide for Module 1 – Safety of Covers the principles and practices
Railway Signalling and Communications associated with the safety of train control and
Listed under Module A study resources at communications systems.
https://www.irse.org/Qualifications-
Careers/Exam-Support-Resources/Module-A
4 Study Guide for Module 4 – Communications Covers the principles of operation of railway
Principles communication systems and sub-systems.
Listed under Module A study resources at
https://www.irse.org/Qualifications-
Careers/Exam-Support-Resources/Module-A
5 Study Guide for Module 5 – Signalling and Covers the application of signalling system
Control Equipment, Applications Engineering components at all stages of the system life-
Listed under Module A study resources at cycle, from specification to decommissioning.
https://www.irse.org/Qualifications-
Careers/Exam-Support-Resources/Module-A
6 IRSE Green Textbook – Railway Signalling, Chapters 1, 2, 7 & 9 are of particular
by O.S.Nock relevance.
ISBN 978-0-7136-2724-7 Deals in depth with signalling technology
Available at the IRSE Store from the 1980s.
7 Introduction to Railway Signalling Describes modern signalling equipment,
ISBN 978-0-902390-30-0 systems and practice. Does not cover
Available at the IRSE Store transmission-based signalling in any great
detail. Especially recommended as early
reading for candidates with little previous
knowledge of the subject.
8 Railway Telecommunications Textbook A comprehensive guide including details of
ISBN 978-0-902390-17-1 the background, infrastructure, equipment
Available at the IRSE Store and constraining elements of railway
telecommunications.
Websites & Downloads
9 International Engineering Safety Covers the fundamentals of engineering
Management Good Practice Handbook, safety management.
Volume 1: Principles and Process.
Available as a free download from
www.intesm.org
10 International Engineering Safety Only sections 7 and 8 (hazard identification
Management Good Practice Handbook, and risk assessment) and section 9 (safety
Volume 2: Methods, tools and techniques for requirements and safety integrity).
projects.
Available as a free download from
www.intesm.org

IRSE Exam Module A Reading List Page 3 of 3 Version 1 June 2020