Railway Signalling

Presented By: Saad Faraz

Designation: Assistant Signal & Telecom Engineer

Organisation: Pakistan Railways

Dated: 24th Aug, 2023

 Railway Signalling System
• Trains Movement Control
– Running lines
– In case of equipment failure
• Maintain a Safe Distance
– Trains running on the same line in the same
direction
• Increase Efficiency
– Reduces the Travelling Time of Trains
– Reduces the Human effort/involvement
– Increase Line Capacity
• Maintain
– Sectional Speed of Trains
• Trains Protection
– Converging Junctions
• Directional Indications
– Diverging Junctions
 Types of Signalling System
• Mechanical Signalling
– Signals are Arm-Typed Semaphore
– Operation of Points & Signals via Levers
– Interlocking via Levers
 Types of Signalling System
• Electrical Signalling
– Signals are Colour Light & Position Light
– Aspects are Green-Proceed, Yellow-Caution & Red-Danger
– Operation of Points & Signals via Electricity
– Interlocking via Track Circuit Relays
 Types of Signalling System

• Electromechanical Signalling
– Signals are Arm-Typed
Colour LightSemaphore
& Position Light
– Aspects are 90˚-Danger
Green-Proceed,
(Stop),
Yellow-Caution
45˚-Lowered&(Proceed)
Red-Danger
– Operation of Points via
& Signals
Leversvia Electricity
– Operation
Interlocking
of via
Signals
Trackvia
Circuit
Relays
Relays
& Levers
– Interlocking via Levers as well as Relays
 Types of Signalling System
• Electrical Signalling
– Signals are Arm-Typed Semaphore
– Aspects are 90˚-Danger (Stop), 45˚-Lowered (Proceed)
– Operation of Points via Levers Frames
– Operation of Signals via Relays
– Interlocking via Lever Frames as well as Relays
 What is a Signal?

• A sign of instruction for a

train driver either to proceed

the operation of train or stop

it.
 Types of Signals

Signal Types

Hand & Banner Flag Fog or Detonating

Fixed

Semaphore Arm Type Colour Light Position Light

Warner, Outer, Home, Starter, Shunt, Call-ON, Junction

Advance Starter, Gate, Indicator, Platform
Repeater Indicator
 Types of Signals
• Fixed Type

– Provided at Fixed Location

– Provided at entry and exits of Stations

– Provided in Block Sections (Colour Light)

• Hand & Banner Flag

– For Shunting Purpose

• Day Time (Red or Green Flag)

• Night Time (Red or Green Hand Signal Lamp)

– Temporary Engineering Restriction Banner

• Fog or Detonating

– Poor Visibility of a Signal due to Thick Foggy weather conditions

– Fixed on rail

– Blasts when pressed by engine wheels

– Attains Driver attention

 Types of Signals
• Fixed Type
– At Fixed Location
– Provided at Stations & Block Sections
– Further Three Types
• Semaphore Arm Type & Colour Light
– Outer, Warner, Home, Starter, Advance Starter, Repeater, Calling –
ON, Co-Acting, Gate Signal

• Position Light
» Shunt, Junction Indicator, Platform Indicator
 Types of Fixed Signals
• Semaphore Arm Type
– Aspects are Semaphore Arms
– Provided at fixed locations
– 90˚for Danger (Stop), 45˚for Lowered (Proceed)
 Types of Fixed Signals
• Colour Light
– Aspects are different colours
– Provided at stations yard
– Provided in Block Sections in case Auto Block Signalling
– Red for Danger (Stop), Green for Clear (Proceed), Yellow for Caution
 Types of Fixed Signals
• Position Light
– Aspects are two or more White lights
– Provided at big yards, junctions for shunting purpose
– Train speed should be 10km/hr or less
 Types of Semaphore & Colour Light Signals
Aspects of Starter Signal
Warner Signal Semaphore Colour Light

1. A Distant Signal
2. Provided at Converging Points
3. Located at 15 Mtrs from First
Facing Point

Loop
Mainline
Line
 Types of Semaphore & Colour Light Signals

• Outer Signal
– First Stop Signal
– Located at 400 Mtrs (Double Line), 580
Mtrs (Single Line) from First Facing
Point
– Located at 1200 Mtrs from Sighting
Distance Board
 Types of Semaphore & Colour Light Signals

• Home Signal
– Second Stop Bracketed Signal
– Mainline signal is at height from Loop
line
– Located at 15 Mtrs from First Facing
Point
 Types of Semaphore & Colour Light Signals
Aspects of Starter Signal
Starter Signal Semaphore Colour Light

1. Third Stop Signal

2. Provided at Converging Points
3. Located at 15 Mtrs from First
Facing Point

Loop
Mainline
Line
 Types of Semaphore & Colour Light Signals
Aspects of Starter Signal
Advance Starter Signal Semaphore Colour Light

1. Fourth/Last Stop Signal

2. Provided at Converging Points
3. Located at 15 Mtrs from First
Facing Point

Loop
Mainline
Line
 Types of Semaphore & Colour Light Signals
Aspects of Starter Signal
Calling-ON Signal Semaphore Colour Light

1. Third Stop Signal

2. Provided at Converging Points
3. Located at 15 Mtrs from First
Facing Point

Loop
Mainline
Line
 Types of Semaphore & Colour Light Signals
Aspects of Starter Signal
Repeater Signal Semaphore Colour Light

1. Third Stop Signal

2. Provided at Converging Points
3. Located at 15 Mtrs from First
Facing Point

Loop
Mainline
Line
 Types of Semaphore & Colour Light Signals
Aspects of Starter Signal
Co-Acting Signal Semaphore Colour Light

1. Third Stop Signal

2. Provided at Converging Points
3. Located at 15 Mtrs from First
Facing Point

Loop
Mainline
Line
 Types of Semaphore & Colour Light Signals
Aspects of Starter Signal
Gate Signal Semaphore Colour Light

1. Third Stop Signal

2. Provided at Converging Points
3. Located at 15 Mtrs from First
Facing Point

Loop
Mainline
Line
 Types of Semaphore & Colour Light Signals
Aspects of Starter Signal
Shunt Signal Semaphore Colour Light

1. Third Stop Signal

2. Provided at Converging Points
3. Located at 15 Mtrs from First
Facing Point

Loop
Mainline
Line
 Types of Semaphore & Colour Light Signals
Aspects of Starter Signal
Starter Signal Semaphore Colour Light

1. Third Stop Signal

2. Provided at Converging Points
3. Located at 15 Mtrs from First
Facing Point

Loop
Mainline
Line
 Types of Semaphore & Colour Light Signals
Aspects of Starter Signal
Junction Indicator Semaphore Colour Light

1. Third Stop Signal

2. Provided at Converging Points
3. Located at 15 Mtrs from First
Facing Point

Loop
Mainline
Line
 Types of Semaphore & Colour Light Signals
Aspects of Starter Signal
Platform Indicator Semaphore Colour Light

1. Third Stop Signal

2. Provided at Converging Points
3. Located at 15 Mtrs from First
Facing Point

Loop
Mainline
Line