Train control defintions

Question 1

What is rule 1?

Answer 1

The first and most importanty duty of all rail personnel is to provide for the safety of rail personnel and the public.

Question 2

List four duties of a Train Controller

Answer 2

1. Direct the movement of all trains, rearrange crossings when necessary, and records such movements on the diagram.
2. Liaise, when necessary, with Operators concerning trains, crews, and locomotive requirements.
3. Maintains contact with roving shunters regarding shunting of trains and ensures enroute shunts are carried out.
4. Ensures that arrangements agreed with Operators Customer Service Centres are carried out.

Question 3

What are the six priorities for managing workload?

Answer 3

1. Respond to emergency and safety situations: Telephone emergency calls, radio alarms, faults affecting safety, speed restrictions etc.
2. Apply safety processes: Read-out/read-back of authorities and authorisations, application of protection etc.
3. Movement of premier and passenger trains or initiation of major block of line.
4. Movement of other trains.
5. Planned track maintenance using major plant/activity/resource.
6. Routine maintenance or inspections.

Question 4

3

What is a Daily Information Bulletin?

Answer 4

1. A lettered bulletin, which is used to identify the version if there it is up to date if there is a reissue.
2. Applies to the day of operation only.
3. It includes information on general daily instructions, running of extra trains, and maintenance work.

Question 5

3

What is a semi-permanent bulletin?

Answer 5

1. A numbered directive.
2. Contains instructions that will remain in force for more than several days.
3. Used to add, ammend, or delete a rule.

Question 6

4

What is a special bulletin?

Answer 6

1. A numbered instruction that
2. covers one or more days
3. for special circumstances for which a track and time permit is not suitable.
4. May also include rule modifications or details that are not incorporated on an information bulletin (details of a complicated Mis60).

Question 7

TLOWS

What information is entered at the bottom of the diagram?

Answer 7

1. Train number
2. Locomotive/s
3. Operator’s name
4. Weight and length
5. Shunts

Question 8

4

What is the right hand column of the diagram used for?

Answer 8

1. Sign on / off.
2. Reason / cause for delays.
3. Number of each SWA, Mis60, and manual Track Warrant that is in effect at shift handover.
4. Record any other comments that are required.

Question 9

What is the minimum time that must be visible on the diagram?

Answer 9

Last hour of completed events and the next four hours of planned/scheduled events.

Question 10

What are the following diagram conventions?

1. Signalling / radio outage.
2. Temporary speed restriction.
3. Level crossing on manual control.
4. Overhead power off.
5. Heat restrictions.
6. Severe weather.
7. Adverse weather.

Answer 10

1. Green highlighter.
2. Black pen with pink highlighter.
3. Pink highlighter.
4. Orange highlighter.
5. Yellow highlighter.
6. Blue highlighter.
7. Pink highlighter.

Question 11

MUSSL

What are sidings used for?

Answer 11

1. Marshalling
2. Unloading
3. Stabling
4. Storing
5. Loading

Question 12

What are catch points?

Answer 12

1. On the main line.
2. Used to derail / catch unauthorised vehicles on the main line.

Question 13

What are safety points?

Answer 13

1. On crossing loops and sidings.
2. Protect the main line from a train or vehicle accidentally passing beyond the limits of a loop or siding.

Question 14

What is a trap point?

Answer 14

1. Only in sidings.
2. Protect the main line or loop from a train or vehicle accidentally passing beyond the limits of the siding.

Question 15

What is a station entry board?

Answer 15

1. Provided in multi-line one directional areas where a signal is not available.
2. Provides a boundary for entry into an interlocked station for wrong line running.

Question 16

What is a block entry board?

Answer 16

1. Provided in multi-line one directional areas where a signal is not available.
2. Defines a boundary for entry into a block section for wrong line running.

Question 17

Define setting back?

Answer 17

A train movement that causes the rea most vehicle to move in the reverse direction to that which the train would normally travel.

Question 18

What is interlocking?

Answer 18

Points and signalling that are electrically or mechanically arranged so as to prevent conflicting train movements from being operated.

Question 19

What is an interlocked station?

Answer 19

A station where signalling is provided to prevent conflicting movements as shown on S&I diagrams

Question 20

How are station limits defined?

Answer 20

Includes all lines within the outer most signals, station entry boards or points on each line controlled by the Signaller for the station;

Note: Where fixed signals are not provided, station limits include all lines within the first facing points or Points Indicator met approaching the station on the main line from either direction or as otherwise defined on S&I diagrams

Question 21

What is a block section?

Answer 21

A single section of line between the limits of two adjoining interlocked stations or junctions.

Question 22

What are points?

Answer 22

A mechanical installation enabling trains to be guided from one track to another.

Question 23

What is the RORAP?

Answer 23

A document that provides us with rules and procedures that provide a safety framework to operate the railway.

Question 24

What is the Rail Operating Code

Answer 24

Explains how to apply the rules in the RORAP for specific tasks.

Question 25

Describe Section 10.1 Operating Instructions for Train Control

Answer 25

A book separate from the RORAP that provides operating instructions relating to Train Control.

Question 26

What are Local Network Instructions?

Answer 26

Provide instructions **specific** to a **geographical area.**