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How does the older style signalling work in real life

You are here: Home > Forum > Miscellaneous > The real thing (signalling) > How does the older style signalling work in real life

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How does the older style signalling work in real life 03/02/2014 at 19:53 #54932
Muzer
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718 posts
Sorry if there is already a thread on this, or some other resource online - I did try to search but it's a rather hard thing to google.

How are the 1960s styles of signalling (turn-push/push-push/etc.) used in real life? I don't really know much about signalling at all - most things I know I've learnt from SimSig or visiting boxes on heritage railways. So that leaves a rather large gap in my knowledge for things in between mechanical boxes and modern day type things like SimSig emulates (not even sure what they're called!)

I'm asking about these because I've recently been playing more of the Western region sims (apart from Bristol only because its bugs get on my nerves) because they're plentiful, not too hard and I'm not unfamiliar with the area, and I've been starting to try Exeter and Westbury without TORR.

I'm guessing there is some interface to set a route from one signal to the next like in SimSig but with switches rather than a computer - or is it more basic than that? When a train passes, when do you unset the route (as soon as the signal goes to danger, or do you have to wait until the last track circuit in the route is occupied)? What happens if you don't?

In general, I've seen photos of the boards displaying the train headcodes, track circuits, routes, and signals (which seem to be broadly similar to SimSig's interface if slightly less clear), but not as much of the actual controls - I know some panels have the controls in the boards and some don't. In both cases, how are they actually used to set routes, cancel routes, interpose TDs, etc.?

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How does the older style signalling work in real life 03/02/2014 at 19:57 #54933
Stephen Fulcher
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2025 posts
This video is a good demonstration of how a Western Region 1960s panel is operated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76fAHAxv0Dw

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How does the older style signalling work in real life 03/02/2014 at 20:05 #54934
jc92
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3629 posts
it depends on the exact method. theres broadly three for power signalling:

1 - IFS, or individual function switch. as the name implies each switch works one function, eg a set of points, a signal or a ground frame release. so for instance you may have to flick switches 2 and 4 to set points, then switch 7 to clear the signal IF the route is set correctly. examples include Kiveton Park on Worksop Sim, and the old signalbox at Ferrybridge.

2 - OCS, or one control switch. in this case each switch sets one complete route, including all associated signals and points. so one signal may have 5 or 6 different switches depending on which route you want to set from it. examples include St. Pancras, York, Newcastle and Hull Paragon.

3 - NX, or entrance Exit. theres an entry button, and an exit button associated with each route. in this case you first push the entrance button, then the exit button and the panel subsequently sets the route.

thats a very basic overview and I'm sure other individuals will give you more detailed coverage of each.

"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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How does the older style signalling work in real life 03/02/2014 at 20:05 #54936
Andrew G
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548 posts
Have a look at this, it should answer your questions and many more.

http://bpsr.signallingnotices.org.uk/

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How does the older style signalling work in real life 03/02/2014 at 20:22 #54941
maxand
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1637 posts
If you go to the Links section in the Wiki you will find a number of useful references along with photo galleries and videos.
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