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It would be perfectly possible to overlay axle counters on this connection to overcome a track circuit failure. This was done on Hong Kong MTR back in 1988 where a track circuit failure on a headshunt point would have stopped the job. Just need to add an ‘OR’ function in the interlocking...

Alongside and just to the west of Linford Strret Junction sees the Eurostar chord towards Waterloo. If you can zoom in to Google Earth in 3D you should be able to find it. Another way of describing it is where the Chatham Line is on the viaduct, the Relay Room is on the level of the line at...

Quite a few of the scheme plans I had got wet during location case surveys! I walked most of the scheme twice. I don’t remember old signal heads etc. being kept, it’s possible some predated the use of SL35 lamps as installed pre-war so incompatible with 1970’s standards. BR had already replaced...

The Victoria Area Resignalling Scheme (VARS) retained a number of signal structures from previous installations. They would have been 40 plus years old in the early 1980’s so 80 years old today and life expired. That may be the reason for replacements being installed. It’s also possible that...

Most narrow gauge lines still have predominately steam hauled passenger services, yes even the Ff&WHR where no scheduled diesel services are planned for 2024, and haven’t been for some years. Why? NG locos require considerably less fuel per passenger mile, even Garratt’s when hauling a ten car...

Audio frequency Jointless Track Circuits have been used under 25kV traction systems for many decades, however it will depend on the type of equipment installed. If Reed based, please replace (I was involved with these in the 1980’s), but I would expect with suitable changes to accommodate the...

The original 1980’s Victoria Area Resignalling had a GEC-General Signal Train Describer, ARS wasn't available at that date. The TD Contract was separated to the signalling works, also by GEC-General Signal.

I think (it’s been a long time ……….) that Flashing Aspects are strictly occulting indications. That means they switch to dark (hence occulting) so that if the flasher function fails the aspect reverts to a more restrictive steady yellow or double yellow as required. Others might be able to confirm.

For comparison, standard Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway services typically feature ten carriages comprising: eight 3rd Class Saloons, a Service Car plus the Pullman 1st Observation Car, providing approximately 300 seats.

Just a quick note About the ECML. Where SSI is installed, e.g. parts of the Peterborough area, York to Berwick and Edinburgh Waverley, the interlocking ‘cubicles’ can be replaced with compatable systems such as Westlock and Surelock without the need to change the trackside equipment. Both these...

As a side issue but related to signalling. I was involved a while back in work on the Oslo T-bane. At one station where a pair of crossovers were installed it was required to make the railway a bit quieter (lots of expensive houses nearby) with swing nose points being used. However there wasn’t...

What seems to be missing from this thread is the effect of regenerative braking from approaching trains pushing power back into the traction system to supplement power from the grid. This can never be 100% of course, the rules of physics leading to brake fade necessitating blended changeover...

That’s one of the advantages of the Ff&WHR Young Volunteers Training Week. Working with up to 40 young people between the ages of 14 and 16 with full supervision with both work and leisure activities included, this annual event has been popular for some decades. There are today quite a few...

A bit further away, but there are many opportunities to volunteer on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. The FR Societies website has a section on volunteering including low cost accommodation, do look at the section on the Young Volunteers Training Week. I first volunteered on the FR at...

A small tale from Edinburgh in 1976/1977 during the Edinburgh and East of Scotland Resignalling. A couple of signals on the approach to Waverley from the Princess Street Gardens has multi-lamp route indicators including displays for platforms 18 and 19. Platform 19 is a through line, 18 a short...

Ffestiniog Railway No. 16 from 1872 is probably the oldest carriage (coaches have rubber tyres) in regular service in the U.K., being used daily on the Woodland Wanderer service to Tan-y-Bwlch. Sister carriage No. 15 was repainted before lockdown in full original plum and white livery with gold...

The Central Line ATP/ATO is based on the system developed in the early/mid 1980’s for Singapore MRT. In Singapore there were two levels of inter station coasting, maximum coast being the default level. It was up to the Operations Control Centre supervisors to cut out coasting if required, but...

The bridge over the Afon Glaslyn between Minffordd and Porthmadog is also constructed in timber, it’s right alongside the bypass bridge (checkout Google Streetview). I think (others might confirm) that the Dovey river bridge between Dover Junction and Aberdovey is also timber, a quick Google...

AFAIK the ‘guard’ on the Cambrian also carries out revenue protection duties.

Westinghouse (and successors) use a version of BR930/Q series relays on board trains with their ATP systems such as Central and Victoria Lines and various other metros. These are usually the Emergency Brake Relay and Zero Velocity Relay and have different mounting arrangements due to the...