Signal box communication

[jamesst]

Something I've often wondered, how does modern signal box communication between power boxes/ rocs/ iecc centres?
In the case of a train running late or an incident is information automatically passed along or is it a simple case of using the phone? I'm assuming bell codes aren't used anymore?

 

[ptreanor]

Signalling centre / signalbox train describer systems (and their modern derivatives) are linked together, either directly or are networked in some way.

 

[Bald Rick]

Short version:

All signalboxes (of any type) have computer systems which show real time train running. Signallers keep an eye on this and watch out for anything running out of course. They also need to do this for variable traffic - specials, freight, test trains, engineering trains etc.

Bell codes are still used between boxes in absolute block areas for handing trains from one box to the next, but these are much fewer in number than a decade ago.

Incidents are largely managed over the phone with control. There is a live control logging system that provides real time updates.

 

[Sunset route]

For all types of train running it’s usually, including normal, late, specials and in most cases even diverted trains it’s just the train describer. Any train that I don’t have workings for then it’s CCF, shift manager, trust then control in that order. Very rarely have I phoned or been contacted by my neighbouring ASC/IECC/ROC as regards to train running. Everything else ie possessions, trespassers, faults etc, etc we use the direct box to box telephone lines.

 

[jamesst]

Thanks all!

 

[MarkyT]

Train describer (TD) systems have passed alphanumeric headcode descriptions between panel boxes automatically since the 1960s, but many panels also had emergency bells for communication if the early electronics and communication links failed to do this. You could often find an old wooden block bell instrument hidden inside the console as the sounder for this purpose! The network-wide computer systems Bald Rick describes take their information from the modern control centre TD systems, then aggregate, process and disseminate it to a variety of operational, management and information systems including cab radio switching, passenger information, and the open data feeds used by websites such as Realtime Trains. TDs are computer-based today, but are functionally the direct descendants of the early alphanumeric stepping train describers, many of which used telephone exchange type electro-mechanical technology, with relays, registers and selectors etc. Signallers today can search for trains heading towards their patch very widely, while older TDs only tended to include a small number of next train coming berths to cover each approach boundary.

 

[LAX54]

Train describer (TD) systems have passed alphanumeric headcode descriptions between panel boxes automatically since the 1960s, but many panels also had emergency bells for communication if the early electronics and communication links failed to do this. You could often find an old wooden block bell instrument hidden inside the console as the sounder for this purpose! The network-wide computer systems Bald Rick describes take their information from the modern control centre TD systems, then aggregate, process and disseminate it to a variety of operational, management and information systems including cab radio switching, passenger information, and the open data feeds used by websites such as Realtime Trains. TDs are computer-based today, but are functionally the direct descendants of the early alphanumeric stepping train describers, many of which used telephone exchange type electro-mechanical technology, with relays, registers and selectors etc. Signallers today can search for trains heading towards their patch very widely, while older TDs only tended to include a small number of next train coming berths to cover each approach boundary.

Indeed, and we (Colchester) still have block bells for use when the TD's fail, and also when we are 3.5 working in the Autumn, as 'MarkyT' says, it's an old standard AB block bell, in our case sitting on the floor behind the panel front, tested everyday at 10:00. Our Block Bells are to Bury, Crown Point and Trowse Bridge.