Electrical Block Instruments and Bell Signals

Electrical Block Instruments

• No one can operate electrical block instruments without a competency certificate, granted by a railway servant, valid for three years
• If an electrical block instrument, track circuit, or axle counter fails, Line Clear shall be obtained through the electrical communication instruments
• If the electrical block instruments, track circuits or axle counters or their electric connections fail, Line Clear shall be obtained through the electrical communication instruments
• A written authority to proceed must describe the failure and be made in the Train Signal Register
• The Principal, Zonal Railway Training Institute, Moula-ali is in charge of issuing the competency certificates

Bell Signals

• Bell signals are used for communication between block stations
• The codes and their meanings are displayed at each block station
• Six pause one bell code means "Stop and examine train"
• Sixteen bell code means "Testing"

Station Master Responsibility

• The Station Master is responsible for operating electrical block instruments and ensuring the correct implementation of bell signals and communication instruments
• The Station Master shall ensure the tokens are surrendered by the Loco Pilot before an outgoing token is delivered
• The Station Master is responsible for ensuring that the token is put in the electrical block instrument immediately upon receiving it
• The Station Master is responsible for ensuring that no one except authorized personnel opens the electrical block instruments
• The Station Master shall be responsible to ensure that no one but himself operates the electrical block instruments

Token Procedures

• A token shall not be taken out of an electrical block instrument earlier than necessary, and its number shall be recorded in the Train Signal Register
• The Station Master shall retain the token until it is issued to a Loco Pilot or returned to the instrument
• Upon arrival of the train at the block station, the Loco Pilot shall surrender the token in accordance with special instructions
• If a train must return to the block station from which it started, the token shall be replaced in the electrical block instrument

Intermediate Block Post

• If the electrical block instruments or the track circuiting fail at an Intermediate Block Post, the Intermediate Block Stop signal shall be treated as defective
• The Intermediate Block Post shall be deemed to be closed, and the section between the stations on either side of the Intermediate Block Post shall be treated as one block section
• If a train passes the Intermediate Block Stop signal at "on," the Station Master must notify the relevant personnel and make entries in the Train Signal Register

Authority to Proceed

• An authority to proceed shall not be given to the Loco Pilot until the prescribed procedure has been followed
• An authority to proceed shall be given only by the Station Master or by a designated railway servant
• The Station Master must ensure the authority to proceed is accurate, complete, and signed in full and in ink
• The Station Master must not give an authority to proceed to the Loco Pilot until the entire train has arrived and is clear of the running line
• If multiple engines are coupled, the authority to proceed shall be given to the Loco Pilot of the leading engine
• All messages and written authorities to proceed must be written in ink and signed by the authorized person
• No message or written authority to proceed shall be written out until necessary
• No part of any message shall be dispatched or acted upon until the whole message has been written out, except in cases of accidents or emergencies

Line Clear Tickets

• When electrical block instruments are unavailable or malfunctioning, Line Clear Tickets are used to provide authority to proceed
• Line Clear Tickets should be in the prescribed form and format
• When a Line Clear has been cancelled, no train shall leave in the opposite direction until a message is received confirming the cancellation and the detained status of the train for which the Line Clear was given
• The Loco Pilot shall not take his train from a station without a Line Clear Ticket properly signed by the Station Master
• An authority to proceed shall not be given to the Loco Pilot until the prescribed procedure has been followed
• In case of failure or non-provision of electrical block instruments, the authority to proceed is a Line Clear Ticket.
• The Line Clear ticket must be in the form of Form No. T/C 1425, issued under special instruction

Electrical Block Instruments

• Operators of electrical block instruments must hold a certificate of competency issued by the Railway Administration.
• The certificate is valid for three years or a longer period as determined by special instructions.
• The Principal of the Zonal Railway Training Institute, Moula-ali is responsible for issuing the certificate.

Bell Code Signals

• A bell code system is used for signalling trains.
• Each signal has a unique code consisting of a number of strokes or beats.
• Signals must be acknowledged by sending the correct code.
• If a station does not reply, the signal should be repeated every 20 seconds until a reply is received.

Train Signal Register (TSR)

• A Train Signal Register must be kept by the Station Master.
• All signals received or sent are recorded in the TSR, along with the time of receipt or dispatch.
• Entries in the TSR are made in ink and any corrections are made by drawing a line through the incorrect entry and writing the correct information above it.
• The Station Master responsible for the TSR is accountable for all entries.
• The Station Master who initiates Line Clear for a train remains on duty until the "Train out of block section" signal is given and acknowledged.
• When Station Masters change duty, a line is drawn across the TSR with both Station Masters signing and entering the time.
• If a train is working on line, both Station Masters must initial the entries made in the TSR.
• Similar procedures are applicable in case of accidents, engine failures, OHE failures etc.

Authority to Proceed

• Loco Pilots must obtain authorization before moving their trains.
• Authorization can be obtained through various methods:
  • Taking 'off' of the last Stop signal on a double line.
  • Receiving a token for the block section on a single line.
  • Receiving a Line Clear Ticket signed by the Station Master on a single line.
  • Using a document prescribed by special instructions on a single line.
  • Taking 'off' of the last Stop signal on sections with tokenless electrical block instruments, track circuits or axle counters.
• Loco Pilots must ensure they have the correct authority to proceed, including verifying that the authority is in writing, complete, and duly signed if applicable.

Closing the Block Section

• The block section must be closed after a train has passed through or the cause of blockage has been removed.
• This is achieved by the block station in advance by giving the prescribed bell code signal.
• Tokens are handled in accordance with special instructions when a train arrives at the block station.

Failure of Electrical Block Instruments, Track Circuits, or Axle Counters

• If electrical block instruments, track circuits or axle counters fail, Line Clear must be obtained through electrical communication instruments.
• A written authority to proceed, with a note about the failed equipment, is issued in such cases.

Intermediate Block Post (IBP)

• An IBP is a signaling point located between two stations.
• If the electrical block instruments, track circuiting or axle counters at an IBP fail, the IBP is considered closed and the entire section between the two stations becomes one block section.
• Specific indications are provided at IBPs to indicate the passage of trains and potential blockages.
• The K1 indicator appears and an audible alarm sounds when a train passes the IBP at 'on.'
• In the event of a train entering an occupied blockage section, the Station Master notifies relevant personnel and issues necessary orders to ensure safe operation.
• The indication disappears upon the restoration of normal circuits.