NETWORK RAIL
Western
(for the use of authorised railway staff only)
NOTICE TO TRAINCREWS, ETC.
CAMBRIAN LINES ERTMS SIGNALLING
Stage 2
Signalling and permanent way alterations
affecting the working of the lines between
SUTTON BRIDGE JUNCTION AND ABERYSTWYTH
ALSO
DOVEY JUNCTION AND PWLLHELI
This notice supersedes NR/GW/15 Version C
to apply from
00.01 Saturday 19th February2011
- 1–
Signalling and permanent way alterations affecting the working of the lines between Sutton Bridge Junction and Aberystwyth
also Dovey Junctionand Pwllheli
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE SCHEME
This notice contains details of signalling and permanent way alterations in connection with the introduction of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) ‘in-cab’ level 2 signalling system and hourly service enhancement works on the Cambrian lines.
The diagrams supplied with this notice show the new signalling arrangements. The diagrams also contain an explanation of the symbols used. A full description of the new lineside signs is also shown in Rule Book Module S6 ERTMS.
METHOD OF WORKING TRAINS
The Regulations for Train Signalling and General Working Instructions for lines controlled by the Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) system on Cambrian lines will be withdrawn including the Track Circuit Block working between Machynlleth and Dovey junction. Machynlleth signal box will be closed.
Machynlleth Signalling Centre (SC) will take over signalling control of all Cambrian lines from the transition point near Sutton Bridge Junction. Rule Book TS10 ERTMS Level 2 train signalling regulations will apply.
Only trains fitted with ERTMS on-board equipment are permitted to enter an ERTMS Level 2 area. Any unfitted trains that enter the area concerned must be hauled by an ERTMS fitted class 97 locomotive.
LINESIDE SIGNAGE
Block Markers
Retro-reflective block markers will be provided at locations along the route shown on the accompanying diagrams. They will have an ID plate showing the prefix MH (Machynlleth) and a unique number.
Shunt Entry boards
Retro-reflective shunt entry boards mark the entry to a shunt route and also indicate to the driver when a train is clear of points.
Mile posts
Existing mile posts will be retained. All distance measurements will remain in miles, chains and yards.
Continued…..
LINESIDE SIGNAGE (Continued…)
Cab signalling boards
A down direction ‘start of cab signalling’ board will be provided at the transition point at 1m 49ch after passing Sutton Bridge Junction. ‘Start of cab signalling’ boards are also provided at the entrance to ERTMS controlled lines from yards and sidings.
End of Cab signalling board
An up direction ‘end of cab signalling’ board is located at the transition point at 1m 59ch on the approach to Sutton Bridge Junction.
SIGNALLING ALTERATIONS
The following equipment associated with RETB signalling will be recovered:
- AWS inductors and cancelling indicators
- TPWS Over Speed and Train Stop Sensors
- STOP boards
- NRN Channel change boards
- Points indicators
- Fixed distant boards
- Level crossing speed restriction boards
- Station and engineering limit boards
- Plug points for telephones
Train detection using axle counters will be provided on all running lines throughout the ERTMS signalled area.
Existing ground frames will be retained except at Talerddig where points to and from the siding will be directly controlled by power operated points worked from MachynllethSC. Release of other ground frames will be provided by the signaller at MachynllethSC.
Transition border
A TPWS Train Stop Sensor (TSS) is provided at 1m 49ch in the down direction. This TSS is suppressed when a Movement Authority (MA) is issued to an ERTMS fitted train. The TSS is armed when a MA has not been received by the train or an unfitted unit or locomotive attempts to enter the ERTMS level 2 area at the ‘start of cab signalling’ board.
GW733 SUTTON BRIDGE JUNCTION TO ABERYSTWYTH
Westbury
Block markers will be provided in each direction near Westbury Level crossing (AHBC) to divide the section between Sutton Bridge Junction and Welshpool.
Welshpool and Fron Junction
The former loop at Welshpool will be extended to become a new double track section from Welshpool to Fron Junction at 36m 57ch. The points at each end of the double track section will be power operated and routes are provided in either direction on both lines.
Continued…..
SIGNALLING ALTERATIONS (Continued…)
Newtown
The points at both ends of the station will remain train-operated hydro-pneumatic types and can be driven through in the trailing direction. The points will be detected by the signalling system for facing direction movements. The points will be converted to power operation at a later date.
Signalled routes to other than the usual direction platform line, i.e. down movements to the up platform loop or up movements to the down platform loop, will be provided at a later date.
Talerddig
The points will be converted to power operation and routes are provided in either direction through the both loop lines. Movements to and from the up siding will become fully signalled and new axle counter sections are provided.
Machynlleth
Routes will be provided in either direction through both loop lines. Movements from the Aberystwyth siding to the running line are controlled by position light signals. Movements from Aberystwyth siding to the tank siding and vice versa are also controlled by position light signals.
All existing semaphore and colour light signals at Machynlleth will be recovered and mechanically operated points will be converted to power operation.
Between Machynlleth and Dovey Junction
All existing colour light signalling will be recovered.
Dovey Junction
A new loop called the Down Dovey Loop will be brought into use adjacent to the Up and Down Aberystwyth single line. This loop will be signalled for trains in either direction. Trains can call at Dovey Junction station either after or before using the new loop.
Borth
A route will be available in both down and up directions to an ‘End of Authority’ (EoA) at 89m 5ch between Borth Capel Soar LC (AOCL) and Llandre LC (ABCL) to divide the section between Dovey Junction and Aberystwyth. Lineside block markers will not be provided and the EoA will be indicated (when necessary) in the driving cab only.
Aberystwyth
Signalling will be provided to allow more than one train in the platform using OS mode. However this is not currently authorised and may only be used when permission is given as described in the Rule Book, TW1, Section 12.2.
Continued…..
SIGNALLING ALTERATIONS (Continued…)
GW734 DOVEY JUNCTION TO PWLLHELI
Tywyn, Barmouth and Harlech
The points at both ends of these stations will remain train-operated hydro-pneumatic types and can be driven through in the trailing direction. The points will be detected by the signalling system for facing direction movements. The points will be converted to power operation at a later date.
Signalled routes to other than the usual direction platform line, i.e. down movements to the up platform loop or up movements to the down platform loop, will be provided at a later date.
Porthmadog
The points at both ends of this station have already been converted to power operation and routes are provided in the up direction to either loop line. In the down direction routes are only provided to the up loop line for shunting movements.
Pwllheli
Signalling is provided to allow more than one train in the platform using OS mode. However this is not currently authorised and may only be used when permission is given as described in the Rule Book, TW1, Section 12.2.
PERMANENT WAY ALTERATIONS
The loop lines at Welshpool will be extended by approximately four miles to become a new double line section to a new junctioncalled Fron Junction located at 36m 57ch.
New connections will replace the current points at Talerddig giving a higher permissible speed towards theloop lines.
A new loop, to be known as the Down Dovey Loop, will be provided on the Aberystwyth side of Dovey Junction adjacent to the Up and Down Aberystwyth single line.
WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAY
A flat crossing has already been provided near Porthmadog at 119m 50ch. At this location the narrow gauge Welsh Highland Railway (WHR) crosses the Cambrian Line on the level.
WHR and Cambrian lines signalling is interlocked and authority to release the crossing to the WHR is provided by the Machynlleth signaller.
Continued…..
PERMISSIBLE SPEEDS
Existing mph speed signs including level crossing speed restriction boards, will generally be removed as train speed is controlled by ERTMS during normal working. All mph speed measurements will be converted to kilometres per hour (km/h) and rounded to the nearest 5 km/h.
Details of revised permissible speeds will be shown in amended Sectional Appendix, Table A pages and published in the Weekly Operating Notice.
Degraded working speed restriction signs will be provided for speeds lower than 80 km/h. A sign will be provided at the start of each restriction indicating the permissible speed applicable. An 80 km/h sign will be provided at the end of each restriction, or series of restrictions, as appropriate.
Some of the degraded working speed signs show differential speeds: the upper figure (slower speed) applies to all trains, the bottom figure (higher speed) applies to Class 15x trains only.
Km/h speed signs are a roundel with white numbers on a black background with a red border around the circumference.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Lineside telephones in the ERTMS Level 2 area will provide users with direct communication to the signaller at MachynllethSC.
Global System for Mobile Communications – Railways (GSM-R)
GSM-R is a secure system and will be the primary means of communication with drivers and for stopping trains in an emergency withinthe ERTMS Level 2 area. The system will be connected to a fixed terminal at MachynllethSC. Fixed terminals are also provided in the South Wales Control Centre at Cardiffand at Swindon Integrated Control Centre.
GSM-R boards will be provided at the transition point near Sutton Bridge Junction as follows :
- commencement board at ‘start of cab signalling’ board
- exit board approximately 80 yards beyond the ‘end of cab signalling’ board
Instructions for the use of GSM-R are shown in the Sectional Appendix, General Instructions.
National Radio Network (NRN)
A new up direction NRN channel board (065) will be brought into use and situated at the ‘end of cab signalling’ board.
All communications with MachynllethSC will be recorded.
Continued…..
LEVEL CROSSINGS
Approaching ABCL and AOCL level crossings
New level crossing sighting boards will be provided as described in Rule Book TW8 ERTMS.
Llanidloes Road LC (MCB) – 52m 70ch
Caersws LC (MCG) – 53m 51ch
These crossing keeper boxes will be closed and the crossing keepers withdrawn. All associated semaphore signalling, AWS inductors, cancelling indicators and crossing gates / barriers will be recovered.
The level crossings will be converted to full barrier status and supervised remotely by the signaller at MachynllethSC using closed circuit television (CCTV).
Weig LaneLC (AOCL) – 54m 26ch
All associated line side signs including drivers crossing indicators will be recovered.
The level crossing will be converted to full barrier status and supervised remotely by the signaller at MachynllethSC using closed circuit television (CCTV).
Temple PointFor Area General Manager
BRISTOLWales & Marches
January 2011Ref : TS/Cambrian
Tel : 085 80231