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Automatic block signaling (ABS), spelled automatic block signalling or called track circuit block (TCB [1]) in the UK, is a railroad communications system that consists of a series of signals that divide a railway line into a series of sections, called blocks. The system controls the movement of trains between the blocks using automatic signals.
To clip and scotch a set of railway points (Amer. a switch) uses two pieces of equipment to temporarily lock a set of points into a particular position. [1] The point clip clamps the end of a moving rail (the switch rail ) of a set of points to its associated stock rail , and the scotch is a timber wedge used to ensure that the other moving ...
D-ATC indicator used on the E233 series trains. The digital ATC system uses the track circuits to detect the presence of a train in the section and then transmits digital data from wayside equipment to the train on the track circuit numbers, the number of clear sections (track circuits) to the next train ahead, and the platform that the train will arrive at.
The basic principle is that a track is broken up into a series of sections or "blocks". Only one train may occupy a block at a time, [citation needed] and the blocks are sized to allow a train to stop within them. [1] That ensures that a train always has time to stop before getting dangerously close to another train on the same line.
Track circuits can automatically detect some types of track defect such as a broken rail. In the event of power restoration after a power failure, an axle counted section is left in an undetermined state until a train has passed through the affected section. A track circuited section immediately detects the presence of a train in section.
Railway interlocking is of British origin, where numerous patents were granted. In June 1856, John Saxby received the first patent for interlocking switches and signals. [2] [3]: 23–24 In 1868, Saxby (of Saxby & Farmer) [4] was awarded a patent for what is known today in North America as “preliminary latch locking”.
Spring spikes or elastic rail spikes [25] are used with flat-bottomed rail, baseplates and wooden sleepers. The spring spike holds the rail down and prevents tipping and also secures the baseplate to the sleeper. [26] The Macbeth spike (trade name) is a two-pronged U-shaped staple-like spike bent so that it appears M-shaped when viewed from the ...
It automatically locks the couplers on cars or locomotives together without a rail worker having to get between the cars, and replaced the link and pin coupler, which was a major cause of railroad worker injuries and deaths. The locking pin that ensures Janney couplers remain fastened together is withdrawn manually by a worker using the "cut ...