Electronic tubes for locomotives

Abstract

<dm:abstracts xmlns:dm="http://www.elsevier.com/xml/dm/dtd"><ce:abstract xmlns:ce="http://www.elsevier.com/xml/common/dtd" view="all" class="author" id="aep-abstract-id5"><ce:section-title>Publisher Summary</ce:section-title><ce:abstract-sec view="all" id="aep-abstract-sec-id6"><ce:simple-para id="fsabs045" view="all">This chapter discusses railway electrification. The benefits of using electrified lines for heavy traffic loadings are established and many countries now operate electric trains. The purpose of railway signalling is to control the passage of trains such that they may run at speed by maintaining a safe adequate distance between following trains and safeguarding their movement at junctions. Inherent in any system, therefore, must be the ability to detect the presence of all trains and vehicles and a means to ensure separation between them. The basis of modern signalling is the electrical track circuit to detect the presence not only of trains but also of single vehicles. Electric transmission is standard for high powered diesel locomotives. This system aids safety and operating by giving direct communication during all times without the need for drivers to leave their train and contact the control centre via signal post telephones. When stopped at a signal, a driver can send a data message by operation of a function key. The signalman can respond to this with the instruction by pressing a function key. This message is then displayed on the driver's display in his cab. The management processor is kept informed of train whereabouts by the signalling system and is thus able to identify each caller by the train running identity and pinpoint the location of the train.</ce:simple-para></ce:abstract-sec></ce:abstract></dm:abstracts>