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0 pointsmikebos4y ago0 comments

It has nothing to do with safety it's pure a who is where system.

0 comments

Which on a train system is paramount for safety, otherwise you'd have trains crashing into each other because they're on the same track.

markus924y ago

Different system, that'd be the switches/signalling. Freight and international trains were running just fine, safely. This was literally just planning which train (rolling stock) is going to operate which train (ride) with which personnel.

Safety could be related to duty times, or making sure the rolling stock is fit for a certain trajectory (maximum platform length, weight restrictions etc.)

HowTheStoryEnds4y ago

No the section a train is on is automatically and mechanically secured by the lights on the section ahead and afterwards. (2 sections if you count the yellow warning lights)

VBprogrammer4y ago

Unless they are operating a dynamic block system like the channel tunnel lines and other high speed lines across Europe. Anything that runs over 125mph (or has to mix with traffic which does) isn't using block signalling.

iggldiggl4y ago

True dynamic block ("moving block") still isn't that widespread, at least as far main line railways are concerned. High-speed lines are still by far and large using fixed block signalling with conventional train detection (track circuits or axle counters), it's just that the movement authority is given via some sort of cab signalling.

jtwaleson4y ago

Curious why “who is where” is unrelated to safety? You mean it doesn’t affect the signaling?

mpol4y ago

Signaling is on a separate system. There is ATB-EG/ATB-NG for max speed and there is ATB-Vv for stopping for red lights.

Part of train history in the Netherlands is the train disaster at Harmelen in 1962 where 93 people died. It spurred the installation of these systems. Every time there is even a minor accident with a train, the national governement is asking questions, up to the highest level. For contrast, every time a child dies in traffic, only the local government (gemeente) asks questions. It is considered completely unacceptable for a train accident to involve more than 2 deaths, it seems. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmelen_train_disaster

mikebosOP4y ago

There are several systems all with specific functions.

ProRail the infra manager has all the systems related to safety and long term planning. Think air traffic control to keep it simple.

NS has all the systems for communication with passengers and personnel and train movement (planning). Think airliner.

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