CTC

[Nick_Burman]

Hi all,

 

Looking at Ian Law's post about the Ichibata Dentetsu brought a question up...how are lines of similar nature dispatched? Do lines like the Ichibata have a full-time dispatcher sitting behind a board showing the whole line, or are the lines "self-dispatching", the block signalling and employee timetable being sufficient to rule train movements?

 

 

Cheers NB

[miyakoji]

I know I've seen pictures or video of it, but I'm finding nothing now.  On the Japanese wiki page for CTC, Ichibata is listed.  Comparable companies also listed are Kotoden and Iyo Railway.  Other smaller operations (listed on the page, anyway) are the Sangi Railway Hokusei line and the Yoro Railway's Yoro Line.  Whether they're staffed all the time, I don't know.

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%88%97%E8%BB%8A%E9%9B%86%E4%B8%AD%E5%88%B6%E5%BE%A1%E8%A3%85%E7%BD%AE

[bikkuri bahn]

Some lines are CTC controlled (perhaps the majority), but some still use "Automatic block system with Remote Control" (ARC), which has block panels located at stations with passing sidings.  This is the system used by Enoden, for example.  Apparently they are set up so they pretty much work automatically, without much human manipulation.

[marknewton]

The system used by Enoden is very similar to what we use here, where it's known rather cryptically as RVD - Rail Vehicle Detection. In the old days it was known as TBA - Track Block and Automatic, which was a little less obscure.

 

Here's two views of the local control panel at Helensburgh. It is normally switched out, but if a train needs to shunt, cross to the other running line or enter the branch to Metropolitan Colliery, the panel can be cut in, and the points and signals set as required by the operator. I deliberately took one photo without the flash so you can see the way the individual track sections are illuminated to indicate the route setting and track occupancy. When a route is set, the track sections show a (yellowish) white light, and when the track is occupied, they show red.

 

 

 

The other photo shows the panel at Waterfall, my home depot. This is normally switched in, as Waterfall is staffed continously.

 

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

 

Edited January 5, 2013 by marknewton