Briefly describe the following:

Q1: How layout of stations and yards are done in railway engineering?

Ans: During the initial development of station layout, cable routes are planned. These are based
on estimated quantities and known major plant locations, i.e., switchhouse, control rooms and
plant areas. Although the first consideration in station layout is the economical disposition of
plant and minimum civil works' costs, cabling space provision must be adequate and cabling
needs catered for.

The most important of these needs is that the routes must be available with unobstructed access
as early as possible. This implies being able to include them in the early phase of civil
construction, with minimum dependence on steelwork and plant erection. One way to achieve
this is to locate them in basement areas or tunnels. The alternative of locating them below
operating floor level, provides an acceptable technical alternative especially at estuarine stations
where tunnels are costly. It is also important to provide cable routes which are as short and
simple as possible. To this end, basement cable routes, with electrical plant at ground level,
should be designed into the layout.

 Classification Based on operational characteristics

Wayside Station Layout:

Junction Station Layout:

Yards:
Station yards systems of tracks laid within limits for various purposes like receiving, storing,
making up trains etc. over which movement of trains is controlled by prescribed rules,
regulations and signals.

Layout of different types of yards:

Layout of yard done keeping in view of the following

 Pattern of Traffic
 Topography & availability of land.
 Economy, both in capital and recurring costs.
 Flexibility, ensuring maximum simultaneous movements without sacrificing safety.
 Safety
 Room for further expansion
Q2: How signalization and navigation is done in railway transportation?

ANS: SIGNALLING:
Signaling is a device by which the movement of the train is controlled.
PURPOSE OF SIGNALLING:
 Operating rail traffic safely, speedily and economically.
 Increasing line capacity.
 Providing systems on safe principles.
 Preventing conflicting movements of trains.
 Ensuring adequate interval of space between following trains or those which can cross or
approach each other’s path.
Classification of signals is based on following:
 Function
 Location
 Purpose
 Operation
Controlling signals

Which are mandatory to observe for train movement.

Indicating signals

Correspond to the traffic signs of highways. Also mandatory to observe.

Warning signals

They provide a pre-hand warning to the driver about the controlling gsignals ahead. These only
enhance the efficiency and provide a further safety caution.
STOP SIGNAL

 The normal position of the signal is horizontal & it can be lowered at an angle of 45o to
60o with horizontal by pulling the wire from the signal cabin. In the horizontal position,
the signal indicates the “danger stop” & it is said “on position”. When the arm is in
inclined position it indicates “clear-proceed” & is said in “off-position”.
 In the night, the light of the lamp passing through the spectacles gives signals. Thus red
light indicates danger and green light indicates clear.
 The length and width of arm vary from 120-167 cm and 23-35 cm respectively. The outer
end of the arm is about 2.45 cm. Broader than that of the hinged end It is placed on the
left hand side of the direction of movement of train. The side of the arm facing the driver
is painted red with white band near the end. The other side is painted white with
blackbands7.67 m.

WARNER SIGNAL

These signals are similar to stop signals with the exception that at their free end V notch is cut to
distinguish it from stop signals. Signals placed ahead of the stop signals to warn the driver before
entering the station. Warner signals are placed generally at about 540 m away from the stop
signals.

SIGNAL INDICATIONS

Inclined Position: Track is clear and driver can proceed with confidence
Horizontal Position: Driver can take his train upto stop signal cautiously.

DISC SIGNAL

These are shunting signals which are used for low speed movements during shunting operations.
They consist ofcircular discs with red bands on white background.

SIGNAL INDICATIONS

When Red band is Horizontal: Stop

When Red band is Inclined: Proceed

COLORED LIGHT SIGNALS

These are automatic signals & give indications by electric lights both during the day as well as in
night.The signals are provided with green, yellow and red light. These signals are provided with
special lenses & hoods to emit beam of light, which can be visible from a long distance even
during the day.
OPERATIONAL SIGNAL

Fixed.
(a) Semaphore.

(b) Colour light

OUTER SIGNAL

This is Warner signal for the driver which gives the indication of the position ahead whether the
platform is clear or not. A certain distance is required to bring a moving train to halt. This
distance depends upon the speed of the train, its weight, brake power of the locomotive etc. Thus
the first signal is provided at this distance beyond the station limit, that is why it is know as outer
signal.

Signals according to the location:

i. Home Signals

After the outer signal towards station there is a stop signal and exactly placed at the station limit
is called home or stopsignal. Its main function is to protect the stations. The permission to enter
the platform is given by the operation of this signal.
 ii. Stater Signals

This signal is provided at the forward end of platform and controls the movement of the train as
they leave the station. It gives permission to the train to leave the platform for next station. No
train can leave the platform unless this signal is lowered, that is why it is called starter signal. A
separate signal is provided for each line

iii. Advance Stater Signals

The limit of a station section lies between the home signal and the advance starter signal. The
signal which allows the train to enter in block section is called advance starter signal. It is always
placed beyond the outer most set of the point connections
 iv. Routing Signal

When many branch lines diverge in different directions from the main line, it is very difficult to
provide individual lsignal for each line at the divergent point. In such situations, various signals
for main line and branch lines are fixed on the same vertical post. These signals are called
routing signal.

v. Repeating Signal

When the view of the main signal is obstructed due to some structures or on curves etc. some
signals are used torepeat the information of the main signal. Such signal are know as repeating
signal.

vi. Calling on Signal

These signals are similar to semaphore signal, but they are smaller in size and are fixed on the
same post below the main signals. A calling on signal permits a train to proceed with caution
after the train has been brought to halt by the main signal. These are helpful when repair works
are going on.

Q:3 For the construction of circular rail track in Karachi, What are the
different methods of construction of track that can be used?

ANS: There are three main types for the construction of railway track

1. Mechanical Method

2. Tramline Method

3. Telescopic Method

Telescopic Method of Construction of Railway Track:

In this method, rails, sleepers and fastenings are unloaded from the material train as close to the
rail head as possible. The sleepers are carried by carts or men along the adjoining service road
and spread on the ballast. The rails are then carried on pairs to the end of last pair of connected
rails and linked.

To carry rails manually over a long distance is a tedious job. So certain carriers called Anderson
rail. Carriers are used to carry rails to the ends of the rail head.

It can also take rails up to a head last pair linked with the help of temporary track consisting of
3" x 3" angle irons of the same length as rails and fastened to the sleepers.

A further consignment of the material is deposited at the advances rails head and the procedure is
repeated.
Tramline Method Railway Track Construction:

This method is used where tram carrier are installed for carrying earthwork or in rainy season
due to difficulty in movement of cart. Some tramline is established on with a gauge of 2'-2'-6".
The basic difference between this and telescopic method lies in the conveyance and spreading of
the sleepers.

The track can be assembled at more than one points simultaneously, which is the great advantage
of this method. Sometimes an additional track is laid on the side of existing track for which this
method is best.

Mechanical Method Railway Track Construction:

This method is extensively used in Britain and America by using special track laying machine.
There are two types of machines available. In first type of machine, the track material carried by
the material. Train is delivered at the rail head and laid in the required position by means of
projecting arm or mounted on the truck nearest to the rail head. The material train moves forward
on the assembled track and operation is repeated.

In the second type of machines a long cantilevered arm projecting beyond. The wagon on which
is fitted. A panel of assembled track consists of pair of rail with appropriate number of sleepers
on the ballast layer. This panel is conveyed by special trolley running over the wagons of
material train to the jibs. It is lowered by the jib in the required position and connected to the
previous panel. The track laying machine then movies forwarded and operation is repeated.