Introduction to Signal Engineering Manual

S.no Description
1. Signal Engineering Manual is organised as one Main Volume, Appendix I and Appendix II.
2. Numbering Convention of this Manual is given below.
(a) Para numbering: Each Para has a three segment number as: Chapter no. Section No.
Para no. (For Example: 21.1.4).
Further sub-divisions are given as (c) (ii) and explained below
21- Chapter:

1- Section number in Chapter 21:

4 - Para number in section 1: (Indications on Control Panel)
(c) - Sub para: (Signal Indications)
(ii)- Sub sub para: ( Indications that stop..)
 Sub sub sub para: (Failure of green ..)
(b) Annexure Numbering: Annexures are given at the end of chapter and are numbered
as Annexure: 19-A2, where 19 stands for Chapter number, A for Annexure and 2
indicates that it is second Annexure for that Chapter. General Annexures are given
at the end of Manual are for information and are numbered as Annexure G1, G2 etc
(c) Drawing Numbering: Except embedded small drawings (which are in concerned page
itself) all other drawings are given in Appendix-II. Numbering Scheme is given at S.No-
4.
3. Appendix I: Has Maintenance Schedules. They are given numbering such as; Annexure:
14-MS2, where 14 stands for Chapter number, MS stands for Maintenance schedule and 2
indicates that it is second schedule for that Chapter.
4. Appendix II: Has Signalling Drawings for Guidance. They are given numbering such
as; Drg no: 19-D3, where 19 stands for Chapter Number, D stands for Drawing and 3
stands for third drawing for that chapter.
5. Wherever certain stipulations are not feasible/currently exist, they may be adopted
gradually in due course, whenever the signalling assets are due for replacement or
whenever any major Interlocking alterations are being taken up.
6. The information given in Signal Engineering Manual, Appendix I & II is Intellectual Property
of Indian Railways and is only for official use of Indian Railway Signal Engineers. Copying
/Reproduction by others in any form for other purposes without explicit & written approval of
Signalling Directorate of Railway Board /New Delhi is strictly prohibited.
7. May give your feedback for improvements by e mail to: [email protected]

Disclaimer :- (1) Any Example/scheme given in Signal Engineering Manual, Appendix I &
II showing any equipment or usage of any acronym is only for Technical &
conceptual information of signal Engineers & Technicians and does not endorse any
particular make/Brand
(2) References to other sources such as - GR, ACTM, SOD, Engineering Code,
Finance Code, Payment of wages act, Hours of Employment are given at appropriate paras
for ready referencing. However their accuracy/ latest updates shall be checked by the
reader.
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1. Index i-xi

2. Chapter 1: Organisation of the Signal & Telecommunication 1

Department
3. Section 1: Signal and Telecommunication Department – An Overview 1

4. Section 2: Officers 3

5. Section 3: Technical Staff 4

6. Chapter 2: Duties of Signal & Telecommunication Engineers 7

7. Section1: Duties of Signal and Telecommunication Engineers incharge 7

of Maintenance or Construction

8. Section 2: Additional Duties of Signal and Telecommunication Engineer 8

incharge of Maintenance

9. Section 3: Additional Duties of Dy. CSTE incharge of Construction/RE/ 10

Project/Works

10. Annexure 2-A1: Engineer’s Progress Report. 12

11. Chapter 3: Duties of Signal Supervisors & Technical Staff 13

12. Section 1: Duties of Sectional SSE/JE (Signal) 13

13. Section 2: Additional Duties of SSE (Signal)/Incharge 16

14. Section 3: Inspection Certificates 18

15. Section 4: Accidents 19

16. Section 5: General Responsibilities and Duties 19

17. Section 6: Additional Instructions for SSE (Signal)/Incharge of 22

Construction

18. Section 7: Datalogger Management Centre (DLMC) 24

19. Section 8: Duties of Technician (Signal) 24

20. Section 9: Duties of Helpers/Assistants 27

21. Annexure 3-A1: Signal Visibility Certificate for Existing Signals 29

22. Annexure 3-A2: Foot Plate Inspection of Signals 30

23. Annexure 3-A3: Inspection & Testing Certificate 33

24. Annexure 3-A4: Action in case of Accidents 34

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25. Annexure 3-A5: List of Drawings & Registers at a Station 41
26. Annexure 3-A6: Cause Wise Analysis of Signal Incidences 43
27. Annexure 3-A7: SSE/JE (Signal) Progress Report 46
28. Annexure 3-A8: SSE/JE (Signal) Completion Certificate 47
29. Annexure 3-A9: Technician’s (Signal) Report 48
30. Annexure 3-A10: Disconnection/Reconnection Notice 49
31. Annexure 3-A11: Where Disconnection is not Required 50
32. Annexure 3-A12: Competency Certificate cum Training History Book 52
33. Annexure 3-A13: Hours of Employment Regulations, Workmen’s 54
Compensation Act, Payment of Wages Act.(Extract of
Manuals)
34. Chapter 4: Budget, Estimates, Expenditure, Budget Control 59
and Completion Reports
35. Section 1: Introduction – Budget Terms 59
36. Section 2: Works, Machinery and Rolling Stock Budget 60
37. Section 3: Maintenance of Accounts 61
38. Section 4: Control over Expenditure 62
39. Section 5: Completion Reports 62
40. Annexure 4-A1: Powers of the Railway Board 63
41. Annexure 4-A2: Review of Expenditure 65
42. Annexure 4-A3: Revenue Expenditure 67
43. Annexure 4-A4: Preparation of the Budget 69
44. Annexure 4-A5: Works Machinery and Rolling Stock Budget 71
45. Annexure 4-A6: Classification of Capital and other Works Expenditure 72
46. Annexure 4-A7: Distribution of Funds by the Railway Board 73
47. Annexure 4-A8: Revenue Allocation Registers 75
48. Annexure 4-A9: Register of Works is a Collective Record of Expenditure 76
Designed

49. Annexure 4-A10: Revenue and Works Expenditure 78

50. Annexure 4-A11: Completion Report 82

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51. Chapter 5: Planning, Estimating & Survey 85

52. Section 1: Planning 85

53. Section 2: Estimates 86

54. Section 3: Surveys 87

55. Annexure 5-A1: Preparation of the Preliminary Works Programme 91

56. Annexure 5-A2: Test of Remunerativeness 94

57. Annexure 5-A3: Code Rules for Estimates 95

58. Annexure 5-A4: Grouping of Works 106

59. Chapter 6: Signalling Stores and Accountal 107

60. Section 1: Classification of Stores 107

61. Section 2: Imprest Stores 107

62. Section 3: Tools and Plants 107

63. Section 4: Protective Clothing 108

64. Section 5: Books of Reference 108

65. Section 6: Office Furniture 108

66. Section 7: Stationery and Forms 108

67. Section 8: Stores Obtained for Works including Special Revenue Works 109

68. Section 9: Daily Material Transactions 109

69. Section 10: Returned Stores 110

70. Section 11: Requisitions 111

71. Section 12: General Instructions 112

72. Annexure 6-A1: Imprest Stores 113

73. Annexure 6-A2: Tools and Plant 117

74. Annexure 6-A3: Guidelines for Preparation of Indents 118

75. Annexure 6-A4: Materials At-Site Account 119

76. Annexure 6-A5: Daily Material Transaction Register (DMTR) 124

77. Annexure 6-A6: Returned Stores 125

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78. Annexure 6-A7: Accounts (EDP) Requisition and Issue Note 127

79. Annexure 6-A8: General Instructions for Proper Custody and 131
Maintenance of Stores

80. Chapter 7: Essentials of Signalling 132

81. Section 1: Signals in General 132

82. Section 2: Warning Boards 140

83. Section 3: Indication Boards 141

84. Section 4: Points, Operation, Indicators & Isolation 142

85. Section 5: Interlocking of Catch Siding and Slip Sidings 146

86. Section 6: Interlocking of Signals with Points and other Equipments 148

87. Section 7: Operation of Signals & Points – Control Panel 151

88. Section 8: An overview – Design, Installations, Testing, Commissioning 153

& Maintenance of Signalling Equipment

89. Annexure 7-A1: Extract from “Rules for Opening of Railway Lines” for 157
Isolation (Rule 36)

90. Chapter 8: Drawings & Specifications 160

91. Section 1: Plans for New and Working Installations 160

92. Section 2: Indian Railway Standard Drawings 170

93. Section 3: Standard Specifications 170

94. Section 4: Books of References 171

95. Section 5: Maintenance of Drawings, Specifications and Book of 172

Reference

96. Section 6: Indian Railway Standard Equipments 173

97. Section 7: Detailed Designs 173

98. Annexure 8-A1: Various Books of Reference and their Distribution 176
among the Staff

99. Annexure 8-A2: Check list for Engineering Scale Plan (ESP) 178

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100. Chapter 9: Procedure for Commissioning of Signalling 182

Installations
101. Section 1: General Instructions 182

102. Section 2: Obtaining Sanction for Works on Lines Opened to Traffic 185

103. Section 3: New Lines & Electrification 188

104. Section 4: Introduction of New Types of Locomotives or Rolling Stock 189

for Increasing Speed

105. Annexure 9-A1: Application for CRS Sanction 193

106. Annexure 9-A2: Safety Certificate 195

107. Annexure 9-A3: Station Machinery 197

108. Annexure 9-A4: List of Questions & Answers 198

109. Annexure 9-A5: Safety Certificate for S&T works for Introducing 199
Electrification

110. Annexure 9-A6: Joint Safety Certificate (for New Types of Locomotives 200
or Rolling Stock)

111. Annexure 9-A7: Handing Over/Taking Over of Signalling Assets 201

112. Annexure 9-A8: Application for PCSTE Sanction 205

113. Annexure 9-A9: PCSTE Sanction 206

114. Annexure 9-A10: Check List for PCSTE Application for Sanction for 207
Signalling Works

115. Chapter 10: Contracts for Works 208

116. Section 1: General 208

117. Section 2: Tenders/E-Tenders 209

118. Section 3: Measurements and Measurement Books 212

119. Annexure 10-A1: Instructions for Recording Measurements 218

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120. Chapter 11: Dataloggers & Predictive Maintenance Systems 220

121. Section 1: Dataloggers 220

122. Section 2: Applications of Datalogger 222

123. Section 3: Remote Diagnostic and Predictive Maintenance System 222

124. Annexure 11-A1: Datalogger Fault Logics - An Example 225

125. Chapter 12: Installation, Testing & Maintenance of 236

Mechanical
Signalling Equipment
126. Section 1: Installation 236

127. Section 2: Point Rodding and Fittings 238

128. Section 3: Point Operation in Mechanical Signalling 239

129. Section 4: Facing Point locks, Switch & Lock Movements and Spring 239
Point Levers

130. Section 5: Location of Signals in Mechanical Signalling 240

131. Section 6: Signal Wire Run 245

132. Section 7: Painting of Mechanical Signalling 245

133. Section 8: Maintenance of Mechanical Signalling 247

134. Section 9: Maintenance of Lever Frame 248

135. Section 10: Maintenance of Lead outs (Rodding) 249

136. Section 11: Maintenance of point Rodding and Fittings 249

137. Section 12: Maintenance of Cranks, Compensators, Screws, Bolts, 250

Nuts, Pins and Cotters

138. Section 13: Maintenance of Points 250

139. Section 14: Maintenance of Facing Point Locks, Switch & Lock 251
Movements and Spring Point Levers

140. Section 15: Maintenance of Lock bars 252

141. Section 16: Maintenance of Mechanical Detectors 253

142. Section 17: Maintenance of Signal Wire Run (Single Wire) 254

143. Section 18: Maintenance of Pulley Stakes and Pulleys 254

144. Section 19: Maintenance of Electrical Repeaters and Signal Lamps/LEDs 254
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145. Section 20: Maintenance of Double Wire Installations 254

146. Section 21: Maintenance of Signals and Fittings 256

147. Section 22: Maintenance of Point, Trap and Shunting Permitted 258
Indicators

148. Section 23: Maintenance Schedule 258

149. Section 24: Overhauling and Testing of Interlocking Mechanical/ 259

Electromechanical

150. Section 25: Overhauling of Interlocking Frames, Interlocking Key 259

Boxes and Station Master’s Slide Control Frames

151. Section 26: Testing of Interlocking Frames, Interlocking Key Boxes 263
and Station Master’s Slide Control Frames

152. Section 27: Records of Testing and Overhauling 268

153. Section 28: Testing and Overhauling of Electromechanical Installations 269

154. Annexure 12-A1: Essential Requirements before Interlocking of a Point 272

155. Annexure 12-A2: Certificate of Overhauling of Interlocking Frames 273

156. Annexure 12-A3: Certificate of Testing of Locking 274

157. Chapter 13: ATP, ETCS, TPWS, IRATP (TCAS) & TMS 275

158. Section 1: General Requirements 275

159. Section 2: European Train Control Systems (ETCS) & Train Protection 277
and Warning Systems (TPWS)

160. Section 3: IRATP – Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) 284

161. Section 4: Traffic Management System (TMS) 288

162. Annexure 13-A1: Breaking Distance Calculations for TCAS 296

163. Chapter 14: LC Gates 300

164. Section 1: LC General 300

165. Section 2: Installation of LC Gates 305

166. Section 3: Maintenance of LC Gates 308

167. Annexure 14-A1: Safety Measures to be Provided at Level Crossings 311

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168. Chapter 15: Cables 314

169. Section 1: General 314

170. Section 2: Paying Out, Trenching & Laying of Cables 315
171. Section 3: Cable Laying in RE Area 319
172. Section 4: Insulation Resistance Testing of Signal Cables 320
173. Section 5: Maintenance of Cables 321
174. Chapter 16: Power Supply Systems for Signalling 323
Installations
175. Section 1: Power Supply General 323
176. Section 2: Sources of Power Supply 323
177. Section 3: Distribution of Power Supply 325
178. Section 4: Power Supply Equipment 325
179. Section 5: Installation of Secondary Cells 326
180. Section 6: Installation of Power Supply Equipment 327
181. Section 7: Installation of DG Set 327
182. Section 8: Maintenance of Secondary Cells 328
183. Section 9: Maintenance of Power Supply Equipment 329
184. Section 10: Maintenance of DG Set 329

185. Chapter 17: Train Detection - Track Circuits & Axle Counters 331

186. Section 1: Track Circuits 331

187. Section 2: Installation of DC Track Circuits 332
188. Section 3: Maintenance of DC Track Circuits 336
189. Section 4: Audio Frequency Track Circuits (AFTC) 340
190. Section 5: Precautions for DC Track Circuits & AFTC in RE Area 342
191. Section 6: Axle Counters − General 348
192. Section 7: Installation of Axle Counters 348
193. Section 8: Maintenance of Axle Counters 352
194. Annexure 17-A1: Measurement of Stray Direct Current before Installation 354
of DC Single Rail Track Circuits
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195. Chapter 18: Block Instruments, BPAC & IBS Working 356

196. Section 1: Block Instruments General Requirements 356

197. Section 2: Special Requirements of Block Working in RE Area 360

198. Section 3: Installation of Block Instruments 362

199. Section 4: Installation of Single Line Token Instruments 364

200. Section 5: Installation of Single Line Tokenless Block Instrument 365

201. Section 6: Installation of Double Line Block Instruments 366

202. Section 7: Maintenance of Token Instruments – General 366

203. Section 8: Maintenance of Block Instruments & their Ancillary Apparatus 368
− General Instructions

204. Section 9: Maintenance of Single Line Block – Instructions 370

205. Section 10: Maintenance of Block Proving by Axle Counter 371

206. Section 11: Maintenance of Embedded type Block working 371

207. Section 12: Intermediate Block Signalling (IBS) 371

208. Annexure 18-A1: Painting Scheme − Block Signalling Equipment 375

209. Annexure 18-A2: Tokens Lost/Tablets Lost 376

210. Annexure 18-A3: Token Balance Book 377

211. Annexure 18-A4: Intermediate Block Signalling (using OFC, MSDAC) 378

212. Chapter 19: Outdoor Signalling - Installation, Testing and 387

Maintenance of Equipment
213. Section 1: General Instructions on Tools 387

214. Section 2: Installation of Signals 388

215. Section 3: Installation of IRS Point Machines 390

216. Section 4: Thick Web Switches (TWS) 394

217. Section 5: Installation of Electrical Point Detector (EPD) 396

218. Section 6: Signalling Relays 396

219. Section 7: Fuses 397

220. Section 8: Testing of Signalling Circuits 397

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221. Section 9: Maintenance of Outdoor Signalling 406

222. Section 10: Lightning & Surge Protection for Outdoor Equipment 408

223. Section 11: Earthing for Outdoor Signalling Equipment 409

224. Annexure 19-A1: Signal Sighting Committee Report – For Shifting of 415
Existing Signals/Erection of New Signals

225. Annexure 19-A2: Extract of Schedule of Dimensions (SOD) 418

226. Annexure 19-A3: Method for Finding Out the Resistance of an Earth 419

227. Chapter 20: Automatic Block Signalling 420

228. Section 1: Automatic Signalling – General 420

229. Section 2: Installation of Auto Signalling 423

230. Section 3: Maintenance of Automatic Signalling Section 425

231. Section 4: Modified Semi-Automatic Signalling Working 425

232. Annexure 20-A1: Automatic Signalling Scheme with OFC, MSDAC & OC 427

233. Chapter 21: Relay & Electronic Interlocking 433

234. Section 1: Design Criteria of Signalling Circuits 433

235. Section 2: Installation & Testing of Relays 449

236. Section 3: Installation of Relay Interlocking 452

237. Section 4: Electronic Interlocking (EI) 455

238. Section 5: Installation & Testing of Electronic Interlocking 458

239. Section 6: Maintenance of Interlocking 461

240. Section 7: Lightning and surge protection for Signalling Equipments 462

241. Annexure 21-A1: Relays for Railway Signalling 465

242. Annexure 21-A2: Pre-commissioning Check list 470

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243. Chapter 22: Requirements of Signalling in 25 KV AC 474

Electrified Area
244. Section 1: General 474

245. Section 2: Signal Structures in RE area 475

246. Section 3: Erection of Signals in RE area 477

247. Section 4: Signalling Circuits in RE area 479

248. Section 5: Outdoor Signalling Circuits in RE area 480

249. Section 6: Signal feed Circuitry in RE area 480

250. Section 7: Point Operation & Detection in RE area 481

251. Section 8: Rules for Protection of Staff working on Signal & 483
Telecommunication Installation

Annexure 22-A1: Visibility of Signals in RE Area (Extracts of Para 20.5 of 487

252.
Appendix-1: Manual of AC Traction) Vol. II (Part-II)

253. Annexure 22-A2: Maintenance in Electrified Areas (Extract of part 'J' of 489
Permanent Way Manual PART 'J')

254. Annexure 22-A3: Clearances for Signals for High Rise OHE (For Running 494
Double Stack Container &Three Tier Car)

255. General Annexures 496

256. Annexure G1: Reliability, Availability, Maintainability & Safety (RAMS) 497

257. Annexure G2: Brief of High Speed Rail Signalling in Ahmedabad - 501
Mumbai Route

258. Annexure G3: Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) In Metro 508
Railway Systems

259. Annexure G4: Glossary of Technical Terms for Signal Engineering 514
Manual

Note: Maintenance Schedules are given in Appendix I.

Drawings are given in Appendix II.

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