Train Control and Regulation
The Ffestiniog Railway operates on the Electric Token System (ETS) using a mixture of miniature and large train staffs, under the overall control of the Duty Controller based at Porthmadog.
Miniature train staffs are provided for:-
- Porthmadog to Minffordd (Intermediate Instrument at Boston Lodge)
- Minffordd to Tanybwlch - Long Section (Intermediate Instrument at Rhiw Goch)
- Tanybwlch to Tanygrisiau (Intermediate Instrument at Dduallt)
- Tanygrisiau to Blaenau Ffestiniog
Large train staffs are provided for:-
- Minffordd to Rhiw Goch - Short Section
- Rhiw Goch to Tanybwlch - Short Section
The Short Section train staffs are brought into service by opening Rhiw Goch Signalbox, hence trapping the Minffordd to Tanybwlch Long Section Miniature train staff in the lever frame, when the signal box is opened and manned by a signalman.
The signalling and ETS equipment is primarily designed for train crew operation. To obtain permission to withdraw a train staff to enter a single line section, Control has to be contacted.
The Control Office regulates train running, giving permission for trains to enter the single line sections, recording train movements on the Train Graph, ensuring trains are formed of an appropriate number of carriages (depending on the expected train loadings), acting as the single point of contact in the rare event of a failure occurring with rolling stock, and making station announcements at Porthmadog
The Control Office is also responsible for the Train Operation on the Welsh Highland Railway and it also regulates trains from the Welsh Highland Railway Limited, when they require access to the main Caernarfon to Porthmadog line.
Read more about this topic: Ffestiniog Railway, Train Operation Since 1955
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