COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 1 of 21 Module 2: Train Operations
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 2 of 21 Objectives Knowing how trains are operated will help understand railway engineering –Passenger & freight trains –Shipment from origin to destination –Movement control on main & other tracks –Track time for revenue train operations and maintenance of way work –Line capacity considerations –Train speed considerations –Terminal capacity considerations
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 3 of 21 Train Operations A railway’s business is operating trains to transport freight or passengers from one point to another Photo courtesy of CN
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 4 of 21 What is a Train? An engine or more than one engine coupled, With or without cars, Displaying markers. Markers: –Headlight or white light in front –Red sign, flag or blinking red light at rear
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 5 of 21 Passenger Trains Service: –Intercity-long haul –Intercity-short haul –Commuter –Urban transit –Scenic tour Equipment: –Conventional –High Speed Rail Acela – U.S.A. TGV – Europe Bullet Train – Japan Photo courtesy of CTE Engineers, Inc.
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 6 of 21 Passenger Trains Major considerations: –Safety –On-time performance –Speed / travel time –Ride comfort –Noise and vibration Passenger, environment –Schedule connection –Equipment choice Tilt mechanism HVAC and facilities –Station building: Access and facilities
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 7 of 21 Freight Trains Intermodal Manifest (mixed freight) Unit trains –Bulk commodities –Same product (autos, grain, etc) Terminal movements Work trains Special trains
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 8 of 21 Freight Trains Major considerations: –Safety –On-time delivery –Speed vs. heavy haul –Service scheduling –Keeping the line moving –Car and load tracing –Empty distribution –Balance of Power & Crew –Terminal ability to receive, marshal, and depart trains –Traffic Interchange –Paper trail Photo courtesy of CN
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 9 of 21 The Paper Trail Bill of Lading –Contract between customer and originating railroad Waybill –Contract between carrier railroads to follow shipment –Special handling instructions for dangerous commodities and perishables Wheel Report (Train Journal) –List of cars in train for conductor’s information –Updated by conductor for pick-up and set-out Consist Report (Advance Consist) –Advance report of arriving trains to next division point Switch List –Instruction for classifying cars for making up outbound trains Interchange Delivery Report –Confirmation of cars interchanged to another railroad
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 10 of 21 Keeping Track of the Cars Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) transponder on each equipment Wayside interrogators report locations of trains & equipment to railway computer Railways interchange information through AAR computer Customers can access information on shipment
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 11 of 21 Movement Control Main tracks & sidings –Dispatcher controlled –Occupy with permit only, track work included –Speed in Timetable –May or may not be signaled Other tracks –Speed depends on range of vision –Yardmasters designate track use in terminal –Track work requires protection Photo courtesy of CN
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 12 of 21 Bibles of Operations Rule Book: –USA – GCOR, NORAC & Individual Rule Books –Canada – CROR –Variation for each railway General Operating Instructions - GOI Timetable & Terminal Operating Manual: –Special instructions –Subdivision footnotes Operating Bulletins
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 13 of 21 Control of Main Tracks Permit Systems –Modernized train order Track warrant Occupancy Permit –With or without automatic block signals (ABS) –Computer programs to aid dispatchers in keeping track of train order issued CTC System (Controlled by dispatcher) –Centralized Traffic Control –With controlled and intermediate signals
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 14 of 21 Centralized Traffic Control Trains operate by signal indications Dispatchers line switches and set signals at sidings and junctions Intermediate signals fleet trains between controlled signals in same direction at proper spacing Computer programs help plan and control train movements
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 15 of 21 Line Capacity Definition: –How much tonnage moved per unit time –Function of acceptable train delays Track Plant Restrictions: –Gross ton/car allowed –Number of main tracks or siding length –Siding grid (running time) –Signalization (signal block length & pullout penalty) –Maintenance work blocks
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 16 of 21 Line Capacity Train Restrictions: –Trailing tonnage - length & weight/car –Speed - grade & power to weight ratio –Priority - speed differential –Distribution - direction & peaking –Switching work required Dispatching Efficiency - experience Weather
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 17 of 21 Meet/Pass & Work Block Analysis Tool
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 18 of 21 Speed = Safety & Capacity Maximum Speeds in Timetable & Signs –Differ by zone or section –Differ for passenger, express and freight –May differ by train length or tonnage for freight –May differ by direction Speed applies to Whole Train Subject to Restrictions –Temporary –Permanent –Equipment
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 19 of 21 Terminal Capacity Capacity affected by: –Receiving & Departure Yards –Classification yards Flat yard Hump yard –Switching leads Availability for switching Conflict with inbound and outbound movements Yard engine programming –Connecting lines between yards within terminal Hard to determine
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 20 of 21 From Origin to Destination ABC Sawmill in Lumby, BC ships two boxcars of cedar shingles to United Lumber in Seattle, WA. Line hauled by 3 railroads –KPRL>K100 miles –CNK>V247 miles –BNSFV>S180 miles –TotalL>S527 miles Interchanged at Kamloops and Vancouver Clear US Customs at international border Final delivery in Seattle
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 21 of 21 QUESTIONS? Author: Paul Li UMA Engineering Ltd. | AECOM (780)
COPYRIGHT © AREMA : 22 of 21 REVISION HISTORY