COPYRIGHT © AREMA 2010 2: 1 of 21 Module 2: Train Operations.

COPYRIGHT © AREMA 2010 2: 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


Train Operations

A railway’s business is operating trainsto transport freight or passengers

from one point to another

Photo courtesy of CN


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


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.

Photo courtesy of CTE Engineers, Inc.


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


Freight Trains

• Intermodal• Manifest (mixed freight)• Unit trains

– Bulk commodities– Same product (autos, grain, etc)

• Terminal movements• Work trains• Special trains


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 trailPhoto courtesy of CN


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


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


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

protectionPhoto courtesy of CN


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


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


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


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


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


Meet/Pass & Work Block Analysis Tool


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


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


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– KPR L>K 100 miles– CN K>V 247 miles– BNSF V>S 180 miles– Total L>S 527 miles

• Interchanged at Kamloops and Vancouver

• Clear US Customs at international border

• Final delivery in SeattleSeattle

Kamloops

VancouverLumby

KPR


QUESTIONS?Author:

Paul LiUMA Engineering Ltd. | AECOM

(780) 486-7914

[email protected]

COPYRIGHT © AREMA 2010 2: 1 of 21 Module 2: Train Operations.

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