Safe Working

The New Zealand Government Railways (NZGR) and its successors have used various safe working systems over the years. The aim of this page is to provide details of these systems.

HTML versions of various safeworking documents can be browsed online and PDF versions of the same documents downloaded for offline viewing.

See 1965 Rule 73 Train Stopped By Accident, Failure, Or Obstruction On Line.



Safeworking Systems Used in New Zealand

Used by Tranz Rail in 2002:

Single Line Automatic (SLA)
Centralised Traffic Control (CTC)
Double Line Automatic (DLA)
Track Warrant Control (TWC)
Station Limits
Track and Time Permits (Mis. 60)

Obsolete Systems:

Open Section
One Engine in Steam
Electric Train Tablet
Line Clear (Included in the Tablet Regulations)
Pilot (Included in the Tablet and various of the other Regulations)
Train Staff & Ticket (deleted from Rule Book on 9 July 1956)
Manual Block (in the form Lock & Block and maybe Preece's instruments - Semaphore to CTC suggests that Preece's equipment was purchased but never used in NZ)
Winter Block
Lemon Block



PDF Versions Of Safeworking Documents

For offline browsing you can download the pdf versions of various safeworking documents. Because of the size of some of the pdf files I have placed them on my Geocities site.



HTML Versions Of Safeworking Documents

Note: The following links load large pages that contain many local links. If you click on a local link before the page has completed loading the complete page is reloaded (at least this is what happens with Opera, which is the browser I use). Therefore I recommend that you wait until the page has finished loading before clicking on any of the local links.

Regulations For Working Single-Line Railways By The Electric Train Tablet System

(1965)

This document defines three safeworking methods - Tablet, Pilot and Line Clear.

Includes a detailed description of Tablet Machine Operation; Bell Signals; Switching Stations In and Out; Locking of Signal Levers at Switch Out Stations; Bank Engine Keys; Suspension of Tablet Working; Pilot Working; Line Clear Working; Automatic Tablet Exchangers.

The tablet system was first installed in New Zealand in 1901 and the last section (Featherston - Masterton - Woodville) closed in 1994. See Train Advice 5685. Regulation 33 was the very last tablet regulation obeyed.

Regulations For Working Single-Line Railways By The Train Staff And Ticket System

(1943)

Includes: Description; Trains to carry Staff or Ticket; Shunting outside Home signals; Crossing trains; Work trains; Obstructions; Portion of train left on section; Engine disabled; Lost staff; Pilot working.

This safe working system was sometimes used on the Hutt Park Line. See Train Advice 271.

A letter dated 16 June 1943 introduced the 1943 Rules and Regulations to "All Employees concerned with the Running of Trains". This version of the Rule Book came into operation on 1 November 1943. Staff & Ticket was deleted from the 1943 Rule Book on 9 July 1956.

Regulations For Automatic Signalling

(1965)

The 1965 Automatic Signalling Regulations are an amalgam of Single Line Automatic, Double Line Automatic and CTC - unlike the later 1988 Rule Book which is more logically laid out.

The regulations include: Description and Meaning of Signals; Classification of Signals; Departure Signals; Attended and Unattended Crossing Stations; Pilot Working; Loss of Pilot Key; Train Disabled; Suspension of Automatic Signalling; Crossing Orders; "T" Lights and "Wanted Winkers".

Illustrated Guide To Three Position Colour Light Signals

(Not Dated)

The Seven Principal Aspects Displayed And Their Indications

A training document issued by the NZR. This document is undated but as it was issued by the NZR it is presumably earlier than 1979.

Track Warrant Control Regulations

(Generic)

The regulations include Limits of Track Warrant; Methods of Issuing Warrants; Cancelling Warrants; Warrant Stations; Working of Sidings; Passing Signals at Stop; Train Divided; Train Stopped by Accident or Failure.

Track Warrant Control (TWC) is currently used north of Featherston in the Wairarapa (in the area covered by my ValleySignals site)

This document contains regulations similar to those used by Tranz Rail.

Track And Time Permits

(2001)

Mis. 60 Track and Time Permits are used to authorise wrong line running or setting back in double track areas. They are also used to institute a Block of Line - they replace Block of Line Train Advices.


Page not yet written.

Rules And Regulations

(1965)

To Be Observed By ALL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE CONNECTED WITH THE RUNNING OF TRAINS

Includes: General Rules; Precautions For Safe Operation; Hand signals; Whistle Signals; Fixed Signals; Accident, failure or obstruction; Pilot working; Train Advices; Train Control System; Working Of Stations And Trains; Trolleys And Velocipedes; Permanent Way And Works and The Westinghouse Air Brake.

This page contains a selection of these rules. For the complete set of rules download a pdf version of the Rule Book .


Last Updated: Mon Apr 30 19:15:52 NZST 2007

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