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working in order to maximize efficiency and deal with any irregularity in traffic which may affect smooth operation. On busy railways such as the
Midland, it was at times very difficult for signalmen to keep track of train movements and make optimal traffic regulation decisions whilst operating signalling equipment. Consequently, fast trains could be delayed by slower trains on the line ahead. Moreover, there was no-one with specific responsibilities relating to the efficient, economical use of rolling stock in traffic, which made it difficult to manage the contingencies of underutilisation, wastage and allocation of inappropriate locomotive power. In the face of rising costs, operating economies were particularly important to the private British railway companies in the early twentieth century. The Train Controller was intended to manage these and other difficulties. It is important to note that while Train Controllers were responsible for traffic regulation within their areas of control, they generally had no safety-critical responsibilities, which were within the realm of the signalmen and
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wanted to issue instructions or receive train arrival and departure times, he selected the relevant signal box on his telephone, which rang the control phone therein. There were two main problems with this system. Firstly, the train controllers could become overloaded with path requests from signalmen, train recording and other duties. This led to delays for signalmen waiting for their turn to speak on the omnibus circuit, making the role of the train controller somewhat self-defeating. Secondly, signalmen were often in a better position to make train working decisions by virtue of their experience and by being on the spot, but were prevented from doing so by bureaucratic procedures. In silent admission of the deficiencies of this system, signalmen were generally left to their own devices, especially in the event of a general disruption to train services, during which the train control system simply could not handle the demands placed upon it.
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railways, modern technology has seen the positions of
Signalman and Train Controller united (or reunited, in the sense that traffic regulation and train path allocation were originally duties of the Signalman anyway). Irrespective, the classic Telephone Train Control system has been generally abolished, with a few exceptions.
204:. Signallers are therefore susceptible to stress-related illness. Following protracted industrial action from unions and, much more recently, detailed studies on fatigue and ergonomics in the rail industry, prudent operators implemented strict guidelines relating to the length and number of consecutive
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systems with selective code rings, to all signal boxes in the area. This method of operating was sometimes known as the
Telephone Train Control System. If the signalman required directions, he simply lifted the receiver and spoke to the train controller on the omnibus circuit. If the train controller
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in the late 1960s), obviating the need for telephonic communication. This practice was followed by what has been the norm since the introduction of modern power signalling schemes, viz. the traditional train controller's substitution by a senior signalman, signal box supervisor or traffic regulator,
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permissible for safety-critical workers, including signallers. These guidelines are ideally aimed at improving safety and reducing fatigue at work, but also the overall lifestyle of employees. In some cases, physical changes in the work environment also followed these studies, including changes in
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Each train movement was logged, by hand, in a Train
Register Book, and it was normal practice to provide a special desk to support this sizeable book. As well as train movements, every communication between signalmen and adjacent signal boxes via bell codes (when accepting trains or dealing with a
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performs signalling duties in addition to other work such as selling tickets and cleaning. Although the positions of Train
Controller and Signalman were always distinct from the inception of the former in 1907, Train Controllers perform work previously executed by Signalmen in some cases. In many
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from the 1950s. A power signal box (PSB) often has a number of signalmen operating multiple electric or computerized signalling panels and large illuminated track diagrams showing wide areas of operation. This makes traffic regulation much easier for signalmen to handle among themselves. In some
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were loaded economically and provided with suitable locomotive power, liaising with train crew rostering personnel, ordering additional trains to run for the carriage of extra freight tonnage or passengers as required, allocating paths for unscheduled services and making alterations to scheduled
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The first signalmen, originally called
Railway Policemen (leading to the nickname of 'Bobby'), were employed in the early 19th century and used flags to communicate with each other and train drivers. The railways were already in existence by then and The British Transport police say that,"early
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The signaller's main duty is to ensure trains get from A to B safely and on time. The classic Train
Register Book remains in use at most older installations, with train describers and Automatic Train Recording taking its place in more modern power signalling schemes. All trains are listed in a
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railway policemen were probably sworn in as special constables under a statute passed in 1673 during the reign of
Charles II. They were appointed to preserve law and order on the construction site of the railway patrol and protect the line control of the movement of railway traffic.) and
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command is used to alter the lie of points and control signals. Although many classic mechanical signal boxes remain in use, these are gradually being replaced by modern power signalling systems on most railways. The heartlands of
British-style railway signalling could be said to be the
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from 1856, allowed safer, more expeditious train working, and more complicated track layouts to be controlled single-handedly. The advent of such technological advances gradually led to the provision of an enclosed workspace known as a signal box, signal cabin or interlocking tower.
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working, train controllers (also known as controllers, district controllers, line controllers and area controllers) were progressively introduced on many
British-style railways in the early years of the 20th century, the first being on the
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It was a signalman's duty to check each train that passed their signal box, looking for the red tail lamp exhibited on the trailing vehicle, the sighting of which confirmed that the train was still complete, and thus the section was clear.
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in 1999, it was resolved that supervisors should be appointed at key signal boxes. However, these supervisors are not train controllers. Similar appointments have been made at major signal boxes in
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in 1907. Although the specifics of their duties varied between railways, train controllers were responsible for tracking train movements (especially freight), ensuring
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and early 20th century. Modern technology has generally reduced the labour required per train movement. In many cases, a switch, button or
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The signalman is known by various other corporate job titles, including Signaller, Area Controller and Network Controller. In the
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This article is about rail traffic controllers in Great Britain and Ireland. For similar functions in other jurisdictions, see
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Typically, train controllers were stationed at district or "divisional" control offices which were linked by omnibus circuit
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In exceptional cases, district control offices were abandoned and train controllers appointed at key signal boxes (as in the
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cases, a traffic regulator is appointed, who may be consulted for train working decisions. Following the accident at
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People and Rail Systems: Human Factors at the Heart of the Railway, John R. Wilson et al, Ashgate, London, 2007
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Kichenside, Geoffrey and Williams, Alan: Two Centuries of Railway Signalling, Oxford Publishing Co, 1998
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In busy locations, signalling can be very challenging and stressful, in a manner similar to
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Railway Safety: Interlocking and Train Protection, Ian Macfarlane, 2004
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Control on the Railways, Philip Burtt, George Allen & Unwin, 1926
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the design of signal box lighting, seating and signalling equipment.
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computer system in the UK in time order. This system is known as
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and block working in the 1850s, and proper mechanical
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