This document summarizes the key experiences and learnings from the author's signalling internship. It describes visits to legacy signalling systems including automatic train protection, operation and supervision subsystems. It also details visits to Thales communications-based train control systems, including static and dynamic testing of automatic train operation. The internship provided valuable exposure to railway signalling maintenance and insights into a future career in the rail industry.
7. Dynamic Nature Of Plans
• Maintenance plans are never cast in stone.
Can change at eleventh hour.
• CM supersedes PM.
SBW Point
PM
WDL Track
Circuit Fault
AMK ATO
Tripping
8. AMK ATO Tripping
1 December 2015
(1630)
• Could restart in CM
1 December 2015
(1704)
• Failed several times to
restart in CM
• Had to RM to AMK SB
10. Check Relay Room
• Used the Track Circuit Monitoring Unit
(TCMU) to check carrier frequency of track
circuit.
• Checked relays.
• Pull out then replace speed code pins.
No anomalies
11. Check Track Circuit Wiring
• Checked for any loose
connections between tuning
unit and rails.
No anomalies
12. Check ATP Loop Feed Cable/DB
• Only applicable to N700 SRTC
• Codes are send through LFU
instead of the track circuit
itself.
• Checked LFU and DB
connections
No anomalies
13. Inconclusive Outcome
• No leads to find the true reason for ATO trip.
• Problem could now lie in train-borne
equipment (antenna? Processors?)
• Typical experiences for maintenance crew.
• Justifies the difficulty of their job.
16. Dwell Time At Station
Platform ATO
Communicator
(PAC)
Train Sends
• Positive Train
Identification (PTI)
• Train Door Status
PAC Sends
• Detailed track profile
for next 2 interstation
runs
• Door Close command
• PSD Status
20. Legacy Schedule Compiler
• Compiles Weekday, Weekend
and Special Schedules.
• Must define track layout and
station stopping positions.
• Conflicts must be resolved
manually.
• Revisions are done as and
when needed.
• Demand-driven schedule
formulation
24. Consequences
• Train timings deviates from schedule.
• Peak hour schedules that barely passed
schedule feasibility checks will now be
unfeasible.
• Increase likelihood of schedule conflicts due
to delayed trains.
25. Potential Solutions
• PSD Health Monitoring System
• Monitoring times when PAC didn’t receive or
send the Door Open/Close signal properly.
31. QUE WRU PICO
• Check out the conditions
of the wayside WRUs.
Casing and circuitry.
• Check earthing of
equipment
• Used Cable Tester (VSWR)
(AP broadcasting) and
Spectral Analyser (power
supply)
32. Overall Experience
• Working in imminent rain conditions.
• Extreme care towards WRU setup.
• WRU ponding issue due to condensation.
• Breather valve.
34. Static Test
• Check if the correct
outcomes happen when
controls are set in a certain
way.
• Copy and paste the
command code into
computer which connects
to VOBC.
35. Dynamic Test
• Test the train’s performance
in various driving modes.
• Test the 2 VOBCs ability to
control train in DTO.
• Test the stopping accuracy.
38. Learning Experiences
• System Management and Maintenance
• Keeping records of the day’s proceedings
• Better picture of my future role in rail
industry.
