PREFACE

Signal Engineering Manual was first issued in January, 1955. Since then much technological development has taken place in the field of railway signaling. A number of correction memos had to be issued during the last three decades. 25 kV. A. C. electrification has been taken up on the trunk and other important routes at an accelerated pace. Special instructions issued regarding signaling on A. C. electrified routes are, therefore, required to be incorporated in the Signal Engineering Manual. The use of electronics in Railway Signaling is increasing day by day and instructions regarding the same have also to be incorporated. The revision of Signal Engineering Manual had, therefore, become an urgent necessity. Accordingly, it was decided to revise the existing Signal Engineering Manual to make it up-to-date.

While revising the Signal Engineering Manual, a critical review was made regarding its organisation and the need to make it more self-sufficient and functional. It was considered desirable that unnecessary references to various other texts may be avoided. It was also found necessary to make it into two parts-Part I dealing with items of general nature, organisation of Signal and Tele communication department, duties and responsibilities of Officers and staff at various levels etc. Part II dealing with specific instructions regarding installation and maintenance of various signaling systems, sub-systems and equipments. Such an arrangement would be found more convenient for reference, by the staff in the field.

The work of revision of Signal Engineering Manual was initiated by Shri C. M. Joseph, C. S. T. E. (Retired) in 1980 and later taken over by Shri S. Narasimhan, O. S. D./Signal Engineering Manual (C. S. T. E./Southern Railway).

Draft Chapters have been thoroughly scrutinised and finalised after discussion with the C.S.T.Es. of all the Zonal Railways. A special sub-Committee consisting of C. S. T. Es. of Southern, Western South Eastern, Railway Electrification and Director (Tele-communication) R. D. S. O. was appointed to finalise the Chapter on special requirements for signaling on A. C. electrified routes. Every effort has been made to make the instructions comprehensive. However, in a work of this type it is not possible to provide for every contingency that may arise in day to day working. C. S. T. Es. of Zonal Railways may, therefore, supplement, where necessary, the practices and procedures/orders as would suit local circumstances of their Railway. It is needless to point out that such instructions would not contravene any provisions of this Manual, the codes of various Departments of the Railways the General Rules or any statutory regulations in force.

Provisions in the Signal Engineering Manual will apply to all signaling works to be taken up in future. In the installations already existing or in progress, wherever the requirements of this Manual are not complied with, suitable works may be undertaken on a programmed basis to ensure compliance with this Manual.