{"id":659,"date":"2026-04-03T08:58:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T08:58:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gainsboroughmodelrailway.co.uk\/?page_id=659"},"modified":"2026-04-03T08:58:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T08:58:43","slug":"operating-the-railway","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gainsboroughmodelrailway.co.uk\/?page_id=659","title":{"rendered":"Operating the railway"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Train control<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The railway requires ten operators, each controlling a specific section of the railway. The operators are responsible for all train movements in their particular section or \u2018box\u2019 as we call them. The \u2018boxes\u2019 fulfil the same function as signal boxes on the real railway. Within each \u2018box\u2019 the operator is responsible for setting the route, operating the signals and communicating with the next \u2018box\u2019 to them. But in additional the operators are also responsible for controlling the trains as well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Train control is traditional 2 -rail, 14v DC, control of each train being passed from \u2018box\u2019 to \u2018box\u2019 as they progress along the railway. We are often asked about DCC operation, but for a railway of this size and complexity, it would be almost impossible to operate under a DCC system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timetable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The railway runs to a timed sequence, with the full sequence taking two hours to complete, by which time all the stock is back where it started for the sequence to begin again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a very intense timetable. For example, in a typical two hour sequence Kings Cross will see 35 arrivals and 35 departures, not to mention numerous light engine movements, so there is always something happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Control panels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are two main types of control panel on the railway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first type of panel replicates the operation of a traditional signal box, where numbered banks of switches replicate the operation of levers to control points and signals. The numbers correspond to points and signals on a track diagram. You can see examples of these types of panels at Hornsey and Werrington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
The control panel at Werrington Junction. The numbered switches correspond to points, signals and power sections on the track diagram<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

The second type of panel has a track diagram where the switches for points, signals and power are all built into it. Kings Cross and Doncaster are examples of these types of panels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Doncaster panel, showing point switches embedded in the track diagram. The bank of switches above the controllers, work the signals <\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

All the \u2018boxes\u2019 have a number of power controllers, enabling the operators to run multiple trains at once. For example, Doncaster has four controllers, allowing four trains to be controlled simultaneously!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"
Track diagram at Hornsey showing block indicators illuminated<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Another key component of each control panel or \u2018box\u2019 are the block instruments used to communicate with adjacent \u2018boxes\u2019. There are two main types of block instrument. At the northern end of the railway, the \u2018boxes\u2019 at Retford, Doncaster and Leeds have traditional block instruments with needle indicators. At the southern end, ‘boxes’ have the block display built into the control panels or track diagrams. How the block instruments work, is described in the next section.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

There are ten \u2018boxes\u2019 in total. These are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Kings Cross<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ferme Park<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hornsey<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hitchin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Werrington Junction<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Retford<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Retford Yard<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doncaster<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decoy Yard<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leeds<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Absolute block working<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first thing that will strike you when you visit the railway, isn\u2019t necessarily the railway itself, but the noise. There is an almost continuous ringing of bells that at first appear to make no sense. However, this is the sound of the operators \u2018talking\u2019 to each other to ensure the safe passage of trains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For over 100 years, the real railway used bells such as these along with block instruments to safely regulate the passage of trains. The system we use is called \u2018Absolute Block\u2019 and simply means that only one train is allowed on any \u2018block\u2019 or section of track at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our railway has ten block sections. These are the \u2018boxes\u2019 mentioned earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The easiest way to explain how the absolute block system works is to demonstrate it, so we will join the operator in Doncaster \u2018box\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Doncaster there are four block instruments. Two cover the lines to Leeds and two cover the lines to Retford. For this example, we’ll be concentrating on the block between Doncaster and Retford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Each block instrument has three positions; normal, line clear and train on line. The block instrument gives a visual indication to the operator as to whether there is a train \u2018in section\u2019. In some \u2018boxes\u2019 this indication is given by the use of green and red lights on the panel itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The normal position for a block instrument is to show \u2018Normal\u2019. This means that there is no train on that section of track.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>
Block instruments in Doncaster showing the ‘normal’ position on both up and down lines toward Retford.<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Tappers<\/h3><\/div>

There are various designs of railway tappers
used to send bell codes. These are a pair used in Kings Cross.
\"\"
Most of those on the railway resemble telegraph tappers, with some reputedly recycled from Lancaster Bombers.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

In our example, we have an express train that is going south towards Retford (up line), so we need to know if we can safely let the train out of the Doncaster block section that we control and into the next block section that the Retford operator controls. To do this we need to communicate with the operator at Retford by pressing the Retford tapper once to \u2018call attention\u2019. This rings a bell in the Retford \u2018box\u2019. The Retford operator responds with one bell to say he is ready for our message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Each category of train has its own bell code, so to ask the Retford operator if the line is clear <\/em>for an express passenger train wanting to enter their block section, we press the tapper four times. Once Retford are in a position to safely accept the train into their block section, they will repeat the bell code back to us and set their block instrument to line clear. This will be duplicated on our block instrument.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Left hand block instrument showing ‘line clear’<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"
Left hand block instrument now showing ‘train on line’<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

We can then pull off the starter signal and allow the train on its way. As the train enters the Retford block section we press the tapper twice to inform Reford the train is \u2018on line\u2019. Retford will repeat the message and place their block instrument to \u2018Train on line\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Once the train is in Retford\u2019s block section and the Retford operator is confident the train is complete they can then send a 2-1 bell code to Doncaster advising the train is \u2018out of [Doncaster] section\u2019 and the block instrument will be returned to \u2018normal\u2019. The sequence can then start again for the next train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bell codes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the bell codes you will hear during your visit. The bell codes we used are based on those in use on British Railways in the 1960s, although with some local variations to suit our needs. The trains in brackets are the types of trains we run under each bell code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 call attention<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 train on line<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2-1 train out of section<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2-5 train withdrawn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1-3     is the line clear for <\/em>suburban passenger train [Moorgate suburban services to Hitchin]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1-3-1 is line clear for <\/em>non-passenger carrying coaching stock [parcels trains]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1-4     is line clear for<\/em> local freight train [local freight train working between Doncaster Decoy and Retford yards]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2-2-1 is line clear for<\/em> empty coaching stock train [Kings Cross to Hornsey carriage sidings]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2-3      is line clear for<\/em> light engine or light engines coupled<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-1      is line clear for<\/em> ordinary passenger train [local passenger service between Leeds, Doncaster and Retford]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-1-1   is line clear for<\/em> Express freight train [express freight train \u2018the Scotch Goods\u2019]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-2       is line clear for<\/em> express freight, livestock, perishable or ballast train, not fitted with the automatic brake? [unfitted freight trains]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-2-5  is line clear for<\/em> car carrier train<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4           is line clear for<\/em> express passenger trains [express passenger trains, sleeper service]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4-1      is line clear for<\/em> mineral or empty wagon train? [coal train]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5          is line clear for<\/em> fully fitted fish train<\/p>\n\n\n