|
|
| ABCL | Abbreviation: Automatic Barrier Crossing, Locally Monitored. |
| Advanced Passenger Train | A tilting train developed by BR in the 1970s. |
| AFBCL | Abbreviation: Automatic Full Barrier Crossing, Locally Monitored. |
| AHB | Abbreviation: Automatic Half Barriers. |
| AOCL | Abbreviation: Automatic Open Crossing, Locally Monitored. |
| AOCR | Abbreviation: Automatic Open Crossing, Remotely Monitored. |
| APT | Abbreviation: Advanced Passenger Train. |
| Aspect | A visual indication displayed by a lineside signal. |
| ATC | Abbreviation: Automatic Train Control. |
| ATP | Abbreviation: Automatic Train Protection. |
| Automatic Signal | A stop signal normally controlled by train detection status alone. |
| Automatic Train Protection | A supervisory system that enforces drivers' compliance with movement authorities and speed restrictions. |
| Automatic Warning System | A system giving audible and visual indications inside the driver's cab to assist in the observance of certain lineside signals and signs. (more...) |
| AWB | Abbreviation: Advance Warning Board. |
| AWI | Abbreviation: Advance Warning Indicator. |
| AWS | Abbreviation: Automatic Warning System. |
| Axle Counter | Electronic equipment used for train detection purposes, as an alternative to a track circuit. (more...) |
| Banner Repeater | A form of repeater signal comprising a movable 'banner' (or using modern technology to display similar indications). |
| Bi-directional Signalling | Signalling that allows traffic to run in either direction along a running line. (more...) |
| BR | Abbreviation: British Rail(ways). |
| Cab Secure Radio | A secure radio system used with driver only operation for communication between driver and signalman (obsolete). |
| Cab Signalling | A system of signalling where movement authorities are presented to the driver on a display inside the cab rather than by lineside signals. |
| Calling-on Signal | A type of subsidiary signal used to admit a train into an occupied line. |
| Catch Points | Points installed on a running line to derail vehicles running away on a steep gradient (obsolescent). |
| CBTC | Abbreviation: Communications-Based Train Control. |
| Coasting | A practice whereby the driver shuts off power whilst the train is in motion, as a way of conserving energy. |
| Colour Light Signal | A lineside signal in which the colour of the lights determine the meaning of its aspect. |
| CSR | Abbreviation: Cab Secure Radio. |
| CTRL | Abbreviation: Channel Tunnel Rail Link. |
| Differential Speed Restriction | A speed restriction comprising different speed values applicable to different types of trains. |
| Distant Signal | A main signal that is not a stop signal. |
| DOO | Abbreviation: Driver Only Operation. |
| DRA | Abbreviation: Driver's Reminder Appliance. |
| Driver Only Operation | The working of a train without a guard. |
| Driver's Reminder Appliance | A device inside a driving cab, which the driver operates when standing at a stop signal and which prevents traction power being applied to the train. |
| DVT | Abbreviation: Driving Van Trailer. |
| Emergency Speed Restriction | A temporary speed restriction that is imposed without prior notice or is more restrictive than planned. |
| Enhanced Permissible Speed | A permanent speed restriction that applies exclusively to a tilting train running in tilt mode. |
| EPS | Abbreviation: Enhanced Permissible Speed. |
| ERTMS | Abbreviation: European Rail Traffic Management System. |
| ESR | Abbreviation: Emergency Speed Restriction. |
| ETCS | Abbreviation: European Train Control System. |
| European Rail Traffic Management System | An EU-backed signalling and management system, comprising ETCS and GSM-R, developed with the aim of enabling interoperability across international borders. (more...) |
| European Train Control System | The train control element of ERTMS. (more...) |
| Fail-safe | Designed to fail in such a manner that safety will not be compromised. |
| Fouling Point | Where two lines converge, the point beyond which no part of a vehicle may stand, to avoid collision with a movement on the other line. |
| 'Four-foot' | A name given to the space between the two running rails forming a railway track. |
| Full Capacity Bi-directional Signalling | A form of bi-directional signalling that allows wrong-direction movements to run at a similar frequency to the normal direction. (more...) |
| Global System for Mobile communications-Railway | A digital radio system for railway use in the European Union. |
| Ground Frame | A small assembly of interlocked levers at the lineside, for the local control of points or signals, etc. |
| GSM-R | Abbreviation: Global System for Mobile communications-Railway. |
| HABD | Abbreviation: Hot Axle Box Detector. |
| Handpoints | Manually operated points that are operated locally and are not interlocked. |
| Headshunt | A dead-end line used during shunting movements between a group of sidings, to avoid occupying an adjacent running line. |
| Hot Axle Box Detector | Lineside apparatus for detecting overheated axle bearings on passing trains. |
| HST | Abbreviation: High Speed Train. |
| Interim Voice Radio System | A GSM-R based system that facilitates emergency communications in designated areas where axle counters are used for train detection. |
| IVRS | Abbreviation: Interim Voice Radio System. |
| Junction Signal | A stop signal that has main routes to more than one destination. (more...) |
| LOS | Abbreviation: Limit of Shunt. |
| Main Signal | A signal that controls movements along a running line. |
| Method of Working | The rules and regulations that apply on a specified section of line, as determined by the type of signalling equipment provided. |
| MGR | Abbreviation: Merry-Go-Round. |
| Movement Authority | Permission for a train to proceed, e.g. given by a signal aspect or by cab signalling. |
| MPV | Abbreviation: Multi-Purpose Vehicle. |
| MSL | Abbreviation: Miniature Stop Lights. |
| Multi-Purpose Vehicle | A multiple unit derivative designed to carry freight or equipment used during engineering activities, as opposed to carrying passengers. |
| Multiple Unit | A self-propelled train comprising a number of passenger vehicles in a fixed formation, which can be coupled together to form a longer train. |
| MWL | Abbreviation: Miniature Warning Lights. |
| National Radio Network | A radio telephone system used on trains (obsolete). |
| Neutral Section | An arrangement of insulators in overhead electrified line catenary, for separating different electrical sections. |
| NRN | Abbreviation: National Radio Network. |
| 'Off' | Refers to a signal displaying an aspect other than its most restrictive. |
| 'On' | Refers to a signal displaying its most restrictive aspect. |
| Overbridge | A bridge over the railway. |
| Permanent Speed Restriction | The normal speed restriction that applies to trains. |
| Permissive Working | An operating practice that allows more than one train to simultaneously occupy a single signal section. |
| Points Indicator | A lineside indicator that confirms the lie of the associated points. |
| PoSA | Abbreviation: Proceed on Sight Authority. |
| Position Light Signal | A lineside signal in which the position of the lights determine the meaning of its aspect. |
| PRI | Abbreviation: Preliminary Route Indicator. |
| Propelling | A shunting movement where the driver is not driving from the front of the train. |
| PSR | Abbreviation: Permanent Speed Restriction. |
| Radio Electronic Token Block | A method of working in which a movement authority takes the form of an electronic token transmitted between the control centre and train via a radio network. (more...) |
| Reduced Capacity Bi-directional Signalling | A form of bi-directional signalling that allows wrong-direction movements to run at significantly lower frequency than in the normal direction. (more...) |
| Repeater Signal | A lineside signal giving information about the aspect of the signal ahead. |
| RETB | Abbreviation: Radio Electronic Token Block. |
| Route | The section of track from a stop signal or shunting signal to (usually) the next signal ahead, over which a train may be signalled and which must be proved clear (unless permissive working applies) and locked for the passage of the train before the signal controlling entry to it may display a 'proceed' aspect. |
| Route Indicator | An indicator associated with a lineside signal that indicates which route is set, in conjunction with a 'proceed' aspect. |
| Running Line | A line on which movements (apart from shunting) are signalled by main signals or equivalent. |
| Sandite | A substance that may be applied to the rail head to improve adhesion. |
| SDO | Abbreviation: Selective Door Operation. |
| Selective Door Operation | A system for limiting the amount of power-operated passenger doors that can be opened on a train when stopped at a station with a short platform. |
| Semaphore Signal | A lineside signal that uses a pivoted arm to convey its meaning. |
| Shunting Signal | A lineside signal that governs shunting movements. |
| Signal Passed at Danger | A signal passed without authority while displaying a 'stop' aspect. |
| Signal Post Telephone | A telephone provided at or near a signal for the driver to communicate with the signalman. |
| SIMBIDS | Abbreviation: Simplified Bi-Directional Signalling. |
| Simplified Bi-directional Signalling | An obsolescent form of reduced capacity bi-directional signalling lacking normal AWS functionality for wrong-direction movements. (more...) |
| Single Line Working | The temporary working of all trains over one line of a double track railway during engineering works or failure, etc. |
| SLU | Abbreviation: Standard Length Unit. |
| Somersault Signal | An obsolete form of semaphore signal with a centrally pivoted arm. |
| SPAD | Abbreviation: Signal Passed at Danger. |
| Splitting Distant Signal | A main signal that gives advance information about which route is set at a junction signal ahead (may also function as a stop signal). (more...) |
| SPT | Abbreviation: Signal Post Telephone. |
| Stop Signal | A main signal equipped to show a 'danger' aspect. |
| Subsidiary Signal | A signal provided in association with a main signal for use in circumstances where it is not appropriate to clear the latter. |
| TCB | Abbreviation: Track Circuit Block. |
| Temporary Speed Restriction | A speed restriction that applies for a limited duration, overriding the permanent speed restriction on the affected section of line. |
| TEP | Abbreviation: Token Exchange Point. |
| Tilting Train | A train equipped with a tilt mechanism, which allows it to comfortably negotiate curves at higher speeds. |
| Time Interval System | A primitive method of working in which trains are separated by time rather than by distance. |
| Token | An object that the driver must have in his or her possession (where appropriate to the method of working) as authority to occupy a specific single line section. |
| Token Exchange Point | A location on an RETB signalled railway where electronic tokens may be exchanged. |
| TPWS | Abbreviation: Train Protection and Warning System. |
| Track Circuit | An electrical circuit that uses the running rails for train detection purposes. (more...) |
| Track Circuit Block | A method of working featuring continuous train detection. (more...) |
| Train Detection | Equipment for proving that a defined section of track is unoccupied. (more...) |
| Train Protection and Warning System | A system designed to prevent or mitigate the result of a SPAD and, at certain locations, overspeeding. (more...) |
| Trainstop | A mechanical device fitted near a stop signal that will, in the event of a SPAD, engage with a tripcock on the train and automatically apply the brakes. (more...) |
| Trap Points | Points installed at the exits from sidings or goods lines to derail vehicles and thus prevent them running away onto a running line. |
| TSR | Abbreviation: Temporary Speed Restriction. |
| Underbridge | A bridge under the railway. |
| Wrong Direction | Against the normal direction of traffic. |
|