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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 6 (October 1, 1927)

[section]

Signalling might be defined as the method of governing train movements over certain areas of track, and interlocking as the detailed manner in which safety is assured. For a broad consideration of the subject it should be borne in mind that the signalling systems in use in New Zealand comprising Line Clear, Train Staff, Electric Tablet, Lock and Block, and “Automatic” operate to ensure safety and facilitate train movements between stations. Interlocking of points, signals, and signalling systems, is designed to prevent conflicting movements of vehicles and speed the handling of rolling stock at stations, junctions, sidings, goods yards, etc.

All-electric power interlocking machine, type “A.” The front cover plates have been removed, showing the levers (40 in number) and the connections to electric locking slides.

All-electric power interlocking machine, type “A.” The front cover plates have been removed, showing the levers (40 in number) and the connections to electric locking slides.

Though generally applied to the method of so governing the various movements of vehicles inside station or shunting yard limits that conflicting movements cannot occur nor signals show “clear” without their correct routes being set, interlocking has also a wider application. This relates to sections of railway and the co-ordination of safety appliances with systems of signalling.

Owing to the rapid advance of electric interlocking, the area and distance within which points and shunting movements can be controlled from an interlocking machine by one man with perfect knowledge of what is taking place, is ever widening. At no distant date sections of line, up to perhaps twenty miles, will be controlled, and sidings and wayside points actually operated, from a central interlocking station. This will be accomplished by electric control of distant motor-worked points, with visual indication of train movements enabling the signalman to watch and co-ordinate main line and shunting requirements in his section.