Abbey Wood Elizabeth Line Siding

[DynamicSpirit]

This evening, coming off an Elizabeth Line train at Abbey Wood Platform 3, I noticed that there was another train in the siding - which is further along the same track - so there's only a short distance between trains when one is in the siding and another is in the platform. It also struck me that I couldn't see any signal in between the two trains. Is there a signal there? And if not, what controls whether a train can get in the platform or into the siding?

 

[Crithylum]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but as Abbey Wood is part of the ‘core’, it will be using CBTC and ATO. Therefore there is no need for a physical signal, or the typical margins in case of human error, as a computer is driving the train

 

[Benjwri]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but as Abbey Wood is part of the ‘core’, it will be using CBTC and ATO. Therefore there is no need for a physical signal, or the typical margins in case of human error, as a computer is driving the train

This is correct. The core section of the Elizabeth Line has no colour signals, it still has physical sections, known as blocks, for failures, however the level of supervision provided means trains can even be in the same block.

 

[bobster1001]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but as Abbey Wood is part of the ‘core’, it will be using CBTC and ATO. Therefore there is no need for a physical signal, or the typical margins in case of human error, as a computer is driving the train

Yep. The "core" is as far as Westbourne Park sidings in the west and Stratford and Abbey Wood in the east

 

[NSEWonderer]

Indeed, it's controlled by CBTC signaling with block marker boards as boundary markers. A train will require movement authority to proceed into another block section. The siding at Abbey Wood leading from Platform 3 only has one colored TRTS signal, which is at the end of the siding and protects the national rail, down tracks heading toward Kent.

 

[Belperpete]

Presumably there are block marker boards in both directions between the platform and the siding?

 

[NSEWonderer]

Presumably there are block marker boards in both directions between the platform and the siding?

Indeed. One for entry into the siding from P3 and another for entry into P3 from the siding.

 

[345 050]

This is correct. The core section of the Elizabeth Line has no colour signals, it still has physical sections, known as blocks, for failures, however the level of supervision provided means trains can even be in the same block.

To be pedantic, the 'Core' is actually referred to as Central Operating Section - COS for short.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jun 2024 ==

To be pedantic, the 'Core' is actually referred to as Central Operating Section - COS for short.

Or even Crossrail Central Operating Section - CCOS

 

[Horizon22]

Presumably there are block marker boards in both directions between the platform and the siding?

Yes there are. The distance between a train in Platform 3 and the siding is actually very small when there are two trains but because the area is CBTC controlled it is perfectly safe. The signaller can also give verbal movement authority as required which is in effect "talking past a signal" but not quite.