CHAPTER VIII

THE ABSOLUTE BLOCK SYSTEM

A. ESSENTIALS

8.01. ESSENTIALS OF THE ABSOLUTE BLOCK SYSTEM -

(1) Where trains are worked on the Absolute Block System -

(a) no train shall be allowed to leave a block station unless Line Clear has
been received from the block station in advance, and

(b) on double lines such Line Clear shall not be given unless the line is clear,
not only upto the first Stop signal at the block station at which such Line
Clear is given, but also for an adequate distance beyond it;

(c) on single lines such Line Clear shall not be given unless the line is clear
of trains running in the same direction, not only upto the first Stop signal
at the block station at which such Line Clear is given, but also for an
adequate distance beyond it, and is clear of trains running in the
direction towards the block station to which such Line Clear is given.

(2) Unless otherwise directed by approved special instructions, the adequate distance
referred to in clauses (b) & (c) of sub-rule (1) shall not be less than -

(a) 400 metres in case of two-aspect lower quadrant signalling or two-aspect

colour light signalling, and

(b) 180 metres in case of multiple-aspect signalling or modified lower quadrant

signalling.

B. CONDITIONS FOR GRANTING LINE CLEAR.

8.02. CONDITIONS FOR GRANTING LINE CLEAR AT A CLASS ‘A’ STATION –

At a class ‘A’ station on single line or double line, the line shall not be considered
cleared and Line Clear shall not be given, unless –
(a) the whole of the last preceding train has arrived complete;
(b) all signals have been put back to ‘On’ behind the said train;

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 (c) the line on which it is intended to receive the incoming train is clear upto the
Starter; and

(d)all points have been correctly set and all facing points have been locked for
the admission of the train on the said line.
8.03. CONDITIONS FOR GRANTING LINE CLEAR AT A CLASS ‘B’ STATION –

(1) At a class ‘B’ station on double line, the line shall not be considered clear and
Line Clear shall not be given, unless -

(a) the whole of the last preceding train has arrived complete;

(b) all necessary signals have been put back to ‘On’ behind the said train; and

(c) the line is clear -

(i) at stations equipped with two-aspect signalling - upto the Home

signal, or

(ii) at stations equipped with multiple-aspect signalling or modified

lower quadrant signalling - upto the outermost facing points or the
Block Section Limit Board (if any).

(2) At a class ‘B’ station on single line, the line shall not be considered cleared and
Line Clear shall not be given, unless -

(a) the whole of the last preceding train has arrived complete;

(b) all necessary signals have been put back to ‘On’ behind the said train; and

(c) the line is clear -

(i) at stations equipped with two-aspect signalling - upto the Shunting Limit
Board or Advanced Starter (if any) at that end of the station nearest to
the expected train.
or
upto the Home signal if there is not Shunting Limit Board or
Advanced Starter,
or
upto the outermost facing points if there is no Shunting
Limit Board or Advanced Starter or Home signal;

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 (ii) at stations equipped with multiple-aspect signalling or modified lower
quadrant signalling -

upto the Shunting Limit Board or Advanced Starter (if any) at

the
end of the station nearest to the expected train,
or
upto the outermost facing points if there is no Shunting
Limit Board or Advanced Starter.
Note : At a class ‘B’ single line station, this rule does not forbid direct reception of a train
from one side, when Line Clear has been given to the block station on the other side
provided the distance between the Outer signal and outermost facing points in two-
aspect signalling, and between the Home signal and outermost facing point in
multiple-aspect signalling, or modified lower quadrant signalling is not less than the
sum total of the adequate distances prescribed in Rule 8.01 in regard to
conditions for granting Line Clear and Rule 3.40 in regard to conditions for taking
‘Off’ Home signal for the admission of a train even where Shunting Limit Boards or
Advanced Starter have not been provided as prescribed in sub-rule (1) of Rule 3.32.

See illustrative diagrams at the end of this chapter.

SR 8.03 (i) In order to satisfy himself that the hole of the last preceding train has arrived complete, the
station Master shall follow the procedure contained in GR & SR 4.17.

(ii) The Station Master must , in addition, examine their Train Signal register to satisfy themselves that
the section is clear of train.

(iii) Whenever in consequences of the line being under repair or for any other reasons, special
precautions are necessary or special restrictions have to be observed , before granting Line Clear or authorising
the Cabin Assistant Master/Switchman to grant line Clear on the affected section, the Station Master concerned
must receive acknowledgement to his message intimating imposition of the speed restrictions from the Station
Master or Station Master who have been instructed to issue caution order.

(iv)The Station Master must comply with General Rules 8.03 by observing the signal arm by day and its
back light by night. In case of colour light, Station Master must observe the aspect of the signal indicated by the
repeaters provided.

(v) During thick, foggy and tempestuous weather, Station Master before granting Line Clear, must
intimate the stations of either end for issue of caution to warn the Drivers.

(vi) Such other conditions which are required to be fulfilled before granting Line Clear at a station as
per Station Working Rules, must be complied.

8.04. CONDITIONS FOR GRANTING LINE CLEAR AT A CLASS ‘C’ STATION –

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 At a class ‘C’ station on single line or double line in two aspect, multiple aspect or
modified lower quadrant signalling the line shall not be considered clear and Line
Clear shall not be given, unless -

(a) the whole of the last preceding train has passed complete at least 400 meters
beyond the Home signal and is continuing its journey; and

(b) all signals taken ‘Off’ for the preceding train have been put back to ‘On’ behind
the said train;

Provided that on a single line, the line is also clear of trains running in the
opposite direction towards the block hut from the block stations at the other end.

C. OBSTRUCTION - DOUBLE LINE

8.05. OBSTRUCTION ON DOUBLE LINE AT A BLOCK STATION WHEN A
TRAIN IS APPROACHING –

(1) Class ‘A’ station - When Line Clear has been given, no obstruction shall be
permitted outside the Home signal, or, on the line on which it is intended to
admit the train, upto the starter pertaining to the said line.

(2) Class ‘B’ station - When Line Clear has been given, no obstruction shall be
permitted outside the station section but shunting within the station section
may go on continuously, provided the necessary signals are kept at ‘On’.

(3) When signals have been taken ‘Off’ for an approaching train on a line which is
not isolated, no shunting movement shall be carried on towards the points over
which the incoming train will pass.

S.R. 8.05 - Shunting referred to in Rule 8.05(2) however, is not permitted on the line on which it is
intended to receive the train in thick, foggy and tempestuous weather impairing visibility . Shunting on other lines,
if any, may be carried on, provided such lines are isolated.

8.06. OBSTRUCTION ON DOUBLE LINE IN THE BLOCK SECTION –

(1) When Line Clear has been given, no obstruction shall be permitted in the block
section in rear,

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 (2) Shunting or obstruction for any other purpose shall not be permitted in the block
section in rear unless it is clear and is blocked back.

(3) Shunting or obstruction for any other purpose shall not be permitted in the block
section in advance unless it is clear and is blocked forward:

Provided that when the block section in advance is occupied by a train

travelling away from the station, shunting or obstruction may be permitted
behind the train under special instructions taking into consideration the speed,
weight and brake power of trains and the gradients on the section, and as
soon as intimation has been received that the train has arrived at the block
station in advance, the line shall be blocked forward if it is still obstructed.

Note : See Rule 8.14 also.

S.R.8.06 -(a) At stations, where shunting may be permitted under proviso of Rule 8.06, detailed
instructions must be included in the Station Working Rules.

(b) Such shunting , however, shall not be permitted in thick, foggy or tempestuous weather impairing
visibility.

D. OBSTRUCTION - SINGLE LINE

D. 1 CLASS ‘A’ STATIONS

8.07. OBSTRUCTION ON SINGLE LINE AT A CLASS ‘A’ STATION WHEN A

TRAIN IS APPROACHING - When Line Clear has been given, no obstruction shall
be permitted outside the Home signal, or, on the line on which it is intended to admit
the train, upto the Starter which controls the train.

8.08. OBSTRUCTING THE BLOCK SECTION AT A CLASS ‘A’ STATION ON

SINGLE LINE - The block section shall not be obstructed for shunting purposes,
unless-

(a) the Station Master has received Line Clear from the Station Master at the other
end of the block section, or

(b) the block section is blocked back, or

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 (c) is occupied by a train travelling away from the block station at which the shunting
is to be performed which shunting may be permitted under special instructions
taking into consideration the speed, weight and brake power of trains and the
gradients on the section. As soon as intimation has been received that the train has
arrived, the block section shall be blocked back, and

(d) the Driver or other person in charge of the shunting operations has received
distinct orders from the Station Master to shunt in a manner directed by special
instructions.
D. 2. CLASS ‘B’ STATIONS
8.09. OBSTRUCTION IN THE FACE OF AN APPROACHING TRAIN AT A CLASS
‘B’ STATION ON SINGLE LINE – The line outside the Home signal in two-aspect
signalling territory or outermost facing points in multiple aspect or modified lower
quadrant signalling territory in the direction of a train for which line Clear has been
given, shall only be obstructed when a Shunting Limit Board or an Advanced Starter
is provided and under special instructions which take into consideration the speed,
weight and brake power of trains, the gradients, the position of the first Stop Signal
and the distance from which that signal can be seen by the Driver of an approaching
train.
SR 8.09 (i) Shunting outside the Home Signal in two aspect signalling territory or outside the outermost
facing points in multiple aspect signalling territory, up to the Shunting Limit Board or Advanced Starter if
provided, in face of an approaching train is permitted only :-

(a) at stations where such shunting is allowed in the Station working Rules after taking in to
considerations the speed, weight and brake power of train, the gradients and the visibility of the first stop signal;
and
(b) provided that such shunting is stopped 10 minutes before the expected arrival of the approaching
train or, if the approaching train has arrived at the first stop signal, and Station Master has personally satisfied
himself that the train has come to a dead stop at the signal and that the necessary signals are at ON.

8.10. OBSTRUCTIONS WITHIN STATION SECTION AT A CLASS B STATION ON

SINGLE LINE -
(1) If the necessary signals are kept at on shunting may be carried on within the
station section, provided the provisions of Rule 8.09 are complied with for
shunting upto Shunting Limit Board or Advanced Starter, where provided.
(2) When signals have been taken off for an incoming train on to a line which is not
isolated, no shunting movement shall be carried on towards the points over which
the incoming train will pass.

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 S.R.8.10 When line clear has been given for a train neither any shunting shall be carried out nor any
obstruction permitted within the station section under the provision of Rule 8.09 in thick, foggy and tempestuous
weather impairing visibility.

8.11. OBSTRUCTIONS OUTSIDE STATION SECTION AT A CLASS B SINGLE

LINE STATION EQUIPPED WITH TWO-ASPECT SIGNALS -
The line outside the station section and upto the Outer signal shall not be
obstructed unless a railway servant specially appointed in this behalf by the Station
Master is in charge of the operations, and unless -

(a) the block section into which the shunting is to take place is clear of an
approaching train and all relevant and necessary signals are at ON position, or

(b) if an approaching train has arrived at the Outer signal, the Station Master has
personally satisfied himself that the train has been brought to a dead stand at the
signal:

Provided that the line shall not be obstructed under clause (b) in thick,
foggy or tempestuous weather impairing visibility or, in any case unless
authorised by special instructions.
S.R. 8.11 The Line may be obstructed under G.R. 8.11 (b) except at stations where the outer signal
concerned is not visible from the Station Master’s office and it is not possible to ascertain that the train has
actually stopped or not.

8.12. OBSTRUCTION OUTSIDE STATION SECTION AT A CLASS ‘B’ SINGLE

LINE STATION EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY OPERATED MULTIPLE-
ASPECT SIGNALS - The line outside the station section and upto the first Stop
signal shall not be obstructed unless a railway servant specially appointed in this
behalf by the Station Master is in charge of the operations, and unless the block section
into which the shunting is to take place is clear of an approaching train.

8.13. OBSTRUCTION OUTSIDE THE FIRST STOP SIGNAL AT A CLASS ‘B’

STATION ON SINGLE LINE - The line outside the first Stop signal shall not be
obstructed unless the line has been blocked back.
E. GENERAL PROVISIONS

8.14. BLOCK BACK OR BLOCK FORWARD – Block back or block forward shall
be done only in accordance with the procedure prescribed by special instructions.

8.15. AUTHORITY FOR SHUNTING OR OBSTRUCTION IN BLOCK SECTION -

While permitting shunting or obstruction in the block section, the Driver shall be given

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 authority for shunting in the block section as prescribed under special instructions
which authority may be -

(a) either a shunting arm of prescribed size and design on the same post as and
under the Last Stop signal, or

(b) a token of prescribed design, or

(c) a written permission to shunt.

S.R.8.15 (1) The written permission to shunt be issued by Station Master through a Shunting Order on
prescribed form no T/806. This will be prepared in three foils by carbon process. The first copy shall be given to
Driver, second copy to Guard/person in charge of shunting and third copy shall be kept as record. The details of
work to be done in sequence shall be mentioned on the order. The signal to pass in “ON” and block back/block
forward if done shall also be specifically quoted in the space provided on shunting order.

(2) Shunting order on form T/806 to be issued in all cases as an authority of shunting except where
shunting of engine only is a regular phenomenon and is completely controlled by fixed signals within the station
section or to engine line or otherwise, issue of shunting order may be dispensed with.

(3) When shunting is to be carried out, out side station section or in block section, in addition to T/806, a
token or prescribed design (King token or other type which is in use) or Shunting Key or OCC Key to be handed
over to the Driver as an authority of shunting.

(4) For passing a fixed signal at ‘ON’ position or passing a signal at ‘ON’ position which is defective or
defective shunt signal, the authority to pass will be the shunting order T/806 in which the name of such signal
must be entered in prescribed column. Before issue of T/806 in such cases, it must be ensured that points are
properly set and locked.

(5) Drivers during shunting shall be watchful while passing a signal at ‘ON’ position on the
authority of shunting order T/806 regarding the setting and locking of points and must not pass such signal till
such time hand signals are not exhibited by a competent Railway servant from the foot of such signal. In case of
any doubt, the points must be checked before passing.

(6) Drivers must not treat the authority of T/806 to pass any fixed defective signal/signal at ON but
see that hand signals are exhibited from the foot of such signal after ensuring its correct setting and locking. The
person incharge of shunting will ensure that points are properly set and locked for shunting purposes and it
authority to pass any fixed signal is given on the form T/806, hand signals must be exhibited at the foot of the
signal in confirmation of setting and locking of points and also as an authority to pass a signal at ‘ON’
position/defective signal.

(7) Area & conditions for shunting on a B class Single Line Stations are as follows:-

(i) B Class Single line Stations with two aspect signalling.

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 Area Condition before granting line Condition after granting line clear
clear
Up to 1. Necessary signals are kept at 1. Necessary signals are kept at
Home ‘ON’ ‘ON’
Signal 2. Visibility is clear.
Up to 1. Necessary signals are kept at 1. Necessary signals are kept at
Adv. ‘ON’ ‘ON’
Starter 2. Visibility is clear.
or SLB 3. SWR permits.
Up to 1. Necessary signals are kept at 1. Approaching train must stopped
Outer ‘ON’ at the foot of the outer signal.
Signal 2. SWR permits. 2. . Necessary signals are kept at
3. A Competent Railway Servant ‘ON’
will Supervise the Shunting. 3. Visibility is clear.
4. SWR permits.
5. A Competent Railway Servant
will Supervise the Shunting.
Beyond 1. . Necessary signals are kept at Shunting is not permitted.
outer ‘ON’
Signal 2. Block back to be done.

(ii) B Class Single line Stations with multiple aspect signalling.

Area Condition before granting line Condition after granting line clear
clear
Up to 1. Necessary signals are kept at 1. Necessary signals are kept at
Outer ‘ON’ ‘ON’
most 2. Visibility is clear.
facing
point.
Up to 1. Necessary signals are kept at 1. Necessary signals are kept at
Adv. ‘ON’ ‘ON’
Starter 2. Visibility is clear.
or SLB 3. SWR permits.
Up to 1. Necessary signals are kept at Shunting is not permitted.
Home ‘ON’
Signal 2. SWR permits.
3. A Competent Railway Servant
will Supervise the Shunting.
Beyond 1. . Necessary signals are kept at Shunting is not permitted.
Home ‘ON’
Signal 2. Block back to be done.

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8.16. ILLUSTRATIVE DIAGRAMS.- Class ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ stations on single line
and double line are illustrated in the following diagrams, which are not drawn to scale.

CLASS ‘A’ DOUBLE LINE STATION IN TWO ASPECT SIGNALLING TERRITORY

WITH WARNER, HOME, STARTER AND ADVANCED STARTER SIGNALS

CLASS ‘A’ SINGLE LINE STATION IN TWO ASPECT SIGNALLING

TERRITORY
WITH WARNER, HOME, AND STARTER SIGNALS

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 CLASS ‘B’ DOUBLE LINE STATION IN TWO ASPECT SIGNALLING
TERRITORY
WITH WARNER, OUTER, HOME, STARTER AND ADVANCED STARTER
SIGNALS

267
 CLASS ‘B’ SINGLE LINE STATION IN TWO ASPECT SIGNALLING
TERRITORY
WITH OUTER AND HOME SIGNALS

CLASS ‘B’ SINGLE LINE STATION IN TWO ASPECT SIGNALLING

TERRITORY
WITH WARNER, OUTER, HOME, STARTER AND ADVANCED STARTER
SIGNALS / SHUNTING LIMIT BOARDS

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 CLASS ‘B’ DOUBLE LINE STATION IN MULTIPLE ASPECT
SIGNALLING TERRITORY WITH DISTANT, HOME, STARTER AND
ADVANCED STARTER SIGNALS AND BLOCK SECTION LIMIT BOARD

CLASS ‘B’ DOUBLE LINE STATION IN MODIFIED LOWER QUADRANT

SIGNALLING TERRITORY WITH DISTANT, WARNER, HOME, STARTER
AND ADVANCED STARTER SIGNALS AND BLOCK SECTION LIMIT
BOARD

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CLASS ‘B’ SINGLE LINE STATION IN MULTIPLE ASPECT SIGNALLING
TERRITORY WITH DISTANT, HOME, STARTER AND ADVANCED
STARTER SIGNALS / SHUNTING LIMIT BOARD

CLASS ‘B’ SINGLE LINE STATION IN MODIFIED LOWER QUADRANT

SIGNALLING TERRITORY WITH DISTANT, HOME, WARNER STARTER
AND ADVANCED STARTER SIGNALS SHUNTING LIMIT BOARD

270
CLASS ‘C’ DOUBLE LINE STATION IN TWO ASPECT SIGNALLING
TERRITORY WITH WARNER AND HOME SIGNALS

CLASS ‘C’ DOUBLE LINE STATION IN MULTIPLE ASPECT

SIGNALLING TERRITORY WITH DISTANT AND HOME SIGNALS

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CLASS ‘C’ DOUBLE LINE STATION IN TWO ASPECT SIGNALLING
TERRITORY WITH WARNER AND HOME SIGNALS

CLASS ‘B’ SINGLE LINE STATION IN TWO ASPECT SIGNALLING

TERRITORY WITH OUTER AND HOME SIGNALS

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CLASS ‘B’ SINGLE LINE STATION IN MULTIPLE ASPECT SIGNALLING
TERRITORY WITH DISTANT, HOME AND STARTER SIGNALS

CLASS ‘B’ SINGLE LINE STATION IN LOWER QUADRANT

SIGNALLING TERRITORY WITH DISTANT WARNER, HOME AND
STARTER SIGNALS

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