UK to develop PTC for heritage steam and diesel

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2865

Free article:
https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews ... equipment/

kew · **Joined:** Sun Apr 02, 2017 3:13 am **Posts:** 134

That PTC TLA* is "Positive Train Control" for those, like me, left wondering. Had to google it.

* TLA: Three Letter Acronym.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2865

kew wrote:

That PTC TLA* is "Positive Train Control" for those, like me, left wondering. Had to google it.

* TLA: Three Letter Acronym.

You didn't need to search for anything if you had followed the link. First paragraph: "British rail infrastructure owner Network Rail has appointed two specialist contractors to deliver an industry-first “pathfinder” project fitting positive train control to heritage steam and diesel locomotives." I actually find it hard to believe that anyone here doesn't know what PTC is, but also the title of a post is limited by characters.

Peter Nicholson · **Posted:** Wed Oct 20, 2021 11:56 pm

It would have been better for Trains to not have attempted the use of North American shorthand to describe the European ETCS system. Deep in the article they use the European acronyms properly - calling it PTC (which it isn't) just confuses the matter.

Nothing Network Rail is doing is transferable to North American steam.

EJ Berry · **Posted:** Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:32 am

Actually. PTC is the US generic term for all these systems.

I-ETMS is the most common US system and needs to be supplemented with a working block signal system.

Amtrak's ACSES/CSS uses the existing Cab Signals with Speed Control to control train spacing and enforce signal speeds, and a second system that uses balise transponders to convey speed restrictions for curves, bridges, etc. and any temporary speed restrictions or trackwork closures.

They are not compatible with each other and neither is compatible with any European or GB system.

Phil Mulligan

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Thu Oct 21, 2021 5:01 am

It is very inward looking and US culture centric to assert that PTC is the generic term for all wireless communication based signal systems. The UK is not developing "PTC". It is also incorrect to assert that "positive train control" is something new in Europe. Many existing sytems already provide what PTC offers in North America. The main difference is that ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) offers a uniform standard across national borders, and it provides a technical path to moving block without physical signals.

Swedish railways 1306 has been fitted with the Swedish cab signals and is forward compatible with ERTMS.

Most EU railways have physical signals as a backup or alternative to the existing cab signals and train control, but those physical signals are being discontinued as all new rolling stock is equipped with some form of cab signals.