RETB Inverness
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Introducion
The lines North and West of Inverness are controlled from a single workstation in Inverness Signalling Centre.The Dingwall to Kyle line was the first to use Radio Electronic Token Block Signalling (RETB), being launched on 6 July 1984. The Far North Line to Wick and Thurso was converted to RETB in December 1985.
These routes were initially controlled from Dingwall, and it was intended that the Inverness resignalling scheme would included the Inverness - Dingwall section. However RETB was extended to Inverness with control moved to the new Inverness Signalling Centre in August 1988.
Inverness
This page describes the track layout and RETB signalling on these lines. Stations are shown in bold type.RETB Signalling: Inverness - Wick
Controlled by Inverness Signalling Centre (RETB workstation)Trains can enter the RETB system and obtain a token anywhere in the Inverness TCB area. Authority to proceed towards Clunes will be the clearing of the appropriate signal (I427 or I429) at the entry to the single line.
Clachnaharry's Down signal CY2 will only clear to green when an appropriate RETB token is issued.
Location | Mileage | Radio Channel | Signalling | Remarks |
Inverness Station | 00mi 02ch | 102 | TCB (Inverness SC) | Terminus. Platforms 5, 6 and 7 for the North. |
Rose Street Jn | 00mi 19ch | Connection from 'Rose Street Curve', avoiding station. | ||
00mi 32ch | Down Signals I427, I429 | Entry to the Single line | ||
Ness Viaduct | 00mi 41ch | |||
00mi 47ch | Up Signal I430 | End of Radio Token Working (Up direction) | ||
01mi 12ch | Down Signal CY2 | Start of Radio Token Working (Down direction) | ||
Clachnaharry Canal Bridge | 01mi 45ch | Clachnaharry Bridge Box, controls Swing bridge and protecting signals | ||
01mi 68ch | Up Signal CY1 | |||
03mi 58ch | AOCL+B | |||
07mi 51ch | 102 | TEP-i | ||
10mi 12ch | Single platform, Down side. | |||
13mi 04ch | >105< | TEP (TPWS) | Two platforms. Right-hand crossing loop (466m/1530ft). Down Siding, trailing. | |
16mi 21ch | Single platform, Up side. | |||
18mi 58ch | 102 | TEP (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-hand crossing loop (410m/1345ft), Down refuge siding. | |
Junction Points | 18mi 76ch | Power Operated junction points. Setting: Down Plunger, Up track circuit | ||
Indications: B (Branch: Garve), M (Main: Invergordon) | ||||
25mi 00ch | 102 | TEP-i (TPWS) | ||
28mi 70ch | Single platform, Down side. | |||
31mi 37ch | 102 | TEP (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-hand crossing loop (395m/1305ft). | |
Distillery No.1 GF | 31mi 76ch | | Ground frame. | |
Distillery No.2 GF | 32mi 07ch | | Ground frame. | |
| 32mi 20ch | 101 | Change of radio channel | |
| 34mi 79ch | ABCL | ||
39mi 25ch | AHBC | |||
40mi 60ch | 101 | TEP-i | Single platform, Up side. | |
44mi 23ch | >112< | TEP (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-hand crossing loop (255m/840ft). | |
| 44mi 36ch | 113 | Change of radio channel | |
57mi 70ch | 113 | TEP-i (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-hand crossing loop (435m/1430ft). | |
61mi 00ch | Single platform, Down side. | |||
61mi 34ch | Single platform, Down side. | |||
66mi 78ch | 113 | TEP (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-hand crossing loop (302m/990ft). Up Siding, trailing. | |
Lairg LC | 67mi 07ch | AOCL+B | Driver's plunger on Lairg Down platform. (Also plungers for Shunting movements) | |
| 70mi 00ch | 126 | Change of radio channel | |
| 72mi 63ch | ABCL | ||
76mi 35ch | AOCL+B | |||
77mi 01ch | 126/112 | TEP-i (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-hand crossing loop (330m/1095ft). All Down trains must stop for Open Level Crossing | |
82mi 44ch | AOCL+B | |||
84mi 30ch | Single platform, Up side. | |||
86mi 15ch | Single platform, Up side. | |||
90mi 31ch | AOCL+B | (Plunger for shunting movements) | ||
Brora | 90mi 48ch | 112 | TEP (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-hand crossing loop (370m/1220ft). |
91mi 30ch | AOCL+B | |||
101mi 40ch | 112 | TEP-i (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-hand crossing loop (255m/840ft). Down Siding, trailing. | |
102mi 38ch | ABCL | |||
111mi 03ch | Open Level Crossing. All trains to stop, whistle and proceed | |||
Kildonan | 111mi 05ch | Single platform, Up side. | ||
118mi 20ch | 112/111 | Single platform, Up side. Change of radio channel | ||
Kinbrace LC | 118mi 25ch | AOCL+B | ||
125mi 67ch | AOCL+B | (Plunger for shunting movements) | ||
Forsinard | 125mi 69ch | 111 | TEP (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-hand crossing loop (250m/820ft). Up Siding, trailing. |
133mi 73ch | 111 | Sdg-i | Up Siding, trailing (for Engineer's trolleys only). | |
Altnabrec | 133mi 76ch | Single Platform, Up side. | ||
143mi 02ch | Single Platform, Down side. | |||
145mi 59ch | ABCL | |||
146mi 53ch | 111 | TEP-i | Down direction only. Combined with Distant board for Georgemas. | |
147mi 20ch | 111 | TEP (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-side Up loop (240m/800ft) ground frame controlled. Up Siding, trailing. | |
Power Operated junction points. Setting: Up plunger, Down track circuit. | ||||
Indications: B (Branch: Thurso), M (Main: Forsinard) | ||||
147mi 56ch | 111 | TEP-i | Up direction only. Combined with Distant board for Georgemas. | |
153mi 68ch | AOCL+B | |||
161mi 36ch | 111 | TEP (TPWS) | Single platform terminus. Loop controlled by ground frame. Down Sidings. |
The power operated points at Georgemas Junction were installed in February 1999. Prior to this the junction was operated with a ground frame.
RETB Signalling: Georgemas Junction - Thurso
Controlled by Inverness Signalling Centre (RETB workstation) Location | Mileage | Radio Channel | Signalling | Remarks |
Georgemas (Junction) | 00mi 00ch | 111 | TEP (TPWS) | Power Operated junction points. Setting: Down plunger, Up track circuit. |
Indications: B (Branch: Thurso), M (Main: Forsinard) | ||||
Georgemas Branch | 00mi 04ch | 111 | TEP-i | Branch Stop Boards within Georgemas Station Limits. |
00mi 72ch | AOCL+B | |||
06mi 50ch | 111 | TEP (TPWS) | Single platform terminus. Loop controlled by ground frame. Down Sidings, Up 'Dock line'. | |
RETB Signalling: Dingwall - Kyle of Lochalsh
Controlled by Inverness Signalling Centre (RETB workstation) Location | Mileage | Radio Channel | Signalling | Remarks |
00mi 00ch | 102 | TEP (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-hand crossing loop (410m/1345ft), Down refuge siding. | |
Junction Points | 00mi 19ch | Power Operated junction points. Setting: Down Plunger, Up track circuit. | ||
Indications: B (Branch: Kyle), M (Main: North Line) | ||||
Dingwall No.1 LC | 00mi 57ch | AFBCL | ||
Dingwall Middle LC | 00mi 67ch | AFBCL | ||
Dingwall No.2 LC | 01mi 05ch | AOCL+B | ||
02mi 31ch | 105 | TEP-i (TPWS) | ||
04mi 55ch | AOCL+B | |||
11mi 65ch | 105 | TEP (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-hand crossing loop (240m/800ft). Up siding, facing. | |
Garve LC | 11mi 72ch | ABCL | Driver's plunger on Garve Down platform, and plunger for Up direction Shunt. | |
17mi 20ch | Single platform, Up side. | |||
21mi 37ch | Single platform, Up side. | |||
27mi 72ch | 105 | TEP-i (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-hand crossing loop (305m/1010ft). Up siding, trailing. | |
| 39mi 00ch | 108 | Change of radio channel | |
40mi 34ch | Single platform, Down side. | |||
42mi 12ch | AOCL+B | |||
44mi 67ch | ABCL | |||
45mi 74ch | 108 | TEP (TPWS) | Two platforms, left-hand crossing loop (235m/780ft). Up siding, trailing. | |
Strathcarron LC | 45mi 75ch | AOCL+B | Driver's plungers on Strathcarron platforms, and plunger for Up direction Shunt. | |
48mi 22ch | Single platform, Down side. | |||
53mi 15ch | Single platform, Up side. | |||
57mi 09ch | Single platform, Down side. | |||
58mi 22ch | Single platform, Up side. | |||
59mi 58ch | Single platform, Down side. | |||
63mi 64ch | 108 | TEP (TPWS) | Two Terminal platforms. Loop and Platform 2 access by Ground frames. East (Down) siding. |
Trains at Kyle normally arrive and depart from Platform 1 ('Up Platform' in the RETB system).
Signalling Notes
- TCB: Track Circuit Block, controlled from Inverness Signalling Centre (I).
- TEP: RETB Token Exchange Point with stop boards
- TEP-i: Intermediate RETB Token Exchange Point. Trains with a 'Long Section' token may pass the stop board.
- Sdg-i: Intermediate Siding with shut-in facillity.
- TPWS: TEP equiped with Train Protection and Warning System. Blue light below Stop Board.
- GF: Ground Frame (controls points).
-
Sidings: Out of Use - IB: Intermediate Block Post
- LC: Level Crossing.
- AOCL: Automatic Open Level Crossing, locally monitored by train driver (flashing white signal).
- AOCL+B: Modified AOCL with addition of half barriers.
- ABCL: Automatic Half Barrier Level Crossing, locally monitored by train driver (flashing white signal).
- AHBC: Automatic Half Barrier Level Crossing, monitored at Signalling Centre.
- AFBCL: Automatic Full Barrier Level Crossing, locally monitored by train driver (flashing white signal).

RETB_Inverness.jpg ยป RETB workstation at Inverness Signalling Centre. August 2005 Photo by Aitken