Block system

It was necessary for railroads to utilize some means of spacing trains at safe distances and to provide them with a clear track. The method now generally in use to accomplish this purpose is called the block system. A block is a length of track of definite limits, governed by block signals.It is possible for trains to pass through the blocks, and through the several sets of signals constituting each block as rapidly as considerations of safety warrant with regard operating conditions, speed of trains, and the braking distance required.

Block signals are considered to be now largely under electric control. Further developments in connection with the control of train movements are systems of centralized traffic and interlocking plants at intersections.

A system of centralized traffic control (CTC) centralizes dispatching at a given point, where a dispatcher controls train movements over an extensive area.

An interlocking is an arrangement of signal appliances so interconnected that their movement must succeed each other in predetermined order. This prevents two trains from receiving a proceed signal at the same time at railway crossings.

Vocabulary

The method now generally in use to accomplish this purpose – метод, який зараз широко використовується для досягнення цілі

as rapidly as considerations of safety warrant – так швидко, наскільки це доцільно в цілях безпеки

interlocking plant – централізаційний апарат

a system of centralized traffic control (CTC) – система диспетчерської централізації

Дати письмову відповідь на запитання

1.What method of spacing trains provide them with a clear track

2.What is a blocksystem?

3.What are the further developments in connection with the control of train movements?

7. The history of railways.

We usually think of railways as a means of travel. It is true that railways are often used for travel, but their most important function is to carry freight.

Railways play a very important part in the national economy of a country because the economic and political development of a country depends on a wide network of transportation sys­tems. Although we have now faster and more modern means of communication and transport, railways are still the safest and the moat popular means of transportation.

The early railways were not like the railways we have today. The very first railways used horses for drawing trains and were put into operation for transporting such products as coal, ore and timber. Later on, the horse railways were used as pas­senger transport in large cities. But these railways did not last long.

One of the first attempts to use the steam engine to draw passenger and freight trains was made in 1808 by Richard Trevithick, an Englishman, who demonstrated his working model in London. This locomotive was looked at with great interest when it ran on a circular track of iron fails. For a shilling the public could travel in a carriage drawn by the steam engine. The locomotive was called "Catch-me-who-can", and people could really catch it because it developed only 12 mph, But one day a rail broke and the locomotive overturned, ending Trevithick's career as an inventor.

In 1829 George Stephenson, an English inventor and engi­neer, built a successful steam locomotive which he called the "Rocket". This locomotive was much smaller and lighter than the steam locos developed later on, and it was much slower. However, it could draw a small train of loaded care on the railway and developed an unheard-of speed of 13 mph (21 kph). The invention of the steam locomotives made the railway the most important of all means of transportation.

Stephenson not only constructed the world's first steam locomotive but he was also the builder of the first public railway in England - the Stockton and Darlington railway using both steam and horses as tractive power. This railway was success and Stephenson was asked to build another railway, now steam-powered between Liverpool and Manchester.

It is difficult for the people living in the second half of the 20th, century to imagine the opposition to the building of the early railroads. Most people did not believe that it was possible to make locomotives suitable for service. Many of them were afraid of the railways when they first appeared and did all in their power to stop railway construction. How­ever, in 1824 the steam-powered railways were already in wide use in England.

8. TRANSPORTATION FOR THE 21^st CENTURY