The major fact about this railway is that it is not possible to see one end of the line from the other..........

Although working trains ‘By Line of Sight’ is perfectly acceptable in the Yard Areas at each end of the railway, it is expected that visiting live steam locomotives (which can go at a fair old pace) and other heavy vehicles will be running on the Single Line between the Yard Areas where the view of the line ahead is restricted in places. - This being the case, a method of Working by Token has been devised, and is described as follows : -

 
Yard Areas -

Working of Trains by ‘Line of Sight’ applies inside the Yard Areas at each end of the railway at all times.

The Limit of each Yard Area is marked by a colour light Yard Exit Signal, and a Yard Entrance Marker, placed back-to-back.
The Single Line and Token –
 

Only one train is permitted to occupy the Single Line between the Yard Areas at any time
The ‘Driver’ of each train requiring to pass over the Single Line must be in possession of this Token at all times when any part of his or her train occupies the Single Line.

This view shows the specially-electrically configured plug at the ‘Active End’ of the Token, which is used to clear the Yard Exit Signals.

When not in use, this Token must be hung on the side of one of the Token Instruments! –

Token Instruments are positioned adjacent to the final points on the departure roads in the Yard Areas.
Yard Exit Signals –
Each end of the Single Line is protected by a colour light Yard Exit Signal.

Each Yard Exit Signal is provided with a white sign bearing the words –

‘START OF TOKEN SECTION’

These signals are automatically cleared by the action of ‘Withdrawing the Token’ from their associated Token Instrument.

All Yard Exit Signals must be strictly obeyed at all times!

  

 
Treadles –
 

A side-acting Treadle is provided ahead of each Yard Exit Signal.

These Treadles ensure that any train passing over them, automatically resets the relays in their associated Token Instrument to ‘Normal’, and replaces the associated Yard Exit Signal to Danger.
Yard Entrance Markers –

The entrance to each Yard Area is marked by a red sign bearing the words -

‘END OF TOKEN SECTION’

  
Token Instruments –
 

These are positioned adjacent to the final points on the departure roads in each Yard Area. –

In the case shown here, the Token has been left hanging in its correct place, which is on the side one of the Token Instruments ready for use by the ‘driver’ of the next train to be taken over the Single Line.
     

With the roof removed, - the interior of a Token Instrument

From Left to Right –

Charging Condenser for the Single-Stroke Bell
Current Limiting Resistor for the Charging Condenser
Single Stroke Bell (This sounds one beat when the associated Yard Exit Signal clears)
Heater Resistor
‘Train Ready to Start’ Relay
Signal Relay
Red ‘Cancelling’ Button
Green ‘Train Ready to Start’ Button
Token Socket
Yellow ‘Withdraw Token’ Indicator

  
Method of Working -
 

Locomotive No. 7811, ‘Steelman Copeland’, waits patiently by the Token Instrument in the Yard Area at Coolamusta Mine -

After ‘Taking the Token’, the door giving access to the Token Instrument’s Controls is slid open.

Token Instrument Controls –

Close-Up From the Top -


Yellow ‘Withdraw Token’ Indicator
Token Socket
Green ‘Train Ready to Start’ Button
Red ‘Cancelling’ Button

  
     
 
 
To start the sequence of ‘Putting the Token through the Instrument’, the ‘Active End’ of the Token is firstly inserted into the Token Socket. – This ensures that the system registers that the Token is present and ready at this end of the Single Line.
     
 
     
The Green ‘Train Ready to Start’ Button is then pressed, and the Yellow ‘Withdraw Token’ Indicator becomes illuminated.
     
 
     
The Token is then ‘Withdrawn’ from the instrument.
 
The action of ‘Withdrawing the Token’ automatically clears the Yard Exit Signal and activates the Single-Stroke Bell.
 
 
With the Token now in the ‘Driver’s’ possession, and the Yard Exit Signal showing a green aspect, ‘Steelman Copeland’ drifts away towards the Single Line.
  
 
As ‘Steelman Copeland’ passes the Yard Exit Signal protecting the Single Line, it activates the treadle, which resets the relays in the Token Instrument to ‘Normal’ and replaces the Yard Exit Signal to ‘Danger’.
The reason for the use of Token Working on this railway becomes evident as ‘Steelman Copeland’ rounds the curve.
  
 
The Harrison Point Yard Entrance Marker is in sight!
Now that ‘Steelman Copeland’ is clear of the Single Line, the Token is ‘Given Up’, and hung on the side the Token Instrument, ready for use by the next ‘Driver’ when he or she is ready to take the next train over the Single Line, regardless of which end of the railway that that train will be entering the Single Line from.
  
 
Looking back to where we have just come from, as we prepare for the return journey!