In Great Britain, the Sectional Appendix is a
railway document compiled by
Network Rail
Network Rail Limited is the owner (via its subsidiary Network Rail Infrastructure Limited, which was known as Railtrack plc before 2002) and infrastructure manager of most of the railway network in Great Britain. Network Rail is an "arm's leng ...
and is the official definition of
railway
Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...
infrastructure, giving a detailed description of all railway lines owned by Network Rail. It has traditionally been published in printed format, originally as a bound book and subsequently in
loose-leaf
A loose leaf is a piece of paper of any kind that is not bound in place, or available on a continuous roll, and may be punched so as to be organized in a ring binder. Loose leaf paper may be sold as free sheets, or made up into notepads, where p ...
format, for ease of updating.
History
In earlier years, instructions to traincrews relating to the operation of the railway were included within the
working timetable
A working timetable (WTT) - (Fr. ''horaire de service (HDS)'' or ''service annuel (SA)''; N. America ''Employee timetable'') - The data defining all planned train and rolling-stock movements which will take place on the relevant infrastructure duri ...
s. As the volume of instructions increased, they later came to be published in a separate document, known in full as the ''"Sectional Appendix to the Working Timetable"'' or similar.
Content
There are modules for different areas, e.g. KSW2 covers Kent and Sussex. Each module may be divided in a similar way to the following sections:
Section 1: Route Module
;Maps
Outline maps providing a general overview of the route showing lines, station names, and reference numbers. The numbers relate to pages in the detailed Table A diagrams.
;Exceptionally poor rail adhesion
This is a list of known areas for exceptionally poor railhead conditions. It states the route, location, lines affected, and the mileage references between which it occurs.
;Table A diagrams
This section comprises the main bulk of the module, and contains detailed maps. Information available includes;
*Name, maximum speed and direction of running lines
*Location of junctions and crossovers, and the maximum speed across them
*Name of Signal box/signalling centre controlling the lines
*NRN,
Cab Secure Radio
Cab Secure Radio (CSR) was an in-cab analog transmission, analogue radiotelephone system formerly used on parts of the Rail transport in Great Britain, British railway network. Its main function was to provide a secure communication, secure speec ...
and
GSM-R
GSM-R, Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway or GSM-Railway is an international wireless communications standard for railway communication and applications.
A sub-system of European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), it is us ...
area coverage details
*Name and location of stations, platform identities and the maximum number or coach lengths they can accommodate
*Location and names of bridges, crossings and all significant infrastructure
*Location of sidings, yards, sheds, stabling and maintenance facilities
*Location of Electrical control rooms, and type of
Traction current
A railway electrification system supplies electric power to railway trains and trams without an on-board prime mover or local fuel supply.
Electric railways use either electric locomotives (hauling passengers or freight in separate cars), ele ...
supply where applicable
*Location of Electrical substations and Track paralleling huts where applicable
All distances are given in
miles and
chains
A chain is a serial assembly of connected pieces, called links, typically made of metal, with an overall character similar to that of a rope in that it is flexible and curved in compression but linear, rigid, and load-bearing in tension. A c ...
.
;Special Working Arrangement
Special arrangement is a condition where a specific location requires there to be an operational variance to the Rulebook, or an addition to it. This section details a route, locations where the arrangement begins and ends, the type of train this applies to, the line affected, and details of the operation.
Section 2: Route Availability
This is a list of which train types are permitted to travel over each route referenced to Table A. It specifies every class of train allowed, sectionalised by type;
*Route Clearance of Diesel Multiple Unit Trains
*Route Clearance of Electric Multiple Unit Trains
*Route Clearance of Coaching Stock
*Route Clearance of Locomotives
Section 3: General Instructions
Provides general information pertaining to operations over the whole area/route.
Section 4: Local Instructions
Provides detailed information relating to specific practices at given locations.
National Electronic Sectional Appendix
The "National Electronic Sectional Appendix" (NESA) is an
online
In computer technology and telecommunications, online indicates a state of connectivity and offline indicates a disconnected state. In modern terminology, this usually refers to an Internet connection, but (especially when expressed "on line" o ...
alternative to hard copy Sectional Appendices, although the latter are still being published and can be bought on-line, direct from Willsons Printers
of
Newark
Newark most commonly refers to:
* Newark, New Jersey, city in the United States
* Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey; a major air hub in the New York metropolitan area
Newark may also refer to:
Places Canada
* Niagara-on-the ...
. Willsons also supply the various parts of the Rule Book
in printed form and other items such as the
AC Electrified Lines Instructions.
Periodically updated electronic versions of the Sectional Appendix are available in PDF format from the Network Rail website.
References
{{reflist
External links
National Electronic Sectional Appendix
Rail infrastructure in the United Kingdom
Network Rail