Train operation since 1955 Ffestiniog Railway

a ffestiniog railway train leaves porthmadog , heads towards blaenau ffestiniog along cob

the ffestiniog railway operates on electric token system (ets) using mixture of miniature , large train staffs, under overall control of duty controller based @ porthmadog.

miniature train staffs provided for:-

porthmadog minffordd (intermediate instrument @ boston lodge)
minffordd tanybwlch – long section (intermediate instrument @ rhiw goch)
tanybwlch tanygrisiau (intermediate instrument @ dduallt)
tanygrisiau blaenau ffestiniog (intermediate instrument @ glan-y-pwll)

large train staffs provided for:-

minffordd rhiw goch – short section
rhiw goch tanybwlch – short section

the short section train staffs brought service opening rhiw goch signalbox, hence trapping minffordd tanybwlch long section miniature train staff in lever frame, when signal box opened , manned signalman.

the signalling , ets equipment designed train crew operation. obtain permission withdraw train staff enter single line section, control has contacted.

the control office regulates train running, giving permission trains enter single line sections, recording train movements on train graph, ensuring trains formed of appropriate number of carriages (depending on expected train loadings), acting single point of contact in rare event of failure occurring rolling stock, , making station announcements @ porthmadog

the control office responsible train operation on welsh highland railway , regulates trains welsh highland railway limited, including interface network rail ertms signaller (in shrewsbury) clear whr route crosses main cambrian coast (standard gauge) line @ grade between minffordd , porthmadog. possibly narrow-gauge/standard-gauge level crossing in uk, , interface between 19th century signalling , 21st century signalling systems.