Used by Tranz Rail in 2002:

Single Line Automatic (SLA)
Centralised Traffic Control (CTC)
Double Line Automatic (DLA)
Track Warrant Control (TWC)
Station Limits
Track and Time Permits (Mis. 60)

Obsolete Systems:

Open Section
One Engine in Steam
Electric Train Tablet
Line Clear (Included in the Tablet Regulations)
Pilot (Included in the Tablet and various of the other Regulations)
Train Staff & Ticket (deleted from Rule Book on 9 July 1956)
Manual Block (in the form Lock & Block and maybe Preece's instruments - Semaphore to CTC suggests that Preece's equipment was purchased but never used in NZ)
Winter Block
Lemon Block

Regulations For Working Single-Line Railways By The Electric Train Tablet System

(1965)

This document defines three safeworking methods - Tablet, Pilot and Line Clear.

Includes a detailed description of Tablet Machine Operation; Bell Signals; Switching Stations In and Out; Locking of Signal Levers at Switch Out Stations; Bank Engine Keys; Suspension of Tablet Working; Pilot Working; Line Clear Working; Automatic Tablet Exchangers.

The tablet system was first installed in New Zealand in 1901 and the last section (Featherston - Masterton - Woodville) closed in 1994. See Train Advice 5685. Regulation 33 was the very last tablet regulation obeyed.

Regulations For Working Single-Line Railways By The Train Staff And Ticket System

(1943)

Includes: Description; Trains to carry Staff or Ticket; Shunting outside Home signals; Crossing trains; Work trains; Obstructions; Portion of train left on section; Engine disabled; Lost staff; Pilot working.

This safe working system was sometimes used on the Hutt Park Line. See Train Advice 271.

A letter dated 16 June 1943 introduced the 1943 Rules and Regulations to "All Employees concerned with the Running of Trains". This version of the Rule Book came into operation on 1 November 1943. Staff & Ticket was deleted from the 1943 Rule Book on 9 July 1956.

Regulations For Automatic Signalling

(1965)

The 1965 Automatic Signalling Regulations are an amalgam of Single Line Automatic, Double Line Automatic and CTC - unlike the later 1988 Rule Book which is more logically laid out.

The regulations include: Description and Meaning of Signals; Classification of Signals; Departure Signals; Attended and Unattended Crossing Stations; Pilot Working; Loss of Pilot Key; Train Disabled; Suspension of Automatic Signalling; Crossing Orders; "T" Lights and "Wanted Winkers".

Illustrated Guide To Three Position Colour Light Signals

(Not Dated)

The Seven Principal Aspects Displayed And Their Indications

A training document issued by the NZR. This document is undated but as it was issued by the NZR it is presumably earlier than 1979.

Strictly speaking this document does not belong here as it is a signalling, not safeworking, document.

Track Warrant Control Regulations

(Generic)

The regulations include Limits of Track Warrant; Methods of Issuing Warrants; Cancelling Warrants; Warrant Stations; Working of Sidings; Passing Signals at Stop; Train Divided; Train Stopped by Accident or Failure.

In Track Warrant areas a single form is all that is required; contrast this with the multitude of forms requred in other areas. Track Warrant Control (TWC) is currently used north of Featherston in the Wairarapa (in the area covered by my ValleySignals site)

This document contains regulations similar to those used by Tranz Rail.

Track And Time Permits

(2008)

A Mis. 60 Track and Time Permit is a numbered authority issued by Train Control to protect movements on the main line where additional safeguards are necessary. Any portion of the main line may be closed by a Mis 60 (Similar to a Block of Line train advice). In double line automatic areas Mis 60s may be used to authorise wrong line running or setting back movements. A Mis 60 must not be used in Track Warrant Control areas.

When there is a Block of Line north of Waterloo a Mis 60 acts as the equivalent of a Pilotman's Ticket on the down main between Waterloo and Woburn.

Rules And Regulations

(1965)

To Be Observed By ALL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE CONNECTED WITH THE RUNNING OF TRAINS

Includes: General Rules; Precautions For Safe Operation; Hand signals; Whistle Signals; Fixed Signals; Accident, failure or obstruction; Pilot working; Train Advices; Train Control System; Working Of Stations And Trains; Trolleys And Velocipedes; Permanent Way And Works and The Westinghouse Air Brake.

This page contains a selection of these rules. For the complete set of rules download a pdf version of the Rule Book .

Other Safeworking Methods

Special Bulletins and local instructions can define other safeworking methods on specified sections of line. I must, when motivated, create a page about these methods.

Three that spring to mind are the Operation of the Gracefield Industrial Siding, a form of Pilot Working at Woburn, when there is a Block of Line from Waterloo to Upper Hutt, and operation within Station Limits.