Method & apparatus for an auxiliary train control system

A train control system that includes a plurality of wayside signal control devices, wherein a signal control device tracks the number of trains operating in an associated track section, wherein each train is identified by a train signature that includes the number of axles in the train, and wherein a signal control device comprises:

• an axle counter for detecting the number of axles of a train passing its location,
• at least one of a radio communication module and a data communication module for exchanging data with adjacent signal control devices,
• a processor module with a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program,
• a computer program segment that tracks the trains operating within said track section, and
• a computer program segment that generates and transmits a movement authority limit to an approaching train.

A signal control device that controls the movement of an approaching train into an associated absolute permissive block, comprising:

• an axle counter for detecting the crossing of a train passed its location,
• at least one of a radio communication module and a data communication module for exchanging data with at least one of a similar signal control device, an interlocking control device and a zone controller,
• a processor module with a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program,
• a computer program segment that tracks data associated with trains operating within said absolute permissive block, and
• a computer program segment that generates and transmits a movement authority limit to a train approaching its location.

A method for a train control device that controls the movement of a train into an associated absolute permissive block, wherein the device includes an axle counter to detect the movement of a train past its location, wherein the device includes means for communicating with trains and at least one of adjacent wayside train control devices, a zone controller and an interlocking control device, and wherein the device includes a processor module with a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program to control the operation of the device, comprising the following steps:

• acquiring data related to trains passing its location,
• tracking the number of trains operating in said absolute block section,
• exchanging data with adjacent wayside train control devices,
• generating a movement authority limit for a train approaching its location, and
• transmitting said movement authority limit to the approaching train.

A method for initializing a zone controller using an auxiliary train control installation that includes a plurality of signal control devices, wherein a signal control device tracks data of trains operating in an associated absolute block section, and wherein a signal control device includes means for exchanging data with the zone controller, comprising the following steps:

• monitoring the movement of trains entering and exiting absolute block sections,
• tracking data of trains operating within said absolute block sections,
• upon the recovery of the zone controller, establishing communication between the zone controller and signal control devices, and
• communicating trains data from signal control devices to the zone controller.