The token
For those not familiar with the system, especially those out of the UK, this photo illustrates the railway token system in action. The gentleman in the safety vest has just handed the token to the locomotive's fireman. Taken at Swanage Railway, both are volunteers with the heritage line.
Now that 34072 "257 Squadron" has possession of the only token that exists for the section of single line that begins just after the bridge, that means no other engine can enter that length of track. It is a very simple and very safe way of operating. Performed manually here, on mainline single tracks such as nearby between Moreton and Dorchester South, tokens are now issued electronically.
The token
For those not familiar with the system, especially those out of the UK, this photo illustrates the railway token system in action. The gentleman in the safety vest has just handed the token to the locomotive's fireman. Taken at Swanage Railway, both are volunteers with the heritage line.
Now that 34072 "257 Squadron" has possession of the only token that exists for the section of single line that begins just after the bridge, that means no other engine can enter that length of track. It is a very simple and very safe way of operating. Performed manually here, on mainline single tracks such as nearby between Moreton and Dorchester South, tokens are now issued electronically.