EP1682395B1 - Work train circulation assistance method and system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates first of all to a method of assisting the circulation of work trains on a railway line under construction.

On an exploited line, a lane is cut into cantons of 400 to 2500 m, on each of which trains run at a speed depending on a signal presented at the entrance of the canton, generally the color of a traffic light, which is green, if the canton is free, orange, if the following canton is occupied by a train - the fire at the entrance of this next canton is red, and red, if the preceding canton is occupied.

For a train to run on a block at the speed of the line, that is to say, to drive "in canton", it is preferred that the two cantons at least following this block are free of any other train. It is in these conditions that the signal is green at the entrance of the canton in question.

The presence of a train on a block is detected by a track circuit that controls the signaling that has just been mentioned.

Equipping a line under construction of such a signaling system is out of the question. The cost would be prohibitive.

Until now, signage for the circulation of trains-work on the tracks of a railway line under construction was provided empirically by site personnel using placards and other signs and radio means and telephone. The major drawback of such an empirical solution, not to mention the requirement of a large workforce, is to limit the speed of trains on the tracks, drivers being obliged to drive "in work", that is to say -say at sight.

The document US 4,538,781 describes a data transmission facility between the track and a vehicle running on it for railway safety.

• à deux voies adjacentes,
• chaque voie étant banalisée, c'est-à-dire que les trains peuvent y circuler dans les deux sens.

The applicant therefore proposes a new solution here, but within the restricted framework of a new line under construction

• two adjacent lanes,
• each way being unmarked, that is to say that the trains can circulate in both directions.

• on découpe les voies en secteurs Si s'étendant entre deux postes d'extrémité (i et i + 2) sur lesquels les trains peuvent circuler en canton ou en travail,
• sur demande, d'autorisation de circuler en canton dans un sens sur un secteur donné Si, d'un agent d'escorte d'un train au chef de PC,
• on vérifie si un autre train circule sur le secteur considéré Si,
• on vérifie si un autre train circule sur le secteur suivant S_i+2 en sens inverse,
• on vérifie si le secteur adjacent S_i+1 de la voie adjacente est en travail et,
• si les trois vérifications sont négatives,
• l'autorisation est donnée par le chef de PC à l'agent d'escorte de faire circuler son train en canton.

Thus, the present application relates first of all to a method of assisting the circulation of work trains on a railway line under construction with two adjacent unmarked tracks managed from a central station PC by a chief of a PC, in which

• the channels are cut into Si sectors extending between two end stations (i and i + 2) on which the trains can circulate in township or in work,
• on request, authorization to travel in a canton in a direction on a given sector If, from an escort officer of a train to the chief of PC,
• we check if another train is running on the considered sector Si,
• it is checked whether another train is traveling on the following sector S _{i + 2} in the opposite direction,
• checking whether the adjacent sector S _{i + 1} of the adjacent channel is working and,
• if the three checks are negative,
• authorization is given by the chief of the PC to the escort officer to circulate his train in canton.

The technical effect of the method of the invention resides in the faculty, under certain conditions, of circulating a train-work at the speed of the line, much higher than the speed of movement in sight and to save precious time. . For the sake of clarity, the invention makes it possible, in sectors of 10 to 15 km, to reach a speed of 80 km / h, instead of 3.0 km / h in work, and to travel at an average speed of 45 km. 50 km / h when it is only 20-25 km / h with a traffic in sight.

• on vérifie qu'aucun train ne circule en sens inverse sur le poste i+2 terminant le secteur Si considéré
• pour autoriser la circulation en canton sur le secteur Si considéré.

Preferably, each post delimiting a sector, extending over a certain length,

• it is verified that no train is traveling in the opposite direction on the station i + 2 ending the sector Si considered
• to authorize the circulation in canton on the sector If considered.

Advantageously, a train leaving a beam forming a sorting zone of a base-works borrows a connection station before traveling on the line, an agent of the switching-sorting station, after agreement of the head of PC , controlling the planned route through the connection station.

In this case, after actuating the switches of the connection station, the agent of the switching-sorting station can issue the departure authorization of the training beam train to circulate on the line.

• quand il atteint un début de poste Pi, le train circule jusqu'à se trouver complètement sur la longueur du poste et l'agent d'escorte effectue alors une demande au chef de PC de circuler en canton sur le secteur Si suivant et
• quand il atteint une fin de poste Pi, il se conforme à une injonction d'attente ou à une autorisation de circuler sur le secteur Si.

More preferably, it is signaled to the work train that it reaches a start or end of post Pi and:

• when it reaches the beginning of the post Pi, the train runs until it is completely on the length of the post and the escort officer then makes a request to the head of PC to circulate in canton on the sector Si following and
• when he reaches the end of the Pi post, he complies with a waiting order or authorization to circulate on the Si sector.

• un ordinateur au poste central comportant des moyens de gestion et des moyens de traitement des données et un panneau synoptique d'exploitation de la ligne en construction, avec au moins ses voies, ses secteurs et ses postes d'extrémité,
• des moyens de communication entre le chef de PC et des agents d'escorte des trains-travaux pour demande, d'autorisation de circuler en canton dans un sens sur un secteur donné Si, d'un agent d'escorte d'un train au chef de PC,
• des moyens de mémorisation de messages (Mi),
• des moyens de localisation d'un train sur les secteurs de la ligne, reliés à l'ordinateur,
• des moyens de détection du sens de marche d'un train sur les secteurs de la ligne, reliés à l'ordinateur,
• des moyens de saisie de l'état de travail des secteurs, reliés à l'ordinateur et
• les moyens de traitement traitant les données des moyens de détection et de localisation pour que, si
  1. a) aucun autre train ne circule sur un secteur considéré Si,
  2. b) aucun autre train ne circule sur le secteur suivant Si+2 en sens inverse,
  3. c) le secteur Si+1 adjacent du secteur Si de la voie adjacente n'est pas en travail,

le chef de PC autorise l'agent d'escorte d'un train à circuler en canton sur le secteur considéré Si de l'extrémité i à l'extrémité i+2.The invention also relates to a system for assisting the circulation of work trains on a railway line under construction in two adjacent unmarked tracks managed from a central station PC by a PC chief, the channels being divided into sectors Si extending between two end stations Pi (i and i + 2) on which the trains can circulate in township or in work, the system comprising

• a computer at the central station comprising management means and data processing means and a synoptic panel for operating the line under construction, with at least its tracks, sectors and end stations,
• means of communication between the chief of the PC and agents escort trains-work for application, authorization to circulate in a canton in a direction on a given sector Si, from an escort agent of a train to PC boss,
• means for storing messages (Mi),
• means for locating a train on the sectors of the line, connected to the computer,
• means for detecting the direction of travel of a train on the sectors of the line, connected to the computer,
• means for entering the working state of the sectors, connected to the computer and
• the processing means processing the data of the detection and location means so that, if
  1. (a) no other train is traveling on a sector considered
  2. (b) no other train is traveling on the following sector Si + 2 in the opposite direction,
  3. (c) the adjacent Si + 1 sector of the Si sector of the adjacent track is not in work,

the chief of the PC authorizes the escort agent of a train to circulate in canton on the considered sector Si from the end i to the end i + 2.

Preferably, a sector Si is represented on the mimic of the central station PC as generally occupied when a train-work circulates there.

• des signalisations de début et de fin des postes Pi encadrant les secteurs Si et identifiant les postes et les secteurs,
• des moyens de communication entre le train et le poste central agencés pour échanger des messages (Mi), notamment des demandes (M1), des injonctions d'attente (N2) ou des autorisations (M3).

More preferably, the means for locating the trains on the sectors comprise:

• signals of beginning and end of the positions Pi framing the sectors Si and identifying the posts and the sectors,
• means of communication between the train and the central station arranged to exchange messages (Mi), including requests (M1), waiting orders (N2) or authorizations (M3).

Still preferably, the signals are indicating panels, but can also be, according to a more elaborate embodiment, radio beacons.

In the first case, it is the escort agent who causes the transmission of the request messages and interprets the responses of the PC manager, while in the second case, this transmission can be automatic.

• la figure 1 illustre le principe général de circulation des trains-travaux en canton selon le procédé de l'invention ;
• les figures 2, 3 et 4 montrent un exemple de signalisations équipant les lignes de chemin de fer pour la localisation des trains sur les secteurs, comportant respectivement une voie non banalisée, une voie banalisée et deux voies banalisées;
• la figure 5 est un schéma par blocs fonctionnels du système d'aide à la circulation selon l'invention ;
• la figure 6 est un organigramme illustrant un exemple type d'échange de messages, conforme à l'invention, entre les trains-travaux et le poste central;
• la figure 7 est un organigramme de fonctionnement du système d'aide selon le procédé de l'invention et
• la figure 8 montre un exemple de visualisation d'un panneau synoptique de lignes en construction et du contrôle de la circulation selon le procédé de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description of the system for assisting the circulation of work trains according to the invention and of the method which it implements, with reference to the appended drawing in which

• the figure 1 illustrates the general principle of circulation trains-work in township according to the method of the invention;
• the Figures 2, 3 and 4 show an example of signalisations equipping the railway lines for locating trains on the sectors, comprising respectively a non-banalized lane, an unmarked lane and two unmarked lanes;
• the figure 5 is a functional block diagram of the traffic aid system according to the invention;
• the figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a typical example of message exchange, according to the invention, between the work train and the central station;
• the figure 7 is an operating flowchart of the help system according to the method of the invention and
• the figure 8 shows an example of visualization of a synoptic panel of lines under construction and control of the circulation according to the method of the invention.

With reference to the figure 1 the tracks 100 'and 100 "of the railway line 200 under construction connect at least one EC building site to its base-works BT.

The BT work base is designed to allow the construction and distribution of TTX work trains A, B, ... on the line 200, for the CE elementary worksite.

Thus, a train departing from a formation beam 196 of a marshalling yard 197 takes a connection station 199 before traveling on the line, an officer of the switch-yard station 195 from PC leader 194 agreement, controlling the planned route through the connection station 199.

The lines are arranged as described below:

A line 200 is cut into successive adjacent sectors Si, S _{i + 2} , ... on the channel 100 'and S _{i + 1} , S _{i + 3} , ... on the adjacent channel 100. Positions P _i , P _{i + 2} , ... and P _{i + 1} , P _{i + 3} , ..., respectively, delimit these sectors on these pathways.

The positions P _i , P _{i + 2} , ... have a length of track 120, 140, ... of at least 1500 meters, while the sectors Si, S _{i + 2} , ... can have a length of way 130, 150, ... much larger (about 10 km) so as to allow them to drive "in canton" at a speed of 80 km / hour. By comparison, the positions are always traveled in line except when they serve as a parking lot.

Based on this sectoral arrangement, the system 400 ( figure 5 ) assistance to the movement of trains-work comprises first signs along the tracks allowing escort officers to locate the TTX train they escort.

These signals may be frequency radio beacons set on the special channels recognized by equipment on board the trains, but here, it is more simply preferred indicator panels, as described below.

In addition, the traffic aid system 400 includes on-board electronic means available to escort leaders on trains to assist a PC chief at a central PC station to regulate and control train traffic. These electronic means will be described later.

With regard to signaling, with reference to the figure 2 on an unmarked lane 100 circulating in a single direction 101 are arranged indication signs 121, 141, ... of the beginning of the positions P _i , P _{i + 2} , each bearing an inscription, for example DP 21 ( beginning of item No. 21), ... DP 41 (beginning of item No. 41), and placards 122, 142 ... for purposes of positions Pi, P _{i + 2} , ... each carrying an inscription FP21, PF41 ... (end of the post 21, 41, etc.). These inscriptions identify each station P _i reached by the train-work while locating the beginning and the end of the part 120, 140 of the way where it is possible to park. They are only visible from a train running in direction 101.

With reference to the figure 3 on an unmarked track 100 admitting two opposite directions of circulation 101 and 102, the track lengths 120, 140,... of the stations P _i , P _{i + 2} have ends which are at the same time beginnings of stations for a station. direction of traffic and post purposes for the opposite direction of traffic.

This is why, on these unmarked tracks, we have placed additional signs 221, 222, 241, 242 ... on the back of the signs 122, 121, 142, 141, ... only visible, them, from the trains circulating in the sense 102.

To differentiate the traffic directions 101 and 102, additional placards 123, 124 indicating which LR radio channel the TTX work train must communicate with the central station PC, the channels being different on these two signs.

The radio channels used, or the sequence of the numbers of stations and sectors traveled, constitute data of detection of the direction of movement of the trains.

In the case of a line 200 comprising two adjacent 100 'and 100 "unmarked paths, with reference to FIG. figure 4 , the tracks are organized in positions Pi and Si sectors on the track 100 'and positions P _{i + 1} (220, 240) and sectors S _{i + 1} adjacent (230, 250) on the adjacent channel 100 ", and comprise placards indication arranged as before (221, 222 ... - 122, 121 ... and 421, 422 ... - 322, 321 ...). Additional signs indicate the V1 or V2 channel number. Finally, switches 301 and 302 are arranged to connect and allow to trivialize the two adjacent channels, bypass the building sites if necessary and ensure the crossings of trains traveling in opposite directions on the same track.

These various signals allow the escort officer to locate the train in the sectors and posts, and to transmit traffic data and / or location of the train he escorts to the PC head. Each train TTX 80 ( figure 5 ) comprises a radio transmitter / receiver 81 and, coupled thereto, a human-machine interface (HMI) 82, with a keyboard and a screen not shown, and allowing the escort agent to send messages to a central station 90 and to receive, through the LR channel of a radio link with him.

The central station 90 includes central communication means 91 including a radio transceiver 92 and a modem 93 for converting the received signals baseband assimilable by a computer 94 for regulating and controlling the movement of trains.

The computer 94 essentially comprises management means and data processing means in conjunction with a synoptic panel 70, here a video display screen, means 50 for storing the messages and means 60 for storing data, in particular to control the display of the synoptic panel in display data characteristic of the lines, sectors, stations and the location of the train-work and the elementary building sites.

The computer 94 comprises means 95 for managing messages received on the modem 93, means 96 for processing the detection and location data contained in the received messages and means 97 for managing messages to be transmitted by the modem 93. It is furthermore connected to input means 98, here an HMI human-machine interface comprising at least one keyboard and an alphanumeric screen, in particular for inputting control data of the synoptic panel, including the display data, and for storing them in the means 60, or make requests for displaying the messages stored in the means 50 in the form of a logbook.

The module 95 dates and stores the messages received in the means 50 and the module 97 for managing the messages to be generated generates date and stores the messages sent in these same means 50. As for the module 96 for processing the detection and location data, it is arranged to interpret the messages received, check the traffic conditions, deduce the content of the messages to be sent, and possibly update the synoptic panel.

The operation of the system 400 to aid the circulation of trains-work in township will now be described.

With reference to the figure 6 when the train escort officer 80 has been authorized to leave his BT work base, issued by the switch-yard station agent, the train 80 may, during a step 1, to travel and to gain access to a post Pi of track 100 'of line 200 while in visual movement on the track portion 120 of the station, from the beginning of the station indicated by sign 121, until the end of the post, indicated by sign 122.

The escort officer, that is train 80, then requests, in step 2, the chief of the PC, that is to say the central station 90, the authorization to drive on the channel length 130 of the sector Si by transmitting a radio message M1 on the channel LR by its transceiver 81. The channel LR used, indicated beforehand by a sign 123 (or 124), is here specific to the direction of circulation 101 ( or 102).

For this, the escort agent enters on the HMI 82 the data comprising the message M1, that is to say at least the identification A of the train and the number P identifying the item Pi reached, indicated on the sign 121 of the beginning of the post (DP21).

In step 3, this message M1 is received by the transceiver 92 of the PC 90, is digitized and decoded by the modem 93, then, in the following step 4, after storage in the means 50 and display on the HMI 98 by the module 95, is analyzed by the processing module 96. This analysis is performed according to certain criteria, developed later, to decide the mode of circulation on the channel length 130 of the sector Si or the stopping the train on the track lane 120 of the station Pi.

If the result of the analysis is negative, in step 5, an M2 waiting message is generated by the module 97 for managing the messages to be sent and, at the same time, time stored in the means 50, is transmitted by the transceiver 92 to the transceiver 81 of the train A, for example, by the same channel LR.

The reception by the escort agent of the message M2 has the effect, in step 7, of causing the train to stop at the end-of-station sign 122.

If the result of the analysis is positive, the management module 97 of the messages to be sent, in step 6, generates an authorization message M3 to the train A to circulate in township on the track length 130 of the sector Si. This message M3 is also stored in the means 50.

In step 8, this message is transmitted to the train 1 by the transceiver 92. As a result, the escort agent, in step 9, transmits an acknowledgment message M4 to the leader. of PC and in step 10, the train A circulates in Canton on sector Si.

In step 11, the acknowledgment message M4 is managed by the management module 95 and the processing module 96 updates the synoptic panel 70 by storing, in the means 60, the occupation of the sector Si by the train A.

The traffic control method described above is identically repeated each time the TTX train reaches a new station Pi until it arrives at the EC building site.

The logbook, stored as seen in the memory 50, can be viewed at any time on screen and operated for example on request of the PC head through the HMI 98, in correlation with the synoptic panel 70, which gives him all the help he needs.

More specifically, with reference to the figure 7 on receiving a message Mi from the train 80 by the receiver 92 of the PC station 90, during a step 21, the transceiver 92 transmits the message Mi to the modem 93 transforming the received analog message into an understandable digital message by the computer 94 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. During step 22, the received message management module 95 extracts the number P from the item Pi reached, the identification A of the train 80, the nature of the request, for example a request to circulate on the next sector Si. the station Pi in the direction of the train running indicated by the LR channel, and supplements these detection and location data A, P, LR, in a next step 23, any additional data available in the memory 50 and introduced by the PC head under the HMI. This additional data can for example specify the composition of the train A, the specificities of the station Pi, the various radio channels used according to the routes and the direction of traffic, the urgency of the routing of the train A, etc.

• lors de l'étape 25, le train TTX précédant immédiatement le train A sur la voie 100', roulant dans le même sens 101 et le secteur Sj ou le poste Pj où il se trouve,
• lors de l'étape 26, le train TTX le plus proche venant à la rencontre du train A sur la voie 100' (si cette voie est banalisée) et le secteur Sk ou le poste Pk où il se trouve,
• lors de l'étape 27, si la ligne comporte deux voies, la localisation S1 du chantier élémentaire CE le plus proche du secteur Si et situé sur la voie 100" adjacente à la voie 100' empruntée par le train A.

The detection and location data are transmitted to the processing module 96, which, in the following steps, searches successively in the memory 60:

• during step 25, the TTX train immediately preceding the train A on the track 100 ', traveling in the same direction 101 and the sector Sj or the station Pj where it is located,
• during step 26, the nearest TTX train meeting the train A on the track 100 '(if this track is unmarked) and the sector Sk or the post Pk where it is located,
• in step 27, if the line comprises two lanes, the location S1 of the elementary shipyard CE closest to the sector Si and located on the lane 100 "adjacent to the lane 100 'taken by the train A.

• le train TTX A peut circuler en canton sur le secteur Si, auquel cas, lors d'une étape 31, un message M est émis en réponse au message M1 avec une mention "circulation en canton sur le secteur Si",
• le train TTX A peut circuler sur le secteur Si en marche à vue, auquel cas le message M3 émis, lors d'une étape 32, comporte une mention "circulation en travail sur le secteur Si",
• le train TTX A doit attendre au panneau de fin de poste du poste Pi une autorisation ultérieure pour circuler sur le secteur Si, auquel cas, lors d'une étape 33, un message M2 lui est renvoyé.

Each of the steps 25, 26, 27 then calculates the numbers N1, N2, N3 of train free sectors between the sector Si and the sectors Sj and Sk, or the location S2. These numbers N1, N2, N3 are compared with minima n1, n2, n3 not to be exceeded, in a step 28, to decide, depending on whether the minimum concerned is exceeded or not, that:

• the train TTX A can circulate in canton on the sector Si, in which case, during a step 31, a message M is issued in response to the message M1 with a mention "circulation in canton on the sector Si",
• the train TTX A can circulate on the sector Si in sight, in which case the message M3 issued, during a step 32, includes a mention "circulation in work on the sector Si",
• the train TTX A must wait at the end post panel of the post Pi a subsequent authorization to circulate on the sector If, in which case, in a step 33, a message M2 is returned.

At the end of processing, in a step 40, the management module 95 updates the logbook in the storage means 50 and the synoptic panel 70 in the storage means 60.

The minimums n1, n2, n3 not to be exceeded depend on the security conditions established in advance.

In routine use of the system, the conditions can be adopted $$\{\begin{array}{l}\mathrm{NOT}\mathrm{1}\mathrm{=}\left|\mathrm{j}\mathrm{-}\mathrm{i}\right|\mathrm{/}\mathrm{2}\\ \mathrm{not}\mathrm{1}\mathrm{=}\mathrm{1}\mathrm{and\; N}\mathrm{1}\mathrm{\ge }\mathrm{not}\mathrm{1}\end{array}$$

In this case, a train B can not engage on a sector If already occupied by a train A rolling in the same direction. $$\{\begin{array}{l}\mathrm{NOT}\mathrm{2}\mathrm{=}\left|\mathrm{k}\mathrm{-}\mathrm{i}\right|\mathrm{/}\mathrm{2}\\ \mathrm{not}\mathrm{2}\mathrm{=}\mathrm{2}\mathrm{,}\mathrm{NOT}\mathrm{2}\mathrm{\ge }\mathrm{not}\mathrm{2}\end{array}$$

In this case, a train B traveling in one direction can not enter a sector Si if a train A traveling in the opposite direction on the same track occupies the sector S _{i + 2} . $$\{\begin{array}{l}\mathrm{NOT}\mathrm{3}\mathrm{=}\left|1-\mathrm{i}-1\right|\mathrm{/}\mathrm{2}\\ \mathrm{not}\mathrm{3}\mathrm{=}\mathrm{1}\mathrm{and\; N}\mathrm{3}\mathrm{\ge }\mathrm{not}\mathrm{3}\end{array}$$

In this case, the traffic flow in the sector S ₁ is imposed only if the adjacent sector S _{i + 1} is in the EC building site, otherwise the train can circulate in the canton.

In accordance with the above security levels, the synoptic panel, viewed on the screen 70, can take the appearance shown in FIG. figure 8 .

In this figure, three lines in construction, L1, L2, L3, have been represented, each of them having two channels V1 and V2, and on each channel, the sectors Si, extending between the end stations Pi, or of origin according to the direction of circulation, i-2, i, i + 2, ..., as well as the adjacent sectors S _{i + 1} between the stations P _{i + 1} .

Each line L1, L2, L3 illustrates one of the three previous control cases exerted by the help system 400, namely:

On the line L1, channel V1, a train-work B occupies the sector S1 (i-2) or the station P1i, occupation displayed on the panel 70, and requests to circulate in Canton on the sector S1i. The help system 400 finds that it is preceded by a train-work A occupying sector S1j also visualized, j being here equal to i + 2. j-i being greater than or equal to n1, the authorization can be given, no train running on the sector Si.

On the line L2, the situation of the train B is the same, but the train A occupies the sector S1k or the post Plk, k being equal to i + 4. k-i being greater than or equal to n2, the authorization can still be given, no train running on the stations or sectors Pi and Pi + 2, Si and Si + 2.

On the line L3, the sector S31, with 1 = i + 1, of the adjacent path V2 being in EC building site, 1-i-1 being zero, only an authorization to circulate in work on the sector S3i can be given.

The authorization is then definitively given only if these three verifications are made and the security conditions respected.

Claims (15)

1. Method for assisting work trains (TTXA, TTXB, ...) to run on a railway line (200) under construction with two adjacent two-way working (101, 102) tracks (100', 100") which are managed from a central control PC by a PC head, in which

   - the tracks (100', 100") are split up into sectors Si which extend (130, 150, ...) between two end posts Pi (i and i+2) on which the trains can run in block operation or when working,

   - upon a request (2) for authorisation (M1) to run in block operation in one direction (101) on a given sector Si by an escort operative of a train (B) to the PC head,

   - a check is made whether another train (A) is running on the sector under consideration Si,

   - a check is made whether another train (A) is running on the following sector S_i+2 in the opposite direction (102),

   - a check is made whether the adjacent sector S_i+1 of the adjacent track (100") is being worked upon (CE), and

   - if the three checks are negative,

   - authorisation (M3) is given (8) by the PC head to the escort operative to run his train (B) in block operation.
2. Method according to claim 1, in which, each post (Pi) delimiting one sector (Si) and extending over a certain length (120, 140, ...),

   - a check is made that no train (A) is running in the opposite direction over the post i+2 terminating the sector Si under consideration

   - in order to authorise (8) running in block operation on the sector Si under consideration.
3. Method according to one of the claims 1 and 2, in which a train leaving a set of sidings (196) of a marshalling zone (197) of a works base (198) uses a junction line post (199) before running on the line, an operative for the points-marshalling post (195), after agreement of the PC head (194), controlling the itinerary provided by the junction line post (199).
4. Method according to claim 3, in which, after activating the points of the junction line post (199), the operative for the points-marshalling post gives authorisation for the train to leave the set of sidings (196) in order to run on the line (200).
5. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, in which there is signalled to the work train (TTXA, TTXB) that it is reaching a start (121, 141, 221, 241 ...) or an end (122, 142, 222, 242, ...) of the post Pi, and

   - when it reaches a start of the post Pi, the train runs until it is situated completely over the length of the post and the escort operative then makes (2) a request (M1) to the PC head to run in block operation on the following sector Si, and

   - when it reaches an end (122, 222, 142, 242, ...) of the post Pi, it complies with an order (M2) to wait (7) or with an authorisation (M3) to run (8) on the sector Si.
6. System (400) for assisting work trains (TTXA, TTXB) to run on a railway line under construction with two adjacent two-way working (101, 102) tracks (100', 100") which are managed from a central control PC by a PC head, the tracks being split up into sectors Si which extend (130, 150, ...) between two end posts Pi (i and i+2) on which the trains can run in block operation or when working, the system comprising

   - a computer (94) at the central control (90) comprising management means and data processing means (95, 96, 97) and a display panel (70) showing use of the line under construction, having at least the tracks thereof, the sectors thereof and the end posts thereof,

   - means (81, 91) for communicating between the PC head and the escort operatives of the work trains for a request (M1) for authorisation, to run in block operation in one direction (101, 102) on a given sector Si, from an escort operative of a train to the PC head,

   - means (50) for storing the messages (Mi),

   - means (121, 122, 141, 142, ..., 221, 222, 241, 242, ...; 82) for locating a train on the sectors of the line, connected (81, LR, 91) to the computer,

   - means (123, 124) for detecting the direction of movement of a train on the sectors of the line, connected (81, LR, 91) to the computer, and

   - means (98) for inputting the work state (CE) in the sectors, connected to the computer, and

   - processing means (96) processing the data of the detection and location means in order that, if

   a) no other train is running on a sector under consideration Si,

   b) no other train is running on the following sector Si+2 in the opposite direction,

   c) the adjacent sector Si+1 of the sector Si of the adjacent track is not being worked upon,

   the PC head authorises (8) the escort operative of a train to run in block operation on the sector under consideration Si from the end i to the end i+2.
7. System according to claim 6, in which a sector Si is represented on the display (70) of the central control PC as occupied overall as soon as a work train is running there.
8. System according to one of the claims 6 and 7, in which the means for locating trains on the sectors Si comprise

   - signalling systems (121, 122, 141, 142, ..., 221, 222, 241, 242, ...) for the start and end of the end posts Pi delimiting the sectors Si at the ends thereof and identifying the posts and the sectors,

   - means (81, 82) for communicating between the train and the central control (90) provided for exchanging messages (Mi), in particular requests (M1), orders to wait (N2) or authorisations (M3).
9. System according to claim 8, in which the signal systems comprise danger sign indicators.
10. System according to claim 8, in which the signal systems comprise radioelectrical markers.
11. System according to one of the claims 6 to 10, in which the signal systems supply a number (P) for the post Pi.
12. System according to one of the claims 6 to 11, in which the signal systems supply a channel number LR.
13. System according to claim 12, in which the channel LR is specific to the running direction.
14. System according to one of the claims 6 to 13, in which the requests (M1) for authorisation include the identification (A) of the train.
15. System according to one of the claims 6 to 14, in which the processing means (96) are provided for deducing, from the occupation state of the sectors Si which is stored in the storage means (60, 50) and from a message (M1) requesting a train TTXA to run, the running conditions of this train, and for deciding if it can run or not in block operation.

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