What’s the ‘clearing point’ or ‘fouling point’ or ‘fouling mark’? What is ‘overlap’?

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What’s the ‘clearing point’ or ‘fouling point’ or ‘fouling mark’? What is ‘overlap’?

July 16, 2019, 12:09 PM

The clearing point is the point ahead of a stop signal up to which the track must be kept clear of obstructions in order for a train to be accepted from the rear of the signal. In most cases this is with reference to home or outer home signals guarding entrance to station limits from a block section. The distance from the stop signal to the clearing point is the overlap (also overrun, or clearing distance).

The overlap is usually about 400m or so with lower-quadrant or 2-aspect signalling, and 180m with modified lower-quadrant, upper-quadrant, or MACL signalling where warners or distants protect the approach to the stop signal. No trains may be parked to the rear of the clearing point on the track protected by the stop signal. This provides a margin of safety in case a train overshoots a stop signal which is on, because of brake failure, driver inattention, etc.

The fouling point or fouling mark is a point to the rear of a converging junction, such that a train must be to the rear of that point in order to ensure that any train moving on the other converging line can proceed without being obstructed.

Stop signals guarding convergences are usually placed some distance to the rear of the fouling point for the junction; this distance is also known as the overlap, and again, provides a margin of safety against trains overshooting the stop signal. A similar safety distance is maintained ahead of the last stop signal of a station, before pulling off signals for a departing train; this is usually 120m or so.

Fouling points are usually marked by a stone or cement slab with ‘FP’ written on it by the side of the tracks.

The fouling point may also be marked for a siding to indicate that a rake must be stopped beyond it in order to avoid obstructing other trains passing by on the through tracks or on to other sidings. A number on it indicates the number of standard coaches or wagons that may be safely stabled on that siding.

Source – IFRCA.org

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