Branch line
Branch lines are Railroads minor ( "secondary " ) meaning that have simplified the construction and operation as opposed to the main track.
History
As the construction and operation of the main paths is not always covered by the income, they began to look for simplifications. In 1865 the company had set up principles for secondary paths, the Technician Meeting of the Association of German Railway Administrations. These were set on 1 July 1878 the railway order for German railways minor importance as an imperial law in force.
The main changes to the existing main railway operation were:
- Elimination of the train guard
- Once daily monitoring of railway tracks (instead of three times a day )
- Less vacant brakes
- No rail fencing
- Elimination of Barriers at level crossings
- Absence of signals at stations
- More generous wear limits on the tires of cars and locomotives
Regulated with similar legal frameworks, financing, construction and operation, the foundations for the development of the area have been created by inexpensive rail networks from the end of the 19th century in several European countries. In Austria this was the original time-limited law of 25 May 1880 concerning the concessions and benefits for Local Railways, whose validity has been extended several times. In addition, the Crown Lands permitted to create its own national railway organizations, such as the Lower Austrian State Railways and the still existing Styrian Railways. In the United Kingdom was adopted in 1896 with the Light Railways Act, a law regulating the construction and operation of railways simplified design.
Legal framework
Germany
A definition of main and branch lines are there in the Railway Construction and Operation (EBO ). The § 1 Paragraph 2 reads:
Distinguishing features are mentioned in the following paragraphs of EEO:
- § 5 gauge - allowed for branch lines narrow gauge,
- § 6 track curve radii - less than 300 m is permitted for branch lines,
- § 7 pitch - allowed for branch lines on the open road to 40 ‰,
- § 8 axle load,
- § 11 crossings - allowed for branch lines not technically secure transitions,
- § 13 platforms,
- § 14 signals and points - simplified with branch lines Signal System admissible
- § 15 block system, automatic train control - allowed for branch lines Zugleitbetrieb,
- § 16 telecommunications equipment and
- § 40- speed - with branch lines up to 100 km / h
Branch lines are basically a simpler design or for an easier operation. Most branch lines are single track. The speed limit for passenger trains up to 100 km / h for freight trains and in general for most gaps 80 km / h or less. At Deutsche Reichsbahn in the GDR were here even stricter standards. The speed limit on secondary lines was 60 km / h; she could be 80 km / h if the train control systems at more than 60 km / h which corresponded to the main lines.
Austria
§ 4 of the Railways Act 1957 defines branch lines as for public transport certain railways, unless they are the main trains or trams.
Switzerland
Article 2 of the Railways Act was to 2009 ( Repealed by No. II 13 of the Act of 20 March 2009 on the reform path 2, with effect from 1 Jan. 2010. )
Czechia
In the Czech Republic is similar to that in the German-speaking countries, a classification of the rail network by general government tracks ( " celostátní dráha " ) and regional trains ( " regionální Railways "). By decree of the Czech Government of 20 December 1995 128 Railroads in the Czech Republic were declared regional railways.