National Electronic Sectional Appendix
Encyclopedia
In Great Britain, the Sectional Appendix is a railway document compiled by Network Rail
and is the official definition of railway infrastructure, giving a detailed description of all railway lines owned by Network Rail. It has traditionally been published in printed format, originally as a bound book and subsequently in loose-leaf format, for ease of updating.
s. As the volume of instructions increased, they later came to be published in a separate document, known in full as the "Sectional Appendix to the Working Timetable" or similar.
Outline maps providing a general overview of the route showing lines, station names, and reference numbers. The numbers relate to pages in the detailed Table A diagrams.
Exceptionally poor rail adhesion
This is a list of known areas for exceptionally poor railhead conditions. It states the route, location, lines affected, and the mileage references between which it occurs.
Table A diagrams
This section comprises the main bulk of the module, and contains detailed maps. Information available includes;
All distances are given in miles
and chains.
Special Working Arrangement
Special arrangement is a condition where a speciific location requires there to be an operational variance to the Rulebook, or an addition to it. This section details a route, locations where the arrangement begins and ends, the type of train this applies to, the line affected, and details of the operation.
alternative to hard copy Sectional Appendices, although the latter are still being published and can be bought on-line, direct from Willsons Printers of Newark
. Willsons also supply the various parts of the Rule Book in printed form and other items such as the AC Electrified Lines
Instructions.
Extracts from NESA are made available on The Network Rail website.
Network Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
and is the official definition of railway infrastructure, giving a detailed description of all railway lines owned by Network Rail. It has traditionally been published in printed format, originally as a bound book and subsequently in loose-leaf format, for ease of updating.
History
In earlier years, instructions to traincrews relating to the operation of the railway were included within the working timetableWorking timetable
A Working timetable is a set of schedules that show all the planned train movements in a defined area. The trains included may be passenger trains, freight trains, empty stock movements, or even bus and/or ship connections or replacements....
s. As the volume of instructions increased, they later came to be published in a separate document, known in full as the "Sectional Appendix to the Working Timetable" or similar.
Content
There are modules for different areas, e.g. KSW2 covers Kent and Sussex. Each module may be divided in a similar way to the following sections:Section 1: Route Module
MapsOutline maps providing a general overview of the route showing lines, station names, and reference numbers. The numbers relate to pages in the detailed Table A diagrams.
Exceptionally poor rail adhesion
This is a list of known areas for exceptionally poor railhead conditions. It states the route, location, lines affected, and the mileage references between which it occurs.
Table A diagrams
This section comprises the main bulk of the module, and contains detailed maps. Information available includes;
- Name, maximum speed and direction of running lines
- Location of junctions and crossovers, and the maximum speed across them
- Name of Signal box/signalling centre controlling the lines
- NRN and Cab Secure RadioCab Secure RadioCab Secure Radio is an in-cab analogue radiotelephone system used on parts of the British railway network. Its main function is to provide a secure speech link between the train driver and the signaller which cannot be overheard by other train drivers...
area coverage details - Name and location of stations, platform identities and the maximum number or coach lengths they can accommodate
- Location and names of bridges, crossings and all significant infrastructure
- Location of sidings, yards, sheds, stabling and maintenance facilities
- Location of Electrical control rooms, and type of Traction current supply where applicable
- Location of Electrical substations and Track paralleling huts where applicable
All distances are given in miles
Geographical mile
The geographical mile is a unit of length determined by 1 minute of arc along the Earth's equator. For the 1924 International Spheroid this equalled 1855.4 metres...
and chains.
Special Working Arrangement
Special arrangement is a condition where a speciific location requires there to be an operational variance to the Rulebook, or an addition to it. This section details a route, locations where the arrangement begins and ends, the type of train this applies to, the line affected, and details of the operation.
Section 2: Route Availability
This is a list of which train types are permitted to travel over each route referenced to Table A. It specifies every class of train allowed, sectionalised by type;- Route Clearance of Diesel Multiple Unit Trains
- Route Clearance of Electric Multiple Unit Trains
- Route Clearance of Coaching Stock
- Route Clearance of Locomotives
Section 3: General Instructions
Provides general information pertaining to operations over the whole area/route.Section 4: Local Instructions
Provides detailed information relating to specific practices at given locations.National Electronic Sectional Appendix
The "National Electronic Sectional Appendix" (NESA) is an onlineONLINE
ONLINE is a magazine for information systems first published in 1977. The publisher Online, Inc. was founded the year before. In May 2002, Information Today, Inc. acquired the assets of Online Inc....
alternative to hard copy Sectional Appendices, although the latter are still being published and can be bought on-line, direct from Willsons Printers of Newark
Newark-on-Trent
Newark-on-Trent is a market town in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands region of England. It stands on the River Trent, the A1 , and the East Coast Main Line railway. The origins of the town are possibly Roman as it lies on an important Roman road, the Fosse Way...
. Willsons also supply the various parts of the Rule Book in printed form and other items such as the AC Electrified Lines
Railway electrification in Great Britain
Railway electrification in Great Britain started towards of the 19th century. A great range of voltages have been used in the intervening period using both overhead lines and third rails, however the most common standard for mainline services is now 25 kV AC using overhead lines and the...
Instructions.
Extracts from NESA are made available on The Network Rail website.